Published Thursday 28 July 2016 at 11:20
North West water company United Utilities has launched a summer safety campaign to warn people against swimming in unsuitable waters.
Blackburn with Darwen Council is backing the project and urging people to take extra precautions when they go swimming.
Cooling off in a reservoir may seem tempting this summer but the consequences could be fatal, with around 400 drownings in UK reservoirs, quarries and other inland waters every year.
Water in reservoirs is cold enough to numb limbs and induce hypothermia whilst hidden currents and steep sides present further dangers.
Arshid Mahmood, executive member for Neighbourhood and Prevention Services, said:
We want everyone in Blackburn to have a fantastic, fun-packed summer, but urge people to stay out of reservoirs.
Those who take the plunge can find themselves in serious difficulty within seconds. And as reservoirs are often in isolated places, there may be no one around to help, or sound the alarm.
Please don’t become another tragic statistic this summer.
United Utilities have prepared top five reasons not to enter a reservoir:
- Icy cold: reservoir temperatures rarely get above 10 degrees, even in summer. They are cold enough to take your breath away, make your arms and legs numb, and induce hypothermia.
- Deep and deadly: reservoirs are often extremely deep, with sudden drops you cannot see.
- Hidden hazards: hidden currents and obstacles below the surface, such as machinery for water treatment, broken glass or other rubbish, is commonplace.
- Once you’re in…. it’s hard to get out. The sides of reservoirs are often very steep.
- Far from help: reservoirs are often in isolated places. If you get into trouble, there may be no one around to help. By the time emergency services arrive, it could be too late.
The company owns more than 180 reservoirs across the North West, many surrounded by public access land.
Health and safety director at United Utilities Mark Byard said:
We’re not trying to be killjoys or to prevent people from enjoying the summer. The risks of reservoir swimming are very real – and we want people to stay safe.
Click here for more information on water safety, including a range of educational resources and real life stories, videos and fact sheets.