With the sunshine out and temperatures rising, the River Trent and Trent and Mersey Canal might look like the perfect place to cool off. But what looks tempting can quickly turn dangerous.
Authorities are urging parents to have a quick chat with their children about the risks of swimming or jumping into open water around Stone.
Even if it’s warm outside, the water can be cold enough to cause shock. This can make it hard to breathe or swim, even for strong swimmers. The depth is unpredictable, and you can’t always see what’s under the surface. There could be rubbish, tree branches, or even shopping trolleys hidden beneath.
There’s often no safety equipment nearby, and it can be really hard to get out once you’re in, especially with slippery banks or strong currents. Jumping in, especially from height, might seem fun, but there’s no way of knowing how deep it is or what’s underneath.
Water quality is another risk. Algae or pollution from farms or nearby industry can cause illness.
A few years ago, a teenager needed rescuing by air ambulance after getting into difficulty in the River Trent. It’s a reminder of how things can go wrong very quickly.
Read more here: https://alittlebitofstone.com/2020/06/16/air-ambulance-attends-stone-after-teenage-girl-gets-into-difficulty-in-the-river-trent/
Please enjoy the sunshine, but stay safe and steer clear of unsupervised open water.
