Warning to stay safe around water during warm weather

Safety: Scottish Water issues reminder of ‘many hidden dangers’

The public has been urged to stay safe and not take risks around rivers, reservoirs and lochs this summer.

The warning from Scottish Water came a day after a kayaker drowned in a Perthshire loch.

The 50-year-old Edinburgh man was pulled from Loch Tummel after a major rescue attempt on Sunday afternoon.

It also follows the deaths of three people in three years at Prestonhill Quarry in Inverkeithing.

Scottish Water said children and parents should take particular care during the summer holidays and any spells of warm weather.

New figures from the National Water Safety Forum show that last year 255 people died due to unintentional drowning in the UK, including 46 in Scotland.

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s chief operating officer, said: “While the water may look harmless, there are many hidden dangers.

“We need to ensure children and parents are aware of these hazards.

“We are reminding parents to keep their children safe and asking adults to act responsibly around water courses.”

Dogs should be kept on a lead if being walked beside bodies of open water.

Hazards at reservoirs include dams, steep banks, overflows, deep cold water and underwater pipes.

They are usually in remote locations, meaning there is no immediate assistance and mobile reception can be poor.

ROSPA Scotland community safety development officer Carlene Mcavoy said: “One of the main dangers of open water is cold-water shock, when the low temperature of water will affect the body’s normal functions and lead to someone getting into trouble. It can even affect the most confident swimmers.

“It’s important to remember that even if it’s a hot day, the water can still be cold – it only needs to be 15 degrees or lower for cold-water shock to kick in.”

cwarrender@thecourier.co.uk

Prestonhill Quarry, scene of three fatalities in three years.