Swimmers urged to stay safe in water during summer
People are being urged to stay safe and not take risks around rivers, reservoirs and lochs this summer.
Scottish Water is also calling for children and parents to take particular care during the summer holidays and any spells of warm weather.
Latest figures from the National Water Safety Forum show that, in 2017, a total of 255 people drowned in the UK, 46 of which were in Scotland.
Scottish Water’s call for people to stay safe in and around water has been echoed by Olympic and Commonwealth Games swimmer Duncan Scott, who is leading Scottish Swimming’s Learn to Swim campaign which is supported by Scottish Water.
Duncan, who won six medals at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, said: ‘I think the Learn to Swim programme is helping to spread awareness about water safety across Scotland in addition to helping thousands of kids learn to swim.
‘We are surrounded by coastline and thousands of lochs, rivers and reservoirs so it is incredibly important that people, including youngsters, are able to swim and are safe whenever and wherever they swim.’
Dams, steep banks, spillways (overflows), deep cold water and underwater pipe work can be hazards at reservoirs. And the majority of Scottish Water’s reservoirs are in remote locations, meaning there is a lack of immediate assistance and mobile reception can be poor.
Scottish Water’s advice is also targeted at pet owners. One of the biggest concerns with dog owners is when their pet jumps into water. The pet more often survives such incidents, but the owners, who have attempted to save them, sometimes do not.
Dogs need to be kept on a lead if they are being walked near reservoirs and other bodies of water.