Emergency services are warning people of the dangers of open water swimming as the hot weather continues across England.
Police and Firefighters from Melton have been patrolling hotspots to deter people from swimming in open water to cool off from the recent hot weather hitting our region.
Police officers from Melton Police Station in King Street issued a warning on their Facebook page earlier this week after carrying out regular patrols across the town including Melton Country Park.
Hot weather is set to continue across our region in the coming days. Photo: NEMM
In a Facebook post Youth Engagement Officer PCSO Tracey Biggs posted: "Please, please stay out of the water, it’s very tempting in this hot weather but there are many hidden hazards and debris underneath the water which can cause serious injury.
Melton Police, Melton Borough Council and the Fire Service will be patrolling the Country Parks together in the next few weeks to talk to our young people of Melton about these dangers. "
PCSO Tracey Biggs patrolling Melton Country Park. Photo: Tracey Biggs/Facebook/Leicestershire Police
Firefighters from Melton Mowbray Fire & Rescue Station have also been out and about including the Community Fire Cycle Crew who have also patrolled hot spots to offer advice to residents in the area thinking of cooling off in local rivers or reservoirs.
Firefighter David Postle from Melton Mowbray CFCC on patrol down 'Petfoods River'. Photo: David Postle/Facebook/Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service
On Facebook they said: "Today the on-Call firefighters from Melton have been out promoting our Community Fire Cycle Crew “CFCC” they have been in and around Melton giving safety advice on how to avoid accidental fires while also engaging with local teenagers where they educated them on the dangers of swimming in lakes and rivers.
This was a very proactive session where they also visited Petfoods river. Had a discussion with the Melton Country Park committee warden about the area. Chatted to numerous families in and around the country park and gave out activity packs to young children.
Prevention is a key part of a Firefighters role and education is a key prevention method that we use to help people avoid dangerous situations. "
The warnings come as the Met Office has issued an amber 'extreme heat warning' for the comings days starting on Sunday.
The warning means population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life.
Government advice is that 999 services should be used in emergencies only; seek advice from 111 if you need non-emergency health advice
Temperatures are likely to peak in excess of 35°C in southern, central and eastern areas of England, and more widely around 32°C within the warning area. Tuesday currently looks to see the peak of this heat, although exceptional warmth is likely throughout the warning period.
A Level 3 UK Health Security Agency Heat Health Alert, which is aimed at those specifically in the health and social care sector, has also been issued by the from Saturday to Tuesday, advising people to look out for vulnerable people and those with underlying health conditions.
Heatwave criteria, when specific temperature thresholds must be exceeded three days running, had already been met in some locations earlier this week, and are expected to be met again by early next week.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wardle said: “From Sunday, but more likely Monday and Tuesday, peak maximum temperatures are likely be in excess of 35°C, especially across central, southern and eastern England, with a chance of some locations being even hotter. Elsewhere, maxima will generally range from high 20s to low 30s of Celsius. This, coupled with overnight minima not falling below 20°C in many locations, has considerable potential to cause widespread societal impacts, which is behind the issue of an Amber Extreme heat warning.”
Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service are also warning people to take care when out and about enjoying the hot weather.
A Fire Service statement said: "We would like to remind everybody to stay safe when having a BBQ, dispose of and put cigarettes out properly and DON'T go in open water!!
If you are in the sun remember to wear sun cream and stay hydrated.
Keep an eye on people you know to be at risk, stay tuned in to the weather forecast, check ambient room temperatures and ensure cool areas are below 26 degrees
Most importantly have fun and enjoy the hot weather"
Comments