As the weather warms up, we know many of you will be heading to rivers, lakes, and reservoirs to cool off. While open water may look inviting, it can be extremely dangerous. 

Key dangers of swimming in open water: 

• Cold Water Shock: Even on hot days, water temperatures can be dangerously low, causing your body to go into shock and making it hard to breathe or swim. 

• Hidden Hazards: Rocks, strong currents, and underwater debris can trap or injure swimmers. 

• No Lifeguards: Most open water locations are not supervised, meaning help may not be available in an emergency. 

Our advice: 

• Swim only in designated, supervised areas. 

• Never swim alone. 

• Avoid alcohol before or during swimming. 

• If you see someone in trouble, call 999 – don’t enter the water yourself. 

Barbecues are a summer favourite, but they can quickly become dangerous if not handled properly. 

BBQ safety reminders: 

• Always keep your BBQ on a flat, stable surface away from fences, trees, and sheds. 

• Never use petrol or other accelerants to light your BBQ. 

• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby in case of emergencies. 

• Never leave a lit BBQ unattended. 

After you're done, make sure the BBQ is completely cool before disposing of coals.

Over recent weeks we’ve been called to a number of fires caused by improperly discarded cigarettes. We are urging people to remember the following: 

• Always fully extinguish cigarettes before disposal. 

• Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows. 

• Use proper ashtrays or bins – not the ground. 

Let’s work together to prevent avoidable fires and keep our community safe.