Stay safe whilst you swim

As the weather begins to brighten up, the SCDF would like to remind you of the dangers of swimming in dangerous areas.

The campaign looks to tackle and reduce deaths in our local area due to drowning by encouraging children and young adults to swim in safe life-guarded areas.

Steve Leonard, Saints Community Development Foundation’s Director mentioned:

“With school holidays approaching and the current warm weather, we want to warn those planning to swim in areas that are unsafe and not under the watchful eye of a lifeguard. Even strong and confident swimmers can struggle and drown after jumping into cold and unpredictable seas, rivers, canals, and lakes where temperatures can be as low as 15C, even in the summer. The depth of the water itself is a whole different danger, and you’ll probably have no idea how far down the water goes until it’s too late”.

“The message is incredibly important, especially after a number of drowning-related deaths within the northwest, we need to get this message out as far as possible…”

If you can’t stand up in a lake or quarry, there will be no way to recover from the shock of the temperature – and you increase your risk of drowning. Why risk it?

What’s more, there won’t be any trained lifeguards there to help you if you get into trouble, and you never know what dangers lurk beneath the surface.

Jagged rocks, discarded rubbish or strong currents could be hidden out of sight, and swimming in quarries is even less attractive when you think about what else may be lurking in the water.

Why not visit your local swimming baths this summer?

Swimming has many benefits, just 30 minutes of swimming three times a week alongside a balanced, healthy diet and lifestyle is one of the best ways to stay fit and healthy and maintain a positive mental outlook. Do it with friends, and it’s even more fun! We believe that local swimming baths and safe life-guarded areas is the way to go this summer, Why risk your life?

There are many local swimming baths that are open throughout the day that you and your friends can visit this summer, for example:

• Queens Park Baths
• Everlast Gyms Milverny
• Ruskin Drive fitness club
• Mercure Haydock
• Pyramid Leisure