Latest news with #drowningprevention
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
'It is not worth dying for a dip': Warning issued as temperatures soar
A warning has been issued over swimming in open water as temperatures soar. It is anticipated to push towards 30 degrees Celsius across the region today (Friday). And Greater Manchester Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said they are urging people to be 'be careful around open water.' READ MORE: "I can't change it, but wow am I paying for it": Mum gets STUCK in Turkey after making 'worst mistake of my life' in hotel room while drunk with boyfriend READ MORE: Mum, 40, and daughter, 8, found dead at home as more details heard into tragedy GMFRS said there been four deaths in water in the last twelve weeks alone – more than caused by fire in the same time. They have attended 23 fatal water incidents since April last year and 65 since April 2020, they said. In a statement issued as part of Drowning Prevention Week, they said 'water is often a lot shallower than it appears, and hidden hazards lurk below the surface', and that cold water shock can be fatal, even to strong swimmers. They urged people who may get into trouble to 'float to live' and tilt their head back with their ears submerged and for bystanders or witnesses to 'call, tell, throw' - ring 999, tell the person to float and to throw something for them to grab on. Area Manager Billy Fenwick, Head of Prevention at GMFRS, said: 'It is vitally important that everyone knows, even strong swimmers, that there are always dangers with open water. Cold water shock can kill, and there are often hazards in water that are not seen from the surface. It is not worth dying for a dip. 'If you see someone in trouble in the water, remember: 'Float to Live'. "Always call 999 and ask for fire - or the coastguard by sea - if you see someone struggling in water, tell them to float and throw them a float aid if there is one nearby. 'We will be emphasising these messages throughout the summer and working with local communities and schools to get this across.' -- For the latest stories and breaking news visit Get the latest headlines, features and analysis that matter to you by signing up to our various Manchester Evening News newsletters here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to stay up to date with the us on X @mennewsdesk for all the latest stories and updates on breaking incidents from across the region and beyond, as well as on our Facebook page you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our newsdesk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Enjuris 2025 Guide on Swimming Pool Safety, Fence Requirements by State, and Legal Liability
From state-by-state fence laws to liability risks and drowning stats, here's what every homeowner, landlord, and vacation rental host needs to know TAMPA, FL, UNITED STATES, June 18, 2025 / / -- As the summer season begins and families across the U.S. head outdoors, a new resource from Enjuris provides life-saving information on swimming pool safety, state-by-state fence laws, and legal liability for accidents and drownings. This in-depth guide includes: State-specific pool fence requirements, including height, spacing, alarms, and barrier types; Expert recommendations on the most effective pool fences for preventing child access; Legal analysis of homeowner and property liability in swimming pool injury and drowning cases; Recent statistics on child drownings in residential pools, vacation rentals, and public spaces; and Practical tips to reduce legal risk and enhance poolside safety. The CDC reports that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1 to 4 in the U.S. The goal of Enjuris and its partners is to help families and property owners understand both the safety best practices and the legal responsibilities tied to pool ownership. The resource is available now at: We invite swimming pool safety organizations, injury prevention advocates, attorneys, and property managers to share this guide with their networks or include it as a trusted resource on their websites. Melissa Gold Enjuris email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
South Yorkshire fire chief calls for minister for drownings
South Yorkshire's most senior firefighter has met MPs to call for the government to do more to prevent lives lost to fire officer Chris Kirby visited Parliament this week as part of the Royal Life Saving Society's (RLSS) Drowning Prevention joined the group in asking for a change in the law, as drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in the UK, but has no dedicated minister in Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is called when people swimming in open water during warm weather get into difficulties. Mr Kirby said: "What we've noticed in the fire and rescue service over the last 10 years is the significant increase in the number of people who are getting into difficulties within the water."They often don't intend to climb in the water, but our climate is getting warmer and we're having sustained periods of warm weather so people will be attracted to the water."We want to encourage people to swim safely, understand their limitations, and we're just calling out more awareness for water safety matters."We also want there to be a government minister responsible for water safety in England and also want the government to realise that responding to emergencies is not a statutory duty for fire and rescue services in England, yet it is in the devolved nations including Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland." He also issued advice for people who may find themselves in difficulty in the water this Kirby said: "We want to make sure they know how to float by laying on their back, keeping their head above water, and gently paddling their arms and legs and breathing normally."When people start to panic they are much more likely to get into difficulties."We also recommend people to never swim alone, do it with friends or at least make sure there is somebody to call 999 if anyone does get into difficulty." Also attending the event was Simon Haycock, whose son Sam died in Ulley Reservoir, near Rotherham, in said he was continuing to share the story of Sam's death as the dangers of open water still needed said: "Seeing South Yorkshire Police recently put out a warning about young people being seen swimming at the reservoir made me feel gutted as it is painful to hear people are still going in there."These waters are not safe to swim in and most of the places people swim in, they're not thinking about their strategy of, 'how am I going to get out', or 'how hard is it going to be if I get in trouble for someone to come rescue me?' "There's all these factors and risk assessing that they are not doing – they are just having fun and they are putting themselves in danger without even knowing it."We've learnt the hard way and we don't want other families going through what we went through as it's heartbreaking, We were robbed of a future with Sam just for him having a bit of fun."The BBC has contacted the government for a response. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
City to identify ‘drop' hazards at Britannia Beach following safety audit
A lifeguard works at Britannia Beach in Ottawa, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang The City of Ottawa is implementing changes to the swimming area at Britannia Beach following an audit conducted to reduce the risk of drowning or injuries. The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario recommended the 'lifesaving audit' at city beaches last year after three people drowned at Britannia Beach between 2020 and 2023 from standing or wading close to a 'drop off' area where water depth drops from two feet to 10 feet. In July 2024, a 9-year-old boy died after being found unresponsive in the Ottawa River at the popular west end beach. In a memo to the mayor and councillors Monday afternoon, the city's general manager of recreation, cultural and facility services Dan Chenier says several changes have been made to better define the beach's swimming area and to improve markings at drop off points. The modifications include installing swimming buoy lines at least 300 millimetres from the start of the dredged swimming area and marking the sloped areas with a lane rope. Anchored cautionary buoys will also be changed to an orange/yellow colour instead of white to enhance visibility. Larger sized buoys will be used to replace the buoy line rope used in prior years, Chenier writes. Britannia Beach A map showing the new buoy line indicating drop off points at the Britannia Beach swimming area. (City of Ottawa/Provided) The city engaged Stantec Consulting Ltd. to review, assess and recommend measures to address river bottom variations and sandbars in proximity to the swimming area. 'Stantec has provided the City with four options for the modification of the beach and adjacent areas. The recommended option is to reduce underwater slopes combined with the filling of the deeper zones within and near the buoyed swim area,' the memo says. The bottom of the Ottawa River changes through the season due to the spring freshet, currents, wind and rain, leading to naturally occurring and shifting sandbars at Britannia. The city says conditions will be reviewed regularly by staff and will adjust buoy lines if needed. Residents are encouraged to only swim within designated swimming areas. The lifesaving audit was conducted on Aug. 7-8 of last year at Britannia, Mooney's Bay and Petrie Island beaches. Westboro Beach was not included as it had been closed since 2022. 'Overall, the City was found to provide a reasonable standard of care,' Chenier says. Some of the other changes this season include a new flag and signage system at all city beaches to better indicate lifeguard supervised zones and swimming areas. Red over Yellow flags – indicate the designated supervised swimming area Green flag – Lifeguards are supervising the designated swimming area Red flag – Lifeguards are not supervising the designated swimming area The Coroner had also recommended the City of Ottawa consider staffing lifeguards 'during daylight hours' and to conduct annual lifesavings audits at the start of every season. The buoy line at Petrie Island (Centre East Beach) was adjusted last year to contour the river bottom inside the drop off area. City beaches will open for supervised swimming daily from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 21 to Aug. 24. Lifejacket loaner program Lifejackets will be available for use at all city beaches starting this season. Approximately 25 Transport Canada approved lifejackets in child, youth and adult sizes will be on hand during supervised lifeguard hours of operation at each beach until the end of the season. The city says the service will be positioned in a 'prominent location' at each site with staff available to provide advice on proper fitting and adjustments along with water safety tips. Residents can also donate any new Transport Canada approved lifejacket or Personal Floatation Device (PFD), which will be inspected before they are added to the on-site inventory. The service will be free of charge.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
'Float to live' advice from Jersey RNLI ahead of summer season
Families are being encouraged to talk about staying safe in the water as part of this year's drowning prevention week in year's theme focuses on starting conversations around water safety at home with parents, carers and children ahead of the summer Tredant from the RNLI in Jersey said crews had already gone out on a few rescues this said swimmers should follow the "float to live" advice if they did get into difficulties. "We're advising people to tilt their head back and relax. Gently move your hands and legs. If your legs sink, that's ok, everybody's body floats differently," he suggested practising the technique when safe to do will be at El Tico and Watersplash in St Ouen's Bay, Plémont, Grève de Lecq and St Brelade's Bay daily from 10:00 BST to 18:00 this Tredant also advised people to stick to beaches with lifeguards and for parents to tell their children to swim between the red and yellow flags, which mark safe places to water temperature is still only 15C, he warned, and swimmers should acclimatise gently, rather than running or diving in straight away. Mr Tredant said if swimmers did get caught in a rip "don't try to swim against it, or you'll get exhausted".He said they should put their feet down if possible and wade in, or swim parallel to the shore to avoid getting caught. People should also raise their hand in the air and shout out to alert the lifeguards.
