WATCH: Fire service issues new safety warning for Cambridgeshire residents ahead of warmer weather

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is highlighting the dangers of open water during the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) annual Be Water Aware campaign.

Running until May 3, the campaign highlights the ongoing and preventable risk of accidental drowning.

A fire service spokesperson said: “Figures show that between 2019 and 2024, 1,602 people in the UK lost their lives in accidental drowning incidents, with 56 per cent (901) occurring in inland waters such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Alarmingly, half of people of who drown had no intention of entering the water, with slips, trips and falls identified as a leading cause.

“The data also shows that 82 per cent of accidental drowning fatalities were men, emphasising the need for greater awareness among those most at risk. The message is clear: water safety starts on land, and simple choices near water can save lives.”

The service previously teamed up with local volunteers to deliver training in the use of throwlines, allowing them to help someone getting into difficulty around river locks, as well as other general water safety tips. This year a video has been produced to not only provide refresher training for those that have completed it, but to also give an introduction to using a throwline.

The campaign also warns against the dangers of cooling off in open water.

"Many people, particularly those unfamiliar with outdoor swimming, may underestimate hidden risks,” the spokesperson went on. “Submerged hazards and consistently low water temperatures mean that cold water shock remains a real danger, even on hot days. This can trigger an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing, panic, and a sudden loss of swimming ability, drastically increasing the risk of drowning.”

Some Useful Tips

• If you get into difficulty in water, you should “Float to Live”, by leaning back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat, and try and control your breathing. Once calm, either call for help or try and swim to safety.

• Try and go swimming with someone else, so you can assist each other or call for help if you do get into difficulty. If you see someone else in trouble near water, call for help immediately by dialling 999. Never try and carry out a rescue yourself, you could put yourself in danger too. You can try and find something to throw to them to use as a float or to pull them in if they are near to the edge and it’s safe to do so.

• Pinpoint your location by giving emergency services a what3words reference. This is easy to do by downloading the app before heading out and encouraging everyone in your group to do the same, making a note of where you’re swimming. The app is free and available to download on any mobile device.