Hoang Hung
he Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), the drowning prevention charity, has issued a warning as temperatures across Britain are set to hit a scorching 35C.
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The charity has appealed for people to take note of simple safety messages to avoid a repeat of last summer's tragedies when many people lost their lives cooling off in unlifeguarded open water, not suitable for swimming.
Figures released from the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), of which RLSS UK is a partner, earlier this month revealed that the peak summer months of July and August witnessed the most deaths in 2014.
So, with temperatures on the rise, it is important people make the most of the weather and enjoy the water but do so safely at sites designated for swimming.
RLSS UK's Director of Volunteer and Community Education, Mike Dunn, said: "Last year saw a tragic amount of preventable deaths as people flocked to open water sites not suitable for swimming. These sites included rivers, quarries, lakes and reservoirs - all of which have many dangers including very cold water, currents, obstacles and uneven depths. They look so inviting but can be deadly.
"Being aware of the basic principles of open water safety, combined with knowledge and understanding of the hazards, can increase enjoyment and significantly reduce the number deaths each year.
"Any drowning is a tragedy but the number of people who lost their lives last summer was not only extremely sad but extremely worrying."
Figures show the age group with the highest number of fatalities (27) in 2014 were men aged between 20 and 24. Meanwhile, 0 to 19-year-olds accounted for 11 per cent of deaths (38), of which more than half were teenagers aged 15 to 19 (21).
Leading activities people were taking part in when they drowned included swimming (predominantly in open water) and jumping into open water.
And in response, June 20 - 28 this year saw RLSS UK's annual campaign, Drowning Prevention Week, focus not only on primary school aged children but young men and boys. The campaign saw the release of 'Beneath the Surface - the families' stories' where a number of brave families speak out about how a loved-on