RESIDENTS are being warned of the dangers of swimming in rivers and reservoirs as the summer approaches.
Worcester City Council has stressed despite the River Severn looking tempting, it has been responsible for many tragedies over the years, and the strong undercurrents and objects below the surface can cause swimmers a major hazard.
Plunging into extremely cold water can also cause the body to go into shock and result in breathing difficulties and muscle tightening, the council also warned.
Julian Stevenson, health and safety officer at the council, said: “We understand why a cooling swim might be tempting but we want to remind people how dangerous it is to swim in rivers and reservoirs.
“It is often not possible to fully gauge the depths of the water or the prevailing currents. Where water levels are unknown, jumping and diving into water can cause serious injury.
“The water can also be very cold, in stark contrast to the warm air and body temperatures on land. The sudden change in temperature can create serious problems for would-be swimmers and is often the cause of drowning.”
Mr Stevenson also added people who want to enjoy swimming can use the city’s two swimming pools.
