Release date 22 May 2026
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents and visitors to the county to take extra care around open water this bank holiday weekend
Fire and Rescue Services across the country regularly respond to incidents involving people getting into difficulty in water, often with devastating consequences. Cold water shock, strong currents, unseen hazards and deep water can affect even strong swimmers.
Worthing Fire Station Manager Mark Cooper said: “Lakes, rivers, canals, reservoirs and the coast can appear inviting during warm weather, but hidden dangers beneath the surface can quickly turn a day out into a tragedy.
“We want everyone to enjoy the bank holiday safely, but water can be extremely dangerous and conditions can change very quickly. We would urge people not to take unnecessary risks and to look out for family and friends, particularly children and young people.”
The service is reminding people to:
- Never jump into open water, especially after drinking alcohol
- Supervise children closely at all times near water
- Avoid swimming in reservoirs, rivers or canals where conditions may be unpredictable
- Take notice of warning signs and local safety information
- If walking near water, keep dogs on leads where appropriate and avoid entering the water after pets
- Always carry a means of calling for help if possible
If someone gets into difficulty in the water:
- Call 999 immediately and ask for the fire and rescue service if inland, or the Coastguard at the coast
- Encourage the person to float on their back
- Throw something that floats to help them stay above water
- Do not enter the water yourself unless trained to do so
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is also encouraging people to learn the RNLI’s “Float to Live” advice — tilt your head back with ears submerged, relax and control your breathing, use your hands to help stay afloat, then call for help or swim to safety if possible.
