North Yorkshire Police – Hot Weather Safety Advice

With temperatures expected to remain high, North Yorkshire Police is encouraging everyone to take simple steps to stay safe, look after their wellbeing, and help reduce avoidable demand on emergency services.

Hot weather can have a significant impact on health, particularly for older people, young children, those with underlying medical conditions, and anyone spending long periods outdoors. Please remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day, avoid excessive alcohol, and seek shade or cooler areas during the hottest parts of the afternoon.

We would also urge people to think carefully before entering rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and other open water. While the water may appear inviting in hot weather, it can often be much colder than expected, with strong currents, hidden hazards, and sudden changes in depth. Every year, people get into difficulty after entering open water, sometimes with tragic consequences. Please stay away from deep water unless it is a designated and supervised area for swimming.

Parents and carers are encouraged to speak to children and young people about the dangers of swimming in unsupervised locations and to ensure they know how to stay safe around water.

If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, remember the Float to Live advice. Fight the instinct to swim hard or thrash about. Instead, tilt your head back with your ears submerged, relax, and spread your arms and legs out into a starfish shape. This will help you float, control your breathing, and conserve energy until you can call for help or reach safety.

Periods of hot weather can place increased pressure on all emergency services, including police, fire, ambulance, and coastguard teams. By taking sensible precautions, staying hydrated, planning activities responsibly, and avoiding unnecessary risks, you can help keep yourself and others safe while allowing emergency responders to remain available for those who need them most.

If you see someone in difficulty in the water, do not enter the water yourself. Call 999 immediately and ask for the appropriate emergency service. If possible, throw something that floats and encourage the person to float on their back until help arrives.

Please enjoy the warm weather responsibly and look out for family, friends, neighbours, and vulnerable members of your community.

Stay safe, stay hydrated, and think twice around water.
North Yorkshire Police