Accidental drownings in West Midlands prompt open water warning
"They get into difficulty because of cold water shock, or they're not swimming in designated areas."NWSF also said that warmer weather often correlated with more water-related fatalities.
"When the weather gets hot we definitely see an increase in people going into the water as they want to cool off," added Mr Webb.The charity said people needed to learn to float if they got into difficulty in water."Lay back, float and that involves submerging your ears and trying to breathe normally," he said."If you find someone in the water, we ask you to call for the emergency services... tell the person in the water to float and throw anything you can to them which could help."Whether that's an emergency life raft buoy, branch or an inflatable, throw that to them in the water."
Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
28 minutes ago
- The Independent
Warning of higher vegetable prices after heatwaves hit crops
Britain faces a potential broccoli shortage, with yields cut by over 50 per cent, due to unfavourable weather conditions including back-to-back heatwaves. Other brassicas like cauliflower and cabbage are also affected, alongside root crops such as carrots and onions, and staple crops like cereals and potatoes. The adverse conditions, including low river levels and lack of rain, have led to drier soil and significant shortfalls in crop production across affected areas. Farmers and the British Growers Association warn of reduced quality and size for some vegetables, expressing concerns about future food supplies and the viability of growing certain crops. The widespread impact on crop yields is expected to lead to price rises for essential vegetables and other food items at the point of sale.
BBC News
28 minutes ago
- BBC News
Malnourished seal washed up on Brighton beach
A young seal which was washed up on a beach in the centre of Brighton is recovering at a rescue seal, which was described by the RSPCA as "exhausted and severely underweight", was spotted by children lying motionless on the beach close to the city's West Pier on 7 volunteers from British Divers Marine Life Rescue and East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service attended to the pup, which is now receiving intensive care at RSPCA Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre near O'Doherty, wildlife supervisor at RSPCA Mallydams, said: "The seal was in such a poor condition that he didn't even flinch when approached." She added: "This kind of behaviour is very concerning in seals and signals serious exhaustion or illness."The rescued seal - which has been named Fern by staff at the charity - was treated with antibiotics following a bite wound, and is "responding well".It was given fluids and glucose by the rehabilitation team. Ms O'Doherty said: "Although he looked very downcast on arrival, he's already begun to perk up thanks to regular feeds and ongoing care. "We're doing everything we can to give him the second chance he deserves."Fern will remain under close observation as he continues his recovery."
The Independent
28 minutes ago
- The Independent
UK braces for broccoli shortages amid warning vegetable could be smaller
Britain may soon be facing a broccoli shortage, farmers have warned, as unfavourable weather conditions see difficulties growing the popular vegetable. As the UK grapples with back-to-back heatwaves, crop and vegetable yields have been affected by the heat. Yields of broccoli crops have been cut by more than 50 per cent, growers have said. The adverse conditions may also be causing the quality and size of the popular green to be affected, with shoppers warned they could soon see smaller vegetables on the shelf. The British Growers Association (BGA) said supplies of brassicas – the family that includes broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage – are 'tight'. However, it is hoped better crop yields in wetter parts of the UK will ensure the vegetables will remain available for shoppers. Jack Ward, the BGA's chief executive, told the BBC: "In some areas, supplies of summer brassicas, cauliflowers and cabbages are tight. "Other root crops, carrots and onions have been kept going by the use of irrigation, but there are serious concerns about water supplies if the lack of rain continues. "At this stage, we are confident that the crops will be there, but the weather events of the last three months highlight the increasing uncertainty around our food supplies." The issue has mostly affected farmers in parts of the country that have seen low river levels and rainfall. As conditions make soil drier, substantial shortfalls have been reported. Arable farmer Martin Williams, chairman of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) Herefordshire branch, said he has seen a 50 per cent drop in his cereal yield. He adds that a third of the normal potato crop is likely, with a 70 per cent drop in grass grown for feed. "Going forward, it makes me wonder about the viability of growing cereal commodity crops,' he said. "It is a risk-based job but if I can manage my risk down by not growing those risky crops then maybe that's something I should look at." European countries have experienced continent-wide heatwaves this summer, with wildfires breaking out in several nations. In the UK, this has had severe impacts on public health, productivity and water availability. The impact on crop yields will also inevitably be translated to price rises at the point of sale, with essentials like vegetables and bread likely to become more expensive.
