Havering Parents Warned To Speak To Children About Deadly Open Water Risks During Heatwave.

26th May 202626th May 2026 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments min read

Police are urging parents and young people to stay away from dangerous open water areas as Havering experiences its first major heatwave of the year.

With temperatures rising across the borough and schools off for the half term break, officers fear children and teenagers may be tempted to cool off in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other unsupervised open water locations.

However, police and emergency services are warning that what may appear safe on the surface can quickly turn deadly.

Chief Inspector Routley from Havering Safer Neighbourhood Team told the Havering Daily:

“Insp Routley from Havering Safer Neighbourhood Team said: ‘As we head into the half term break and temperatures continue to rise, we want to remind everyone, especially young people, about the very real dangers of open water. Rivers, lakes and reservoirs can appear safe in hot weather, but cold water shock, hidden hazards and strong currents can quickly put lives at risk.

“We would urge families to have conversations with children about staying safe around water and to avoid entering open water unless it is a supervised and designated swimming location. A moment’s decision can have devastating consequences.’”

The warning comes as emergency services across London continue to deal with incidents involving people getting into difficulty in open water during periods of hot weather.

Cold water shock can affect even strong swimmers within seconds, causing breathing difficulties, panic and loss of muscle control. Hidden debris, sudden drops, weeds and strong undercurrents also make many open water areas extremely dangerous.

Locally, concerns have previously been raised around waterways, lakes and rivers across Havering including areas near Rainham Marshes, the River Thames and other isolated water locations popular with groups of teenagers during warm weather.

Police are now encouraging parents to speak openly with children about the risks before the school holidays begin.

Officers say many tragedies happen when young people underestimate the dangers or enter water to impress friends during hot weather.

Emergency services are also reminding residents that if they see someone struggling in water they should call 999 immediately and avoid entering the water themselves unless trained to do so.