AS the weather hots up during the final week of the school holidays a drowning prevention charity has urged people to stay safe near water.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK issues water safety advice as the Easter break continues.

The drowning prevention charity has issued water safety tips that could save lives as temperatures are expected to hit 20 degrees C.

Warm weather leads people to spend time in and around water but if not done safely it can end in tragedy.

Two teenage boys in East Lancashire have been killed while swimming in lakes in hot weather in recent years.

In June last year, James Goodship, 17, from Colne drowned after getting into difficulties at Lake Burwain, in Foulridge.

He was one of a group of seven teenagers who got into trouble while floating on a ‘raft’.

In a separate tragedy, Dylan Ramsay, 13, developed breathing difficulties after jumping in a quarry lake near his Whittle-le-Woods home in June 2011.

The families of both boys have subsequently spoken out about the dangers of entering the water and supported efforts to educate youngsters.

Diving or jumping into water with low temperature can cause the body to have a cold shock response, resulting in a number of involuntary physiological responses including difficulty in moving limbs, making swimming or staying on the surface difficult, and a sudden gasp which can mean water is breathed in instead of air.

And it is important to remember to be safe around the home as people spend more time in the garden and dig out paddling pools for children.

RLSS UK’s acting director of volunteers and community education, Mike Dunn, said: “With the predicted nice weather we want people to go out and enjoy the water safely and we advise people to swim at open water sites where there are lifeguards to help keep swimmers safe.

“We also ask people to think water safety at home and follow our tips.

“So, make the most of the weather but listen to advice and do so responsibly, don’t let a weekend of fun become a tragedy.”

Open water safety tips include only ever entering the water in areas with adequate supervision and rescue cover, looking for warning and guidance signs and getting out of the water as soon as you start to feel cold