With the temptation to cool off in rivers, lochs or reservoirs, the public are being advised to instead stick to the safety of public swimming baths.
Figures from the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) show that in 2012 a total of 371 people drowned accidentally across the UK — of which 43 included children and young people up to the age of 19.
And of those 371 drownings, a total of 203, or 55 per cent, took place in inland waters including rivers, canals, lochs/lakes, streams, ponds and reservoirs.
Police Scotland have joined those organisations urging safety this summer, and a spokesman said: “Just because temperatures are very warm, water can still be very cold.
“It can still be very dangerous, so don’t go into areas and waterways that you don’t really know.
“Stick to swimming baths at the end of the day.”
