With the school break now under way, NI Water is urging everyone to prioritise safety around its reservoirs and operational sites throughout the summer months.

The utility is asking parents and carers to speak with children and young people about playing safe and staying safe, highlighting risks at reservoirs as well as at treatment works, construction zones and other operational locations.

NI Water Facilities Senior Manager Patricia McKee said: "We want everyone to enjoy our beautiful outdoor spaces safely this summer, but please remember reservoirs are not suitable for swimming or any other water-based activity. Even a quick paddle can become an emergency because of cold water shock, strong underwater currents, hidden hazards and steep, slippery banks.

"Drowning can happen quickly and silently, so we all have a role to play in keeping ourselves and others safe. Please keep out of the water, stay back from the edge, supervise children closely and keep dogs on leads near water. If you see someone in difficulty, call 999 immediately and ask for the fire service if inland."

Patricia continued: "It is also important to remind children and young people that NI Water work sites are not safe places to play. Many are remote and can contain hidden dangers, so please obey all safety signs, stay clear of fences, barriers, trenches, manholes and equipment, and report any suspicious activity to the police on 101."

NI Water outlined the key dangers at reservoirs:

- Water in reservoirs stays very cold, even in warm weather.

- Cold water shock can impair breathing and movement, making swimming difficult.

- Powerful underwater currents can overwhelm even strong swimmers.

- Reservoirs are often far deeper than they appear.

- Submerged debris, vegetation, pumps and other equipment can injure or cause entanglement.

- Steep, slippery banks can make it hard to get out of the water.

- NI Water reservoirs are not lifeguarded.

- Similar hazards are present at rivers, lakes, canals, quarries and along the coast.

- Float to Live advice: lie back, use your arms and legs to help you float, control your breathing, then call 999 for help or swim to safety if you can.

The company also shared simple steps to stay safe around its sites:

- Do not climb fences or barriers — they are there to prevent serious injury.

- Keep clear of trenches and open manholes — they may collapse or contain hazardous gases.

- Take care near site traffic — never step out from behind parked vans or lorries.

- Avoid machinery and materials such as diggers, lorries and pipes — do not touch.

- Respect 'closed' and 'no entry' signs — reservoirs and treatment works are dangerous places.

- Report any suspicious activity at NI Water sites to the police on 101.