People in West Dunbartonshire are being warned to heed simple advice to stay safe around water.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK, a drowning prevention charity, has appealed for people to take note of safety messages, to raise awareness of the hazards and avoid further, preventable deaths from drowning.
The warning comes after tragedy struck the banks of Loch Lomond recently when two men died after getting into trouble while swimming in the water.
Rebin Rehan, 25, drowned after getting into difficulties near the Maid of the Loch, and Owais Malik, 17, from Yoker, drowned two miles north of Luss four days later.
Simple safety tips include: remembering that the water in the UK is much colder than it looks, and the cold inhibits your ability to swim and save yourself; don’t swim too far from shore; remember that the current is stronger than it looks and sometimes may not be visible at all; bring a friend who can help you and raise the alarm if you get into trouble; read safety signs; don’t drink before swimming; and look out for lifeguards where they are provided.
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