Rhondda Cynon Taf families urged to avoid risky summer spots

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-12 19:30 3 min read

An orange lifebuoy in a holder near a body of water in the UK.

Families in Rhondda Cynon Taf are being asked to check where young people are spending the final two weeks of the summer holidays, as the council warns against swimming in open water and entering abandoned buildings.

Warm weather and the prospect of another heatwave may mean more time outdoors with friends. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council says it has received community reports and concerns about young people using rivers, reservoirs and lakes, as well as derelict sites.

The advice is straightforward: avoid going into open water, stay away from vacant buildings and choose supervised, legal activities instead. Families planning hot-weather days out can also follow wider UK heatwave safety advice.

Open water can change quickly

A river or reservoir can look calm from the bank but still present hazards that are difficult to spot. The council highlights strong currents, hidden obstacles, sudden drops, deep water and slippery banks as risks in local open-water locations.

Cold water is another danger, even on a hot day. A sudden drop in temperature can cause cold-water shock, affecting breathing and movement. The council has also received reports of young people being injured after jumping from rocks or platforms into water that proved much shallower than expected.

Parents and carers are encouraged to speak to children before they head out with friends, particularly about not diving or jumping into unfamiliar water.

If someone gets into difficulty

The council says people should not enter the water to try to rescue someone else. Instead:

Rhondda Cynon Taf families urged to avoid risky summer spots

Call 999 and ask for the appropriate emergency service.
Encourage the person to float on their back if they can.
Throw a floating object or something that can reach them, but only if it is safe to do so.

For anyone who does enter water, the council advises never swimming alone, avoiding fast-flowing rivers and weirs, and getting out immediately if they feel cold or distressed.

Abandoned buildings carry legal and physical risks

Derelict buildings may seem like a place to escape the heat or create social-media content, but the council says vacant sites can contain unstable floors, falling debris, exposed wiring, broken glass, unprotected heights and hazardous materials.

Entering without permission is trespassing. Many locations are privately owned, and the council warns that people could face criminal consequences, including possible burglary charges depending on the circumstances. Families are being urged to make clear that no photograph, challenge or exploration is worth a serious injury or a criminal record.

Low-cost ways to stay active across RCT

The council is directing young people towards Youth Engagement and Participation Service activities, local parks, sports facilities and leisure centres. Available options include youth sessions and events, physical activities, green spaces, recreational facilities and free swimming where offered.

Travel may also be cheaper for local outings: the summer holiday bus fare initiative means single journeys beginning and ending in Rhondda Cynon Taf cost no more than £1 for under-21s and £1.50 across operators.

Residents can report dangerous activity or anti-social behaviour so agencies can act before somebody is hurt. Cllr Bob Harris, the council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “A moment’s decision can have life-changing consequences. There are plenty of safe and exciting activities available across Rhondda Cynon Taf through YEPS, our parks and our leisure centres.”

Source: Rhondda Cynon Taf Council News

Context & actions About this article

Source check How this advice was checked

This article is based on Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s published warning and its listed local activity and travel options.

Checks

Checked the council’s warning on open-water hazards including cold-water shock, currents a...
Checked the stated risks and legal warning relating to entering derelict buildings.
Checked the council’s published summer bus-fare figures for journeys within Rhondda Cynon...
Checked the named local alternatives, including YEPS, parks and leisure centres.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council News Search for open-water safety guidance