With temperatures set to reach 28C this week, there may be the temptation to cool off in one of the borough's open stretches of water but council bosses have urged residents to think again as the consequences could be deadly.
Barnsley Council has revealed that none of the open water in the Barnsley borough is safe to swim in.
Water can often be several degrees cooler than it may seem at the shore, and the shock of jumping into a cold lake can cause a person's body to go into shock which increases your risk of drowning.
Also undercurrents could drag you underneath the surface of the water which makes it very difficult and tiring to stay afloat.
The warning comes just hours after a search was launched at Pugneys Country Park, Wakefield, after a man was seen struggling in the water.
A spokesperson for Barnsley Council said: “Parents, please talk to your children about the dangers of swimming in open water.
“The water may look inviting, but there are many potential hazards posed by swimming in our waters, which can lead to serious accidents.
“There are plenty of alternative ways to safely keep cool during this hot spell.”
