Anti-suicide measures will be put in place at Perthshire bridges as part of a region-wide safety plan.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has drawn up proposals to curb the toll of tragedy at water courses throughout Perth and Kinross.
Fire chiefs are working with the local authority and other partners on a five-point strategy to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries at rivers, lochs and beaches.
A study of 68 emergency call-outs over the last four years showed that eight people died and a further 18 were injured in such incidents.
The next part of the plan involves installing high profile notices for the Samaritans helpline at known suicide hotspots, such as Pitlochry Dam and the bridges in Perth city centre.
These are the sites of the highest number of call-outs prompted by suicide attempts or “misadventure”, such as open water swimming in the summer months.
The signs are due to be put in place by the middle of next month.
Warnings to dog walkers will also be posted at popular rural locations including the Falls of Bruar near Blair Atholl, the Soldier’s Leap at Killiecrankie and the rumbling bridge at Dunkeld.
A study of potentially high-risk areas, including the currently closed-off Cargill’s Leap at Blairgowrie, Stanley Beach and the Giant’s Grave at Buchanty, is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
Service group manager for Perth Rab Middlemiss said that stretches of water have been responsible for more deaths than fire has over the past four years.
“With more water flowing through Perth and Kinross from the River Tay and its tributaries than any other area in the UK, it is clear that there is a real and present danger to the safety of our communities,” he said.
“This is emphasised by the fact that we have had eight people lose their lives over the last four years in water-related incidents.
“During that same time, two people have died as a result of fires in their homes, therefore the need to reduce this risk and improve public safety through working in partnership was widely recognised by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”
Mr Middlemiss outlined work which has already been carried out when he addressed members of the council’s community safety committee.
These include signs and emergency throw-lines at North Muirton, beside an area on the Tay known as woody island.
He said: “The risk from open water is presented in different ways, including the many outdoor activities that take place within our beautiful countryside like fishing or water sports right through to occasions where people may look to harm themselves through suicide attempts.
“Therefore the risks are often different and complex and that requires a multi-agency partnership approach,” added Mr Middlemiss.
“We will look at different ways to improve safety for each identified risk whilst collectively we aim to make Perth and Kinross a safer place to live, work and visit.”