Winter Safety Around Water
During the winter the water can pose new dangers

Now
the weather has turned noticeably colder, we would like to remind and urge people
how to stay safe by avoiding frozen areas of water.
It is very important to take care near icy water. Frozen lakes, ponds, rivers and canals can pose a particular danger. Even with prolonged cold spells, the thickness of the ice layer can vary considerably and is unlikely to be strong enough to hold a person’s weight safely.
DO NOT to step on to the ice at all, and certainly do not to be tempted to skate, rescue an animal or retrieve a ball as people could easily fall though into the water or get trapped below the ice, risking hypothermia or even drowning.
Please take a few moments to share the following information with your children:
• Do not go onto ice covered lakes, ponds, rivers or canals.
• Be aware that the ice closest to the bank may appear to be thick but it may become thinner in other areas.
• If a dog or another animal falls through the ice, do not go to its rescue. If the ice did not support the animal, it will not take the weight of a human either.
• Never put yourself at risk, instead call the Emergency Services on 999 or 112.





