Service highlights dangers of water

FIREFIGHTERS in Halton are joining colleagues across the country to raise awareness of the dangers of everyday activities near water as part of a national safety campaign.

The National Fire Chiefs Council’s ( NFCC) water safety and drowning prevention campaign entitled Be Water Aware will help highlight the fact that 50% of people who accidentally drown in the UK never intended to enter the water.

It is running from Monday, April 24, to Sunday, April 30.

A Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service (CFRS) spokesman said latest statistics show in 2015, 321 people died after tripping, falling or simply underestimating the risks associated with being near water.

NFCC’s water safety lead Dawn Whittaker said: “Most people would be shocked to hear that those people drowning just happen to be near water such as runners, walkers and anglers.

“They are unaware of the risks and are totally unprepared for the scenario of ending up in the water.

“By highlighting this issue and making sure simple safety messages reach them we hope to reduce the number of these needless deaths.”

Nick Evans is head of prevention at CFRS and said crews were called to 17 incidents across Cheshire last year where people needed rescuing from water.

Nine of these suffered from hypothermia as a result of being in the water.

Mr Evans said: “We want people to enjoy spending time around water, but we want them to do it safely.

“Firefighters and other emergency services risk their own safety to rescue people who get into difficulties on our waterways, so it’s important that people take extra care and keep everyone safe.”

Water safety advice offered by CFRS includes only swimming as part of an organised group, to not drink alcohol around water, and to never ignore safety signs.

For key safety information visit www.cheshirefire.gov.uk