Tips for staying safe around open water

Scottish Water is calling on people to stay safe this winter.

The company is advising residents to be vigilant and not to take risks around cold rivers, reservoirs and lochs that are covered in ice.

People are advised not go too close to the edge , while adults should keep children safe, and dogs should be kept on a lead if they are being walked near open water.

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s chief operating officer, said:“Natural hazards lurk beneath the surface, where children and adults can get entangled in vegetation or stuck in mud.

“As the majority of reservoirs are remote, there is a lack of immediate assistance because the emergency services often can’t get to the area quickly.

“Water safety is a priority and we urge people to stay safe this winter around reservoirs and any other water.”

The safety message is being supported by the Royal Society for the

Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Carlene McAvoy from RoSPA Scotland, said:“In 2018, there were 46 accidental deaths in Scotland due to drowning or submersion.

“A lot of these deaths will be of people who did not intend to be in the water, for example joggers and dog walkers.

“While we really want everybody to get out and enjoy Scotland’s beautiful waterways, we urge them to do so safely.

“If you walk onto frozen water there is no way of knowing if it is going to hold your weight. Take care around the edges of lochs, reservoirs and rivers. If a pet runs out onto the ice or jumps into the water, please do not go after them.

“We encourage parents to educate their children about the potentiallydeadly dangers of walking on frozen water, and how to float to live if exposed to cold water shock, as children are among those most at risk.”

More advice is available at www.rospa.com.”