Warning of winter water hazards
Residents in Perth and Kinross took advantage of frozen ponds and lochs to dust down their ice skates last week.
Skaters have taken to the ice in places like the South Inch in Perth and at Loch Leven near Kinross.
While it was a welcome distraction from the COVID lockdown, residents have been warned of the dangers and risks of going onto or allowing children and pets to go onto the ice.
Scottish Fire and Rescue is warning that while ice can look and feel solid, it can suddenly crack and cause a person to fall through.
Alasdair Perry, head of prevention and protection at SFRS, said:“We strongly advise against walking or playing on any iced-up waterways and always ensure that children are kept away from any iced over ponds or rivers.
“If you are out with your pet, do not throw sticks or balls near frozen water, and if they do get into trouble on the ice, do not venture onto the ice yourself to attempt a rescue - dial 999.”
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, more than 50 per cent of all drowning cases involving ice in the UK involved the attempted rescue of another person or a pet.
For more information on how to stay safe around frozen water, visit https:// www.rlss.org.uk/winter-water-safety