After attending more than 100 water-related incidents so far this year, Avon Fire & Rescue Service is to install safety advice signs at popular waterside locations.
Installing a safety sign | Photo © Avon Fire & Rescue Service
The fire service says the number of incidents it attended increased from 99 between January and August 2021 to 113 within the same period in 2022.
Firefighters from Chew Magna fire station have been out putting up signs, with the hopes that they will encourage local people to remember the hidden dangers of water.
Firefighter at Chew Magna station Ross Morgan said: “Here at Chew, we’ve seen first-hand the sheer panic that takes over when someone gets into difficulty in the water, and it’s something that we as rescuers always worry about.
“Whether people enter the water willingly or fall in, the dangers lurking under the surface can strike at any time and have devastating consequences.
“I would urge anyone spending time near the water to read our new posters, remember our advice and take care.”
The signs feature Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s (AF&RS) key safety tips, with two designs aiming to remind people of the dangers present in sometimes seemingly idyllic waters.
When spending time on, in or near the water, remember:
- Don’t drink and drown, alcohol can greatly increase your risk of drowning, so save the drinks until after your swim and if walking home, avoid waterfronts.
- Keep youngsters under close supervision.
- Only swim where it’s safe and legal to do so.
- If you are entering the water, make sure somebody knows where you are, and take a fully charged mobile phone with the What3Words app installed.
- If a person or pet does fall in, do not enter the water to rescue them. Call 999 and help from a safe distance.
- If you fall in, float to live. Spread your arms and legs out, and control your breathing whilst you lie on your back. Allow your breathing to return to normal, and then call for help.
