Winter water safety:

A waterside walk on a crisp winter day is a popular activity. Here’s how to make it a safe one:

• Never go onto the ice.
• Keep any children within reach and teach them not to go on the ice.
• Keep your dog on a lead.
• Stay away from the water’s edge.
• Watch out for slippery surfaces - ice, rain, fallen leaves and mud could cause you to slip into the water.
• Stick to well-lit paths.
• Wear shoes with good grip.

What to do if you fall through the ice

• Keep calm and shout for ‘help’. Follow our advice on coping with cold water shock.
• Spread your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you.
• If the ice is strong enough, kick your legs to slide onto the ice.
• Once out of the water spread your weight across the ice as much as possible, and move carefully to the edge.
• If you cannot climb out, keep as still as possible with your head clear of the water and wait for help to arrive.
• Once out get medical help straight away.

What to do if someone else, or a pet, falls through the ice

• Stay on the bank, shout for help and phone 999.
• Shout to the person to ‘keep still’, to hold their head above water and offer reassurance to keep them calm.
• If it is safe to do so, slide something which floats, such as a plastic bottle or football, across the ice for them to hold onto while help is on the way.