With the cold snap set to last for several days, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to stay off frozen water.
The warning follows the tragic death of three children in a lake in Solihull at the weekend.
The fire service says it’s important to understand the dangers of open waters in cold and icy conditions.
A number of lakes and reservoirs may freeze during winter but it’s hard to know how thick the ice is. The water temperatures will be freezing and water depths are hard to tell.
If you see somebody fall through ice, the advice from Royal Life Saving Society is not to venture on to the frozen water, no matter how safe it looks but follow these steps:
- CALL the emergency services on 999
- SHOUT for assistance
- REACH if it is safe to do so, try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, tree branch. When reaching from the bank, lie down to avoid being pulled onto the ice
If you cannot reach them, slide something which floats, such as a plastic bottle or football, across the ice for them to hold onto to stay afloat whilst help is on the way
If the casualty is too far away, do not attempt to rescue them. Wait for the emergency services while calming and reassuring the casualty.
Dog owners are advised to stay away of frozen water on dog walks and to never throw sticks or balls on to the frozen water.
If a dog falls into icy water, do not go onto ice or into the water. Move to somewhere on the bank where the dog will be able to climb out and call them towards you.
Long-delayed High Wycombe highway schemes given ‘one last chance’ for completion
Aylesbury bar holding demonstration after concerns over new homes nearby
Bucks New Uni gives Paralympic champion honorary doctorate
Bucks Council invite us to help shape their new Homelessness strategy
Town Council unveils a new art mural bringing positivity and inclusivity to Aylesbury
MP launches petition calling on Bucks Council to temporarily reopen Winslow Centre
Health bosses rule out reopening Wycombe Hospital A&E
