Stay safe this winter –are you aware of the dangers of frozen waters?
In winter, children and pets are particularly at risk when tempted to play on the ice formed on open water, and adults can find themselves at risk in attempting to save them. Taking a nice walk in cold weather with your family, friends or dogs in tow can be really refreshing, just make sure you know some simple tips on how to stay safe in winter.
Areas with frozen lakes, ponds, canals and reservoirs can be beautiful places to visit during the winter months but all too often many people risk their lives by venturing onto frozen water.
Unfortunately this week, we were saddened to hear that three boys aged eight, 10 and 11 have died after falling into an icy lake.
Members of the public and police officers initially went into the freezing water to try to get the boys out, before the children were reached by specialist fire crews. Firefighters were among those who had tried to rescue the boys. On Monday, they laid flowers alongside a growing number of tributes at the scene and were applauded by onlookers. Temperatures are thought to have plunged to 1C (34F) in the area at the time of the incident, falling to -3C (26F) overnight. After their rescue, the children were rushed to hospital but police said they could not be revived.
A mass of flowers, balloons, toys and messages is growing just outside the police cordon, a few hundred metres from where the boys fell through the ice on the partially frozen lake. It’s a story that’s struck a nerve here after a tough 24 hours during we which learned three young lads lost their lives and another, the youngest of all, is still in a critical condition.
Police said their thoughts are with the families and friends of the boys “at this deeply devastating time” and they would have specialist officers on hand to support them. The counties Fire and Rescue Area Commander, described the deaths as “a tragedy beyond words”.
He said the incident served as a reminder of the dangers of frozen water.
“It can look picturesque but can be lethal,” he said. “Please help avoid this from happening again.”
Here are some tips for staying safe around frozen water…
- Teach children not to go onto the ice under any circumstances.
- Don’t go onto ice or into the water to rescue a dog, move to somewhere that the dog will be able to climb out and call them towards you.
- Keep dogs on their leads when near ice and don’t throw sticks or toys onto the ice.
- Time your walks to make the most of the daylight; if you need to walk in the evening only use well-lit areas or take a route not alongside water.
- When walking alongside water keep back from the edge.
What to do if you fall through the ice
- Keep calm and shout for ‘help’
- 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
- Lie flat and pull yourself towards the bank
- If the ice breaks, work your way to the bank-breaking the ice in front of you anyway
- If you cannot climb out, wait for help and keep as still as possible. Preserve heat by pressing your arms by your side and keep your legs together. Keep your head clear of the water
- Once you are safe, go to hospital immediately for a check up
What to do if you someone else falls through the ice
- Shout for assistance and phone the emergency services – call 999 or 112
- Do not walk or climb onto the ice to attempt a rescue
- Shout to the casualty to ‘keep still’ and offer reassurance to keep them calm
- Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else which can extend your reach
- 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
What to do once someone is retrieved from frozen water
- Make sure the ambulance is on its way
- Lay the casualty flat, check for normal breathing and begin resuscitation if necessary
- Prevent them from getting colder by covering them with warm clothing, blankets etc.
- Get them out of the cold under cover or create some shelter around them
- Until the casualty is in a warm place, do not undress them
- Do not rub their skin, do not apply hot water bottles and do not give an alcoholic drink
- Keep them wrapped up so they warm up gradually
For any further health and safety advice please contact us on 01691 688723 or email us at info@mbo.ltd, to speak to one of our consultants.
Source of information: https://www.bbc.com/news / The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)