WARRINGTON firefighters went out and about to highlight Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Week.
The crew took a water rescue boat along to a number of locations in the town to promote the dangers people face around water and offered advice to keep people from drowning.
Station manager Paul Jackson said: “We wanted to highlight to people that cooling off in rivers, canals, ponds, quarries and lakes may seem great fun, but it can have deadly consequences.
“We got a great response from the people we spoke to and felt that we had given a firm message that will hopefully keep people safe from drowning in the future.”
In 2013 there were 669 water-related fatalities nationally – two-and-a-half times the number of people that died in a house fire.
Advice to follow is:
• Only swim as part of an organised group.
• Never go swimming alone.
• Ensure you stay clear of boats and canoes to avoid accidents.
• Never drink alcohol before swimming.
• Know your limits – the cold can kill.
• Don’t ignore the safety signs – it could cost you your life.
Further water safety advice can be found at www.cheshirefire.gov.uk.
