With warm, sunny weather sweeping across the south East, many of us are heading to our beautiful rivers and waterways to enjoy the outdoors.
While it’s the perfect time to cool off and relax, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) is reminding everyone to stay safe near water by taking a few simple, potentially life-saving precautions:
- Never swim alone in case you need help
- Don’t drink alcohol when undertaking water related activities. It impairs judgement and your ability to swim
- Avoid walking routes near water if you have been drinking alcohol
- Don’t dive or jump straight into open water. It can cause potentially fatal cold water shock, even on the warmest day
- Actively supervise children in and around water – drowning can happen quickly and silently
- If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, don’t panic. Extend your arms and legs out and float on your back until the effect of cold water shock pass
- Never enter the water to try and rescue someone. Call 999 and ask for the Fire Service if you’re inland or the Coastguard if you’re at the coast
Water Safety
Most people don’t think of the fire service when it comes to water rescues, but it’s an important part of our work. Tragically, more than 700 people drown in the UK and Ireland every year and many more suffer life-changing injuries.
While we hope you’ll never need them, we have specialist water rescue crews ready to respond to emergencies across Essex 24/7.
For more tips and water safety resources visit the ECFRS website.
Photo: Daisy Pearson, ECFRS Water Safety Team
