Humberside Fire and Rescue urge people to stay away from deep waters
It's as part of efforts to reduce the number of accidental drownings
Last updated 22nd Apr 2024
People across Northern Lincolnshire are being urged to steer clear of muddy banks and deep waters as part of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s 'Be Water Aware' campaign that aims to reduce 'preventable deaths'.
It's as figures show around 40% of people in England who accidentally drown had no intention of entering the water.
Jonathan Clarke is the Water safety lead at Humberside Fire and Rescue service:
"There's plenty of warning and safety signs out there with 'danger deep water' and 'do not swim' depending on the land ownership.
"But look out for those trip and slip hazards around water, stick to proper pathways."
He has this advice:
"We try and push our message which is called 'Float to Live'. It's the panic and the cold water shock that can really get to people. The number one thing is to stay calm if you find yourself in deep water.
"Lay on your back in a sort of starfish shape.
"Don't be fooling around near water be it a marina or a dock or something like that if you've been drinking.
"But if someone does get into trouble there should be lifebelts and that kind of stuff around places like that.
"But just raise the alarm quickly".