Devon and Somerset's fire crews called to 35 water safety incidents each year
Two events are taking place across Devon this week, to help people to be safe around water
Last updated 25th Apr 2022
There's a water safety event on Plymouth's Barbican today, as each year Devon and Somerset's fire crews are called to 35 incidents on rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
It's part of the Be Water Aware and the event aims to 'highlight the risks and offer safety advice to help locals and visitors to our two counties to stay safe around water'.
There's also an event on Exeter's Quay on Wednesday and Bridgwater's Fore Street on Friday.
A spokesperson for the fire service said: "Nationally, around half of people who drown had no intention of being in water – they may have been walking, running, or have jumped in the water after their dog.
"According to the latest national data 50 per cent more people drowned after they ended up in the water when running or walking - 63 deaths in 2020 - than those who drowned when swimming, 41 deaths in 2020.
"There is also an increased likelihood of drowning after drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Nationally more than one in four accidental water fatalities were reported with a known presence of alcohol and/or drugs, 49 out of 176 fatalities."
Crews will be demonstrating to the public how to rescue someone from water, as well as using virtual reality headsets to highlight risks to hopefully help change people’s behaviour around water. Members of the public will be asked to wear ‘beer goggles’ and walk down a straight line to demonstrate the challenges of walking home near water under the influence of alcohol.
Ros Clarke, Group Manager for Prevention at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said:
“In Devon and Somerset we have one of the largest areas of water in the country along with one of the highest rates of drowning incidents, so we need to keep putting water safety as a priority.
“We hope our week of action for ‘Be Water Aware’ will raise awareness of the simple steps people can take to reduce their risks around water, and help everyone to stay safe.
“We particularly want people to take care when socialising around water. Alcohol and water are a deadly combination – you can think you’re invincible, but currents are often strong and the water is cold. Please encourage your friends to take a route home avoiding water after a night out.”