Tyne & Wear Fire give warning after reports of children playing on ice
They've been spotted in North Tyneside, Gateshead and Newcastle
Concerned fire chiefs have urged parents to have serious conversations with their children after reports of people trying to walk on frozen stretches of water.
On Sunday evening tragedy struck in Solihull in the West Midlands when four children fell through ice after reportedly walking on a frozen over lake in the sub-zero temperatures.
Emergency services in the area have sadly confirmed that three of those involved have sadly passed away, while a fourth continues to fight for their life in hospital.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) offered their condolences to those involved earlier this week and said it was a “tragic reminder” of the dangers of walking on ice.
But despite their pleas for people to learn from the devastating events in Solihull, they have now revealed they have received reports of children putting their lives at risk.
There have been reports of children walking on ice at Killingworth Lake and Marsden Quarry in North Tyneside, Saltwell Park in Gateshead and Paddy Freeman’s Park in Newcastle.
Thankfully nobody has been reported to have fallen through ice at these locations but, with sub-zero temperatures expected to continue this week, fire chiefs have once again called on support of parents.
Station Manager, Jonathan Ramanayake, the Safety and Education Manager for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said they would be emphasising their messaging with schools across the region but that it was imperative communities also show their support.
Station Manager Ramanayake, said:
“What has unfolded in Solihull is every parent’s worst nightmare and our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the tragedy.
“With that in mind, it is shocking for us to hear that children here in Tyne and Wear have continued to walk on frozen stretches of water.
“Some of the locations are not dissimilar to the lake where the tragedy in Solihull took place and those involved are putting their lives at risk.
“We are speaking with schools across the region but we need communities to support our messaging. Speak with your children, talk to your neighbours and if you see someone behaving in this way please speak up.
“If you do see someone fall through the ice, please don’t enter the water yourself. Call 999, ask for the fire and rescue service, and first responders will be there as quickly as possible.
“While you wait for emergency services, stay on dry land and try and reach the person in trouble with a branch or long item they can grab on to.
“If you fall in the water, and cannot get out, then shout for help and try to stay calm. If you stay still you will conserve heat and that could be crucial in those moments before we arrive to help.”
TWFRS have also raised concerns about other stretches of water in the region that have frozen over and may see children or adults attempt to walk onto the ice.
They include Barnes Park, Hetton Lyons Country Park and Silksworth Country Park. All of those locations are in Sunderland.
Top tips from TWFRS around water safety include:
• Never go on the ice under ANY circumstances. This includes attempting to rescue another person or animal who may have fallen through the ice.
• Only use well lit areas. Try to take walks in the daylight but if you must walk in the evening, only use well lit areas and avoid anywhere with water.
• Keep away from the edge of the water. Never go close to the edge or lean over to touch the ice. You may over balance or trip and fall in.
• Always walk with an adult or a group of friends. Look out for each other and if someone does fall through the ice there will be others around to raise the alarm and get help.
What to do if you fall through the ice:
• Keep calm and shout ‘help’.
• Spread your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you.
• Try to kick your legs and pull yourself out of the water and on to the ice.
• Lie flat, spreading your weight across the surface and pull yourself to the bank. you may find it easier to roll.
• If you cannot climb out, wait for help and keep as still as possible.
• Keep your head above the water, press your arms by your side and keep your legs together. This will conserve heat.
• Once you are safe, it is important that you go to hospital immediately for a check-up.
What to do if you see someone fall through the ice:
• Shout for ‘help’ and dial 999 asking for the fire and rescue service if you can, do not walk on to the ice to attempt a rescue
• Shout to the person to ‘keep still’ and offer reassurance.
• If they are close enough, lie down to avoid overbalancing and falling onto the ice, and try to reach them with a tree branch clothing tied together or anything else which can extend your reach.
• If you cannot reach them, slide something which floats across the ice, such as a plastic bottle or a football, so that they can hold on to it to stay afloat whilst help is on the way.
• If they are too far away, wait for the emergency services and reassure the casualty from the safety of the bank.
In an emergency, always dial 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service.
You can find more information around water safety on the TWFRS website
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