By Joshua Robinson –
With winter around the corner, the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has launched its winter water safety campaign. Its purpose is to keep people and their loved ones safe by making sure everyone knows the risks and how to respond to a water emergency.
Here is some advice from WYFRS to keep people and their family and friends safe:
- When it comes to pets and icy conditions, remember never to attempt a rescue on the ice. If a pet gets in a tricky situation on ice, contact the experts at 999. They have the right gear to ensure a safe rescue. When walking near water, especially in icy weather, it’s a good idea to keep a bit of distance from the edge because accidents can happen more easily than expected.
- Teaching children not to venture onto the ice is important; they need to understand the risks associated with frozen water. It’s essential to be aware of the potential dangers of cold water because knowing these risks can help.
- In case someone is spotted in need of help in the water, don’t hesitate to call 999.
- Quick reporting is the key to a successful rescue. To make it easier for rescuers to locate and help victims, consider having the What3Words app handy; you can Download it here.
Want the latest news in Kirklees sent directly to your phone? Join the KLTV WhatsApp Community today!
Kirklees District Manager, Christopher Bell, said: “The What3Words app is an invaluable tool for emergency responders. It helps us pinpoint your exact location, making our response faster and more accurate, which could be a matter of life and death this winter. Using this app should make you feel safer whilst helping us to find incidents quicker, especially in remote locations.”
WYFRS’s campaign launch coincides with a recent incident in Leeds that highlighted the importance of water safety measures. An everyday hero used a throwline to rescue a woman from a canal, proving the critical role of throwlines in water rescue operations. This incident highlights the importance of water safety.
Between November 2022 – March 2023, WYFRS attended 11 water rescues.
At WYFRS are dedicated to reducing water-related incidents and drownings across the West Yorkshire region.