Enjoy yourself, but take care around water

Water can be tempting especially when the weather is good, but the consequences can be fatal

Keeping yourself safe around water is the message from fire chiefs at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).

Crews across Greater Manchester have rescued more than 235 people from water since January 2013.

Paul Etches, Head of Prevention, said: “We don’t want to dampen anyone’s fun, but we really want to make sure that you’re safe.

“Even if it is a warm day, water can still be very cold and cause cramp and breathing difficulties which can affect your ability to swim and get out of trouble.

“Water can be far deeper and stronger than people think and there are unknown hazards that lie beneath the surface.”

24 people died as a result of getting into trouble in water over the last three years.

Mr Etches added: “Water can be tempting especially when the weather is good, but the consequences can be fatal. Roughly half of people who drown had no intention of entering water in the first place.

“Please only swim somewhere safe, such as a swimming pool, but if you do see someone in an emergency, ring 999 and clearly explain where you are.”

The safety messages come as GMFRS supports the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Water Safety and Drowning Prevention campaign.

The campaign ‘Be Water Aware’ is running between 24-30 April.