Water safety in extreme conditions

Icy water

In winter some waterways can form ice. It can be tempting to play on it despite the dangers. If you see ice on a river or canal you should keep away from the edge and keep dogs on a lead. The ice may not be as strong as it looks. 

If you or someone else falls through ice on a waterway, you should: 

• keep calm and shout for help
• spread your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you
• kick your legs to slide onto the ice
• keep your head clear of the water and wait for help to arrive
• once out, seek immediate medical attention and cover them with warm clothing

Do not go onto the ice or into frozen water if you see a person or animal getting into difficulty. Stay on the river bank, shout for help and phone 999.

Flooding

You should avoid driving your car where there is flooding. Just 6 inches of water can cause an engine to stall or result in a driver losing control of their vehicle. A foot of water moving at just 6mph is enough to float a car. 

Do not swim or allow children or pets to go near or play in floodwater. There is a danger of being swept away, being struck by an object in the water or not knowing what is under the surface of the flood water. Floodwater can be hazardous, it may be contaminated or polluted.

You can sign up for free flood warnings from GOV UK. 

Blue Green Algae

When the weather gets warmer, blue green algae appears on rivers. It can also appear as green streaks on the surface and as tiny green specks within the water. Sometimes it makes the water look a different colour. This includes toxins that are harmful to both people and animals so you should avoid touching any water that contains it.