Firefighters have issued a warning after receiving reports of children going onto a frozen lake.
The current cold weather conditions mean that some lakes and other areas of open water in the region have frozen over. The weather is not expected to get any warmer until next week at the earliest, with a chilly weekend ahead.
County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service have been made aware of some worrying reports of youngsters going onto the ice at South Park lake in Darlington to try and break it. Firefighters attended the park to make sure people were aware of the dangers.
The Met Office forecast for tonight in our region states: “Dry and largely clear with freezing fog patches, and another widespread frost, this locally severe where there is snow cover. Minimum temperature -5 °C.”
And for Saturday: “After another very frosty start patchy freezing fog will mostly slowly clear, perhaps lingering in places, leaving largely sunny but cold conditions. Freezing fog patches are likely to return later. Maximum temperature 3 °C.”
Advice from County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service states:
- NEVER walk onto ice covered ponds or rivers.
- The ice is unlikely to freeze to a suitable depth to safely walk on.
- If you see someone in difficulty in the water, call 999 and ask for the fire service.
- DO NOT walk or climb onto the ice or go into the water to attempt a rescue.
- Follow the Talk, Reach, Throw guidance:
- Talk – tell the person in the water to float on their back and to spread their arms as wide as they can across the surface of the ice in front of them.
- Reach – if there is no lifesaving equipment, look at what else you can use such as a tree branch.
- Throw – them something that floats such as lifebelts or throw bags, if nearby.
- If they are attached to a rope, make sure you hold or secure the end.
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