Play Safe This Christmas
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:56 pmPlay Safe This Christmas
As schools across Argyll & Bute prepare for the festive break, youngsters and parents are being reminded to play safe around rivers, reservoirs, lochs and streams, which could be frozen at this time of year.
Mrs Jane McKenzie, Scottish Water’s regional communities manager for Argyll & Bute, is concerned people may be risking their lives around freezing watercourses at this time of year.
She said: “While it’s important that youngsters enjoy their school holidays and that people across Scotland take pleasure in the country’s beautiful lochs, rivers and reservoirs, it’s also vital that they stay safe.
“We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, but we are reminding parents to keep their children safe, and asking adults to act responsibly around watercourses. Don’t wander too near the edge because you could slip and fall in. Dogs also need to be kept on a lead if they are being walked near reservoirs and other bodies of open water.”
That’s a message which the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is keen to reiterate, particularly at this time of year.
Peter Cornall, RoSPA's head of leisure safety, said: “Sadly, we see drownings every year during the winter, particularly when the water freezes over. Often people lose their footing when attempting to rescue a pet and all too frequently, the pet clambers out unharmed while the owner doesn’t.”
Be aware of hidden dangers
Reservoirs are man made features and because of their purpose, they have a number of unique hidden dangers. These relate mainly to built structures such as dams, spillways (overflows) and water intakes (underwater pipe work that takes water out of the reservoir) and the effects of these.
Other hidden dangers found at reservoirs include deep water – which will be very, very cold at this time of year, underwater plant life and steep banks.
Each year, there are more accidental drowning deaths in inland waters than in any other type of water.
Keep the kids safe
Children are another group most at risk in such accidents. It is vital parents explain the dangers to their children. Adults themselves should set a good example. Even strong swimmers could be fooled by waters which may be colder than they might look.
Mrs McKenzie continued: “Natural hazards can also lurk beneath the surface, where children and adults can get entangled in vegetation or stuck in mud. The majority of reservoirs are remote and so there is a lack of immediate assistance. Safety education is a priority – please play safe this Christmas.”
Protect your pets
During the Festive break people will have more time on their hands and are more likely to seek exercise, both for themselves and their family pet. They are likely to visit such sites during crisp, wintry conditions.
One of the biggest concerns with dog owners is when their pet dives in, chasing a ball or stick. The pet more often survives such incidents, but the owners, who have attempted to save them, do not.
Dogs need to be kept on a lead if they are being walked near reservoirs and other bodies of open water.
Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “We know that many dog owners would go to great lengths for their animals, but attempting a water rescue is extremely dangerous and likely to end in tragedy for the person rather than the pet.
“Never go in after your dog, no matter how desperate you might be for its safety. A dog is much more likely to make it out of the water that a person. Likewise, if your dog runs on to an iced pond, never chase after it. The ice may be able to hold the weight of an animal, but it’s much less likely to hold a human.
“The safest option is to keep your dog on a lead near water, but if the worst happens and it does end up in the water and in trouble, stay calm and call the emergency services or the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
If customers would like more information they can contact our Customer Helpline on 0845 601 8855 or www.scottishwater.co.uk/takecare.
As schools across Argyll & Bute prepare for the festive break, youngsters and parents are being reminded to play safe around rivers, reservoirs, lochs and streams, which could be frozen at this time of year.
Mrs Jane McKenzie, Scottish Water’s regional communities manager for Argyll & Bute, is concerned people may be risking their lives around freezing watercourses at this time of year.
She said: “While it’s important that youngsters enjoy their school holidays and that people across Scotland take pleasure in the country’s beautiful lochs, rivers and reservoirs, it’s also vital that they stay safe.
“We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, but we are reminding parents to keep their children safe, and asking adults to act responsibly around watercourses. Don’t wander too near the edge because you could slip and fall in. Dogs also need to be kept on a lead if they are being walked near reservoirs and other bodies of open water.”
That’s a message which the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is keen to reiterate, particularly at this time of year.
Peter Cornall, RoSPA's head of leisure safety, said: “Sadly, we see drownings every year during the winter, particularly when the water freezes over. Often people lose their footing when attempting to rescue a pet and all too frequently, the pet clambers out unharmed while the owner doesn’t.”
Be aware of hidden dangers
Reservoirs are man made features and because of their purpose, they have a number of unique hidden dangers. These relate mainly to built structures such as dams, spillways (overflows) and water intakes (underwater pipe work that takes water out of the reservoir) and the effects of these.
Other hidden dangers found at reservoirs include deep water – which will be very, very cold at this time of year, underwater plant life and steep banks.
Each year, there are more accidental drowning deaths in inland waters than in any other type of water.
Keep the kids safe
Children are another group most at risk in such accidents. It is vital parents explain the dangers to their children. Adults themselves should set a good example. Even strong swimmers could be fooled by waters which may be colder than they might look.
Mrs McKenzie continued: “Natural hazards can also lurk beneath the surface, where children and adults can get entangled in vegetation or stuck in mud. The majority of reservoirs are remote and so there is a lack of immediate assistance. Safety education is a priority – please play safe this Christmas.”
Protect your pets
During the Festive break people will have more time on their hands and are more likely to seek exercise, both for themselves and their family pet. They are likely to visit such sites during crisp, wintry conditions.
One of the biggest concerns with dog owners is when their pet dives in, chasing a ball or stick. The pet more often survives such incidents, but the owners, who have attempted to save them, do not.
Dogs need to be kept on a lead if they are being walked near reservoirs and other bodies of open water.
Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “We know that many dog owners would go to great lengths for their animals, but attempting a water rescue is extremely dangerous and likely to end in tragedy for the person rather than the pet.
“Never go in after your dog, no matter how desperate you might be for its safety. A dog is much more likely to make it out of the water that a person. Likewise, if your dog runs on to an iced pond, never chase after it. The ice may be able to hold the weight of an animal, but it’s much less likely to hold a human.
“The safest option is to keep your dog on a lead near water, but if the worst happens and it does end up in the water and in trouble, stay calm and call the emergency services or the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
If customers would like more information they can contact our Customer Helpline on 0845 601 8855 or www.scottishwater.co.uk/takecare.