Public encouraged to learn life-saving water safety skills ahead of this summer

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging people to learn life-saving water safety skills this spring and summer, after attending 16 incidents last year where people sadly accidentally lost their lives in the water. 

Monday (28 April) marks the start of the National Fire Chiefs Council's Be Water Aware Week, which aims to raise awareness about the risk of accidental drowning and provide water safety advice ahead of the warmer months. 

Emyr Gough, Head of Prevention and Protection at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We want everyone, residents and visitors alike, to enjoy spending time on and near the water in Norfolk this year but we want people to do it safely. 

"Take some time now to learn what to do if someone gets into difficulty in the water and then please share that information with your friends and family. It could save someone's life." 

Remember: 

• Call 999 for help if someone is in trouble in the water - do not attempt to rescue them yourself. Ask for the Coastguard if you are at the coast or on the Broads or Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service if you are inland. Tell the person in the water to float on their back and throw something to them like a throwline (but anything that floats can help save a life)
• Stay safe near any open water. Most people who drown had no intention of entering the water - such as people walking near it and slipping, tripping or falling
• Respect the water - it's stronger than you think. Even calm looking waters can have strong currents, cold temperatures and hidden dangers
• Cold water shock can affect your ability to swim. Even in the summer, enter water slowly to acclimatise rather than jumping in
• Float to live - if you do get into difficulty in the water, lie back in a star position with your ears submerged and float to regain control of your breathing 
• Don't go into the water under the influence or alcohol and/or drugs. This can lead to drowning
• Wear a lifejacket - however strong a swimmer you are. It is an essential piece of kit to keep you safe

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service is part of the Norfolk Water Safety Forum, which is committed to educating the public and improving safety on our waterways and coastal areas. It is made up of Norfolk Police's Broads Beat, the RNLI, HM Coastguard, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and the Norfolk Community Safety Partnership. 

People are being given the opportunity to learn more about water safety and take part in some throwline training at two events organised by Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service next week. 

On Wednesday (30 April) between 10am and 2pm the crew from Stalham will be joined by our Urban Search and Rescue team and members of our Prevention team and the RNLI on The Green in Potter Heigham, giving water safety advice and throwline training to residents and businesses in the area. People are invited to turn up on the day to meet the friendly teams.   

On Friday (2 May) Carrow Green Watch will be joined by Norfolk Constabulary's Broads Beat to deliver throwline training to local businesses and members of the public at Riverside in Norwich from 11am.   

For more information about water safety, visit: Safety on or near water - Norfolk County Council. 

Follow Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service on social media for key safety information throughout the year.