Ice Safety

Cold weather brings hidden dangers around water. Frozen lakes, rivers, lochs and reservoirs may look inviting, but they can also be deadly. Risks posed by ice and cold water are often underestimated, leading to serious incidents.

To keep yourself and your loved ones safe this winter, follow these five key pieces of safety advice:

Stay off the ice - never walk or play on ice, it’s impossible to tell if it can bear weight
Maintain a safe distance from water edges - snow and leaves can obscure the edge of paths, and icy surfaces increase the risk of slipping into freezing water
Check safety signage - be aware of safety signs indicating potential hazards.
Supervise children near water - keep children away from icy or frozen water areas and do not allow them to venture onto ice
Keep control of pets - keep dogs on a lead near ice and avoid throwing sticks or balls onto frozen water

What to do in an emergency

If someone falls through the ice:

Do not go onto the ice yourself to attempt a rescue – instead, phone 999 immediately
Tell the person in the water to stay calm and float on their back
Look for nearby rescue equipment to throw, or try to reach them from solid ground with a branch or pole
Try to keep your eyes on the person in the water at all times
If you are able to get the person out safely, keep them warm with dry clothing and/ or shelter until the emergency services arrive

If a dog falls through the ice:

Do not attempt a direct rescue – instead, encourage your pet to swim back to you so that you can lift them out
If your pet cannot reach you, use a branch or pole to reach them without venturing onto the ice.

If you fall through the ice:

Float on your back until you feel calm
Shout for help when your breathing is under control
Try to climb out by turning back the way you came, spreading your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you and pulling yourself out slowly
If you cannot climb out, continue to float with your head clear of the water and wait for the emergency services