Stay safe next to icy and frozen water
Icy and frozen water can be extremely dangerous.
Frozen Waters
Frozen lakes, ponds and canals are dangerous and should be avoided. Each year, the Community Safety Unit receives reports of children playing on the ice and they are warning them to stay off.
It is vitally important that people heed the warnings to stay off frozen water and that parents/carers speak to their children about the dangers.
It is astonishing but adults can also be tempted on to the ice. Each year throughout the UK, several people die from falling through frozen ice, in most instances children or pets are involved. Often, the consequences can be severe.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has issued good advice which is helpful and should be followed.
Visit: www.rospa.com (opens new window) for more information
Visiting Canals in Winter
Scottish Canals urges everyone to take care whilst visiting the Scottish canals this Winter in particular whilst they are frozen over.
No one should walk on frozen waters under any circumstances no matter how tempting this may be. The ice can be very thin and the water is freezing and moving in currents below the surface.
The canals are visited all year round by thousands of people and can look particularly attractive during the snowy weather but Scottish Canals' message for visitors is to always Stay safe and Stay away from the water's edge.
This is particularly important on icy or frosty days as towpaths, bridges and lock-sides can be particularly slippery.
Snow can also cover potential trip hazards such as boat mooring rings which sit close to the water's edge.
Children, in particular, should always be accompanied by an adult when they visit the canals and Scottish Canals asks all adults to help make children aware of the potential dangers of playing near frozen waters or on icy towpaths at this time of year.
