DORSET and Wiltshire Fire Rescue Service are urging people to be 'water aware' as lockdown restrictions ease.

With restrictions easing, it is anticipated that many people will head to coastal locations and inland water beauty spots.

Although few people would think they might become a water incident statistic, people are urged to remember that in the UK in 2019, more people died from accidental drowning than cyclists did on the road.

The National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) is running a Be Water Aware campaign until May 2, and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is taking part to encourage people not to be complacent when spending time in and around water, with the aim of encouraging people to be safe by being aware of the risks.

The NFCC’s Drowning Prevention Lead. Dawn Whittaker said: "We want people to enjoy spending time in and around water safely and that’s why we are asking people to be water aware. By highlighting this issue and making sure simple safety messages reach them, we hope to reduce the number of these needless and preventable deaths."

Following simple advice will help reduce the 223 accidental drownings reported in 2019 and the many more injuries, which can be life-changing, following water related incidents.

The advice includes: actively supervise children in and around water, never swim alone, don’t drink alcohol when undertaking water related activities, avoid walking routes near water if you have been drinking alcohol and don’t dive or jump straight into open water as this can cause potentially fatal cold water shock, even on the warmest day.

If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, don’t panic, extend your arms and legs out and float on your back until the effects of cold water shock pass.

Never enter the water to try and rescue someone, call 999 and ask for the Fire Service if inland and the Coastguard if you are by the sea.