Warning on frozen lakes
Schools and colleges are being contacted to advise pupils to keep clear of frozen lakes and water attractions when icy.
Despite the thaw Carmarthenshire council officials warn it is when conditions are most dangerous and ice more likely to given way.
Over the last week 13 people got into difficulty at parks and facilities managed by the council with people, especially youngsters ignoring signs put up warning of the danger and asking people to keep of the ice.
People are potentially risking their lives by skating on frozen ponds and allowing their dogs to run onto the ice on lakes warns the council.
County park wardens have had to respond to incidents in the last week at Old Castle Pond at People’s Park, Dafen Pond Park and Swiss Valley in Llanelli, and at Cwmoernant in Carmarthen.
Grounds maintenance manager, Paul Murray, said: “Some people have been risking their safety by attempting to walk or skate on the frozen ponds.
“Not only is this a grave risk to themselves but also jeopardises the safety of anyone who may have to attempt to rescue them.
“We are also asking pet owners to be responsible – obviously if their dogs were to get in to trouble on the ice their natural response would be to go out after it, and that goes against all our advice.
“We can’t emphasise enough the dangers of trying to walk, skate or play on this ice.”
Pond ice has been found to be more than six inches thick in parts but considerable thinning and weaker in the middle of the attractions and that is where the water is deepest. Parts of Old Castle Pond are more than 40 ft deep and Cwmoerant which has a central well over 100ft deep.
The ice, although thick in parts, could easily give way under the weight of a person. Ice can trap a person under water, and could lead to drowning, asphyxia and hypothermia.
Many students have been seen skating at Old Castle Pond and Dafen Pond where two have had to be rescued.
Anyone who sees a person, or a dog, in trouble on a frozen body of water, is strongly advised not to attempt to go out on to the ice themselves.
Instead they should call 999, and to use something that will extend their reach from a safe, secure, place on dry land to throw to the person.
People are also asked if they have to use emergency equipment, B-lines and lifebelts at waterside attractions to make sure they are replaced after use is cause of following on incidents.
County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “We can put up signs, and warn pupils and students through schools and colleges and advise parents but the foolhardy will still take chances and they are dicing with death.
“The cold spell may be over for a short time but the forecast is that it will return in the next week and with the Christmas holidays almost upon us I’d urge parents to make sure their children are aware of the dangers, and also to make sure they are never left unsupervised near frozen ponds, lakes, rivers or canals.”
For further advice, log on to www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk
A college student looks over the thawing ice at Sandy Water Park, Llanelli. Pic: Jeff Connell
Despite the thaw Carmarthenshire council officials warn it is when conditions are most dangerous and ice more likely to given way.
Over the last week 13 people got into difficulty at parks and facilities managed by the council with people, especially youngsters ignoring signs put up warning of the danger and asking people to keep of the ice.
People are potentially risking their lives by skating on frozen ponds and allowing their dogs to run onto the ice on lakes warns the council.
County park wardens have had to respond to incidents in the last week at Old Castle Pond at People’s Park, Dafen Pond Park and Swiss Valley in Llanelli, and at Cwmoernant in Carmarthen.
Grounds maintenance manager, Paul Murray, said: “Some people have been risking their safety by attempting to walk or skate on the frozen ponds.
“Not only is this a grave risk to themselves but also jeopardises the safety of anyone who may have to attempt to rescue them.
“We are also asking pet owners to be responsible – obviously if their dogs were to get in to trouble on the ice their natural response would be to go out after it, and that goes against all our advice.
“We can’t emphasise enough the dangers of trying to walk, skate or play on this ice.”
Pond ice has been found to be more than six inches thick in parts but considerable thinning and weaker in the middle of the attractions and that is where the water is deepest. Parts of Old Castle Pond are more than 40 ft deep and Cwmoerant which has a central well over 100ft deep.
The ice, although thick in parts, could easily give way under the weight of a person. Ice can trap a person under water, and could lead to drowning, asphyxia and hypothermia.
Many students have been seen skating at Old Castle Pond and Dafen Pond where two have had to be rescued.
Anyone who sees a person, or a dog, in trouble on a frozen body of water, is strongly advised not to attempt to go out on to the ice themselves.
Instead they should call 999, and to use something that will extend their reach from a safe, secure, place on dry land to throw to the person.
People are also asked if they have to use emergency equipment, B-lines and lifebelts at waterside attractions to make sure they are replaced after use is cause of following on incidents.
County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “We can put up signs, and warn pupils and students through schools and colleges and advise parents but the foolhardy will still take chances and they are dicing with death.
“The cold spell may be over for a short time but the forecast is that it will return in the next week and with the Christmas holidays almost upon us I’d urge parents to make sure their children are aware of the dangers, and also to make sure they are never left unsupervised near frozen ponds, lakes, rivers or canals.”
For further advice, log on to www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk
A college student looks over the thawing ice at Sandy Water Park, Llanelli. Pic: Jeff Connell
Comments