Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to stay safe in Cumbria's water as the weather warms up over the next week.

Angela Opie, group manager for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said: "In Cumbria, we carried out more than 200 water rescues between 2015 and 2020, which sadly included eight fatalities. In 2021 alone, there were 3 water-related fatalities in Cumbria." 

Ms Opie said that this was because 'they were unaware of the risks' and 'unprepared for the scenario of ending up in the water.' 

She gave the following advice for people wanting to go swimming in the Lakes: 

  • Make sure you know what to do if you fall into the water. Remember Float to Live-don't panic, float on your back and either call for help or swim to safety.
  • Do not enter the water if you've consumed alcohol, and avoid walking on routes near water. 
  • Never enter the water to try and help a person or animal-always call 999 and use any water rescue equipment if it is available. 
  • If you are visiting an area at home or abroad that is near water, make sure you are familiar with local safety information and that children are always full and actively supervised. 

Ms Opie also said: "Every year, fire destroys thousands of acres of countryside and wildlife habitats. Some fires are started deliberately, but most are due to carelessness."

She gave the following advice: 

  • Do not use barbecues in rural areas.
  • Extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials properly. 
  • Avoid using open fires in the countryside. 
  • Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows - they can easily ruin whole fields of crops. 
  • Do not leave bottles or glass in woodlands. Sunlight shining through glass can start large fires. 
  • If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately by calling 999 and asking for the Fire Service. 

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service also reiterated their guidelines for safe use of barbeques at home: 

  • Never leave a lit barbecue unattended.
  • Follow the safety instructions provided with disposable barbecues. 
  • Make sure your barbecue is well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs or garden waste. 
  • Don't use accelerants such as lighter fluid or alcohol. 
  • Keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area.
  • After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before moving it.
  • Empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins. If they’re hot, they can melt the plastic and cause a fire.
  • Always keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for emergencies.
  • Never use a barbecue indoors.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service will be sharing a range of resources on their website and social media channels for further advice.