The first of two Halton Borough Council community water safety events was held at Phoenix Park on Wednesday 18 June.
Planned by the Council’s Environment Services Team, the event brought together more than 150 children from six of the town’s schools, emergency responders, and local representatives to help promote responsible behaviour around water and safety, during Drowning Prevention Week.
The event featured live demonstrations of water rescue from Cheshire Fire & Rescue and interactive displays from the Royal Life Saving Society, the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, Council Park Rangers and Road Safety Team – all designed to educate children on staying safe around water.
Cllr Andrea Wall, the Council’s Executive Board Member for Community Safety, said: “With summer approaching, some of our residents may be tempted to turn to our water bodies for recreation. We hope to raise awareness of the dangers presented by water and make water safety second nature to members of our community to help keep them safe from danger or harm.”
Firefighter Matt Cullen, Watch Manager, Cheshire Fire & Rescue White Watch (Runcorn) added, “We unfortunately see the consequences of poor water safety awareness, with drowning amongst the leading causes of accidental death in the UK. We were thrilled with the turnout as this kind of hands-on education is vital in helping to prevent emergencies.”
The next water safety event will be held in Widnes later in the summer with the organisers looking to replicate the success of the event held in Runcorn.