An East Lancashire primary school has issued a warning to avoid expanses of frozen water after footage emerged of children playing on the icy surface of Hoddlesden Reservoir.
St Paul’s Church of England Primary School, in Hoddlesden, said they were made aware of the footage of children and young people walking and playing on the frozen surface.
The school has confirmed that they have spoken to pupils in year 4, 5 and 6 to reinforce that the reservoir should not be used as a place of play.
A spokesperson said: “We have been made aware that children and young people have recently been seen walking and playing on the frozen surface of Hoddlesden Reservoir.
“This is extremely dangerous. Ice on open water is unpredictable and can break without warning, with very serious consequences.
“Our pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6 have been spoken to today to reinforce an important message that we share regularly throughout the year: the reservoir is dangerous at all times and must never be used as a place to play, especially during icy conditions.”
The school asked that parents speak with their children at home to reinforce the safety message.
Liam Wilson, prevention lead at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, highlighted the hidden risks of walking on frozen bodies of water following a similar incident in Clayton-le-Moors on January 6.
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He said: “While a frozen lake or river may look solid, the ice is often far thinner and weaker than people realise.
“We are urging everyone to stay well clear of frozen water, keep children away, and ensure dogs are kept on leads at all times. Falling through ice can have devastating consequences.
“Cold water shock and hypothermia can set in very quickly, making it extremely difficult for someone to get out of the water without help.
"We also want to remind pet owners not to enter the water if their dog falls through the ice. Around 50 per cent of ice-related drownings involve people attempting to rescue a dog.
"Instead, call the emergency services immediately and keep yourself safe. Simple steps like staying off the ice, keeping a safe distance from the water’s edge, supervising children closely, and paying attention to safety signage can save lives during wintry conditions.”
Lancashire has been hit by a cold snap this week, with another weather warning for ice and snow issued on Sunday.
Blackburn with Darwen is not currently covered by the warning, but temperatures are set to remain low in the borough, along with in Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.
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