As temperatures plummeted to as cold as minus three degrees, County Durham and Darlington saw frozen conditions, which impacted roads, paths, and green spaces, including South Park in Darlington.
During the cold snap, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service has issued some, including sharing the worrying news that children were seen going onto the ice at the park and trying to break it.
A spokesperson for the fire service said: “The cold weather conditions have meant that some areas of open water in County Durham and Darlington have frozen over.
“This includes South Park lake in Darlington where we have been made aware of some worrying reports of youngsters going onto the ice to try and break it.
“Our firefighters from Darlington Red Watch have been to the park today to remind residents of the dangers around frozen water.
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“Never walk onto ice-covered ponds or rivers. The ice is unlikely to freeze to a suitable depth to safely walk on.
“If you see someone in difficulty in the water, call 999 and ask for the fire service.
“Do not walk or climb onto the ice or go into the water to attempt a rescue.
They have also issued the following guidance:
- Talk – tell the person in the water to float on their back and to spread their arms as wide as they can across the surface of the ice in front of them.
- Reach – if there is no lifesaving equipment, look at what else you can use such as a tree branch.
- Throw – them something that floats such as lifebelts or throw bags, if nearby.
- If they are attached to a rope, make sure you hold or secure the end.