The time of spring floods is approaching. And spring is not always a joy for those who do not observe the rules of conduct on the water during floods and when the ice is unstable. Safety rules during spring floods must be followed by everyone!
In spring, accidents involving children and teenagers are particularly frequent. Left unsupervised, they, not knowing or disregarding safety measures, engage in pranks on the bank, jump from one ice floe to another. Some manage to fish while on unstable ice. Such carelessness sometimes ends tragically. Children rush to the pond, to the river, to skate one last time, to slide down a steep bank on a sled, or simply to play on the ice. With the beginning of ice drift, children gather on the river bank, try to walk on the ice, and even climb onto floating ice floes. All this involves great risk and danger to life. Skating on ice floes, logs, rafts often leads to tragic consequences.
What are children prohibited from doing during floods?
1. Going out on water bodies in the spring period;
2. Crossing the river during ice drift;
3. Approaching the river closely in places of ice jams, standing on steep banks subject to flooding and, consequently, collapse;
4. Approaching ice jams, pushing ice floes away from the banks;
5. Measuring the depth of a river or any water body, walking on ice floes and riding on them (children often use all sorts of floating devices and abandoned boats to ride on the first open water).
4. Do not stand on steep and undermined banks – they can collapse.
When observing ice drift from a bridge, embankment, or pier, do not lean over railings and other barriers.
5. If you witness an accident on water bodies, do not panic, do not run home, but call loudly for help; adults will hear and help rescue you from trouble. Also, call rescuers immediately by phone 101 or 112.
Parents are obliged to:
1. Not allow children to go to the river without adult supervision, especially during ice drift;
2. Warn them about the danger of being on the ice when the river or lake opens up;
3. Explain the rules of conduct during floods, prohibit them from playing near the water;
4. Do not allow them to ride on homemade rafts, boards, logs, or floating ice floes. A detached ice floe, cold water, and a fast current pose a risk of an accident!
5. Explain to children the safety precautions during the ice drift and spring flood period.
You, more than anyone else, are responsible for the most precious person to you. Do not be lazy to convey this important information to children.
Head of the Lepel Rescue Station I.A. Mikhno