TWFRS take water safety messages to The Boat Race of The North this weekend

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service will be teaming up with our colleagues from the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) on Saturday 17 March to remind people of the dangers of cold water shock and the risks associated with consuming alcohol when adjacent to water.

Large volumes of people are expected to attend The Boat Race of the North between Durham and Newcastle Universities on the River Tyne, it presents the perfect opportunity to press home our message.

Thousands of rowing fans, students and tourists will attend a day of rowing races and fun as well as catching the England v Ireland Six Nations Rugby match being show live in Times Square.

A TWFRS fire appliance will be in attendance at the races on Saturday and staff from both organisations will be on hand to talk to people about the dangers and how they can keep themselves safe this Spring and Summer when around water.

Group Manager Tony Markwell said: “Alcohol seriously affects people’s ability to get themselves out of trouble, as the lighter nights approach it’s important that people are reminded of the dangers associated with drinking alcohol adjacent to water as well has the effect that cold water has on the body if they were to enter it. We are delighted to work alongside our partners the RLSS to help promote these important safety messages.

“Don’t drink and drown is a simple but strong message for everyone to remember. Alcohol makes drinkers feel more confident and less coordinated which might be OK on a dance floor but could be fatal in freezing cold lakes or rivers.”