The National Water Safety Forum and the National Fire Chiefs Council issued a joint warning on 8 January 2026 urging the public to keep off frozen inland waters as the UK experiences a significant cold snap. The two bodies said cold temperatures had led to the freezing over of many inland waters, which can be a risk to life.
The warning states that ice can be extremely unpredictable, and that it is impossible to tell how thick it is or whether it can bear weight. It comes, the announcement says, in the wake of several fatalities in recent years where people lost their lives after falling through ice. The National Water Safety Forum said it aims to educate the public about the dangers of frozen and icy waters and to promote informed, safe outdoor activities during the colder months. With some schools closing due to weather conditions, parents and carers are encouraged to share the warning with young people.
Gavin Ellis, Water Safety Lead for the National Fire Chiefs Council, said:
"Our message is simple: please stay off frozen lakes, rivers and canals. Ice is never safe, and what looks like fun can quickly turn into a life-threatening emergency. We urge parents and carers to speak to children about the dangers and help keep them safe this winter."
Professor Mike Tipton, Chair of the National Water Safety Forum, said that icy conditions present a unique set of risks and that frozen waterways are a serious threat to life, increasing the chance of an accidental immersion and cold shock, which can kill in seconds1.
The National Water Safety Forum's advice, as published, is set out below.
| Situation | Advice given |
|---|---|
| General | Stay off the ice; ice thickness and water depth are variable and unpredictable. Keep back from the edge, as fallen leaves or snow might obscure the boundary and ice makes things slippery underfoot. Always supervise children and never let them play on or near frozen water. Keep dogs on a lead and do not throw balls or sticks onto frozen water for them to fetch1 |
| Someone falls through the ice | Do not go onto the ice yourself to attempt a rescue; phone 999 immediately. Tell the person in the water to stay calm and float on their back. Look for nearby rescue equipment to throw, or try to reach them from solid ground with a branch or pole. Try to keep your eyes on the person at all times. If you are able to get them out safely, keep them warm with dry clothing and or shelter until the emergency services arrive1 |
| A dog falls through the ice | Do not attempt a direct rescue; encourage your pet to swim back to you so that you can lift them out. If your pet cannot reach you, use a branch or pole to reach them without venturing onto the ice1 |
| You fall through the ice | Float on your back until you feel calm. Shout for help when your breathing is under control. Try to climb out by turning back the way you came, spreading your arms across the surface of the ice in front of you and pulling yourself out slowly. If you cannot climb out, continue to float with your head clear of the water and wait for the emergency services1 |
Why it matters for households
The warning applies across the UK, wherever inland waters have frozen during the cold snap. The announcement does not list specific lakes, canals, rivers or lochs, and no regional breakdown of affected waters has been reported. The National Fire Chiefs Council and the National Water Safety Forum advise that people stay off all frozen water, keep back from edges, supervise children and keep dogs on a lead. The bodies also advise that nobody should go onto the ice to attempt a rescue, and that 999 should be phoned immediately. The site's guides on what to do if someone falls through ice and on cold water shock set out the background to immersion and cold shock, and the storms and snow and first aid hubs cover related winter hazards.
What happens next
No further steps, dates or follow-up announcements have been reported. The National Water Safety Forum says it is providing knowledge on the risks, and parents and carers are encouraged to share the warning with young people while some schools are closed due to the weather1.
Falling Through Ice
Cold Water Shock
