WATER is a normally a vital tool for firefighters but recently they have been more concerned with its dangers.

Crews from Warrington have been out and about in their water rescue boat warning people about the dangers of water and offering advice to prevent people from drowning.

As part of Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Week, crews visited Tesco on Winwick Road, Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub, Great Sankey Leisure Centre and LA Bowl to promote the Chief Fire Officers Association campaign.

Station Manager Paul Jackson said: “We wanted to highlight to people that cooling off in rivers, canals, ponds, quarries and lakes may seem great fun, but it can have deadly consequences.

“We got a great response from the people we spoke to and felt that we had given a firm message that will hopefully keep people safe from drowning in the future.”

In 2013 there were 669 water-related fatalities nationally which is two-and-a-half times the number of people that died in a house fire in 2012/13.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service are encouraging people to only swim as part of an organised group, to never go swimming alone, to stay clear of boats and canoes to avoid accidents and never drink alcohol before swimming.

They are also urging people to know their limits because the cold can kill and don’t ignore the safety signs as it could cost you your life.

Further water safety advice can be found at cheshirefire.gov.uk.

For anyone wishing to pursue open water swimming there are a number of clubs that offer supervised sessions.

To find out more, visit British Swimming swimming.org/britishswimming or Open Water Swimming openwaterswim.co.uk