Floods
Some parts of Oxfordshire flood in wet weather. This causes inconvenience and damage, but can also be dangerous:
- Unexpected floods or currents can knock you off your feet or bicycle.
- Floods hide the edges of waterways, so you can accidentally enter deep water or stray off paths.
- Flood water is dirty and murky, covering obstacles and dangers like storm drains
Take Action: Learn about river and waterway safety.
Freezing weather
When ice forms on canals, rivers and lakes it can be tempting, but it’s rarely thick enough to walk across. Don’t risk falling in, stay away from the edge of the ice. If someone falls in: don’t follow them onto the ice, call emergency services (999), and only help from land. If you walk a dog, make sure to keep it on a lead so they don’t stray onto the ice.
Snow and ice can bring hazards of slides and slips. Take extra care when you’re walking and wear grippy shoes. If you bike or drive, move slowly and allow extra time for braking.
When you go sledging, choose a safe location with no hazards and enough coasting distance at the bottom.
Crucial: Cold and wet? You may feel fine, but still need to get warm and dry as soon as possible, especially if you are ill, hungry, thirsty, tired, or have been drinking or taking drugs. Hypothermia is extremely dangerous.
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