Water and fire safety

The Wakefield district is home to beautiful parks, countryside and waterways.
They are great places to visit and enjoy spending time outdoors.  They’re important for nature and they’re good for our health and wellbeing.

While enjoying these spaces, it’s important to stay safe and to protect the environment.

Water Safety

There are many areas of open water in our district, including rivers, canals, and lakes and ponds in our parks.  

On a warm day, they can look inviting places to cool off.  And, in winter, frozen water may appear OK to walk on.  But they are never safe places to go in or on.  Even if you are a strong swimmer.  

Open water is dangerous

Cold water shock

At the edges, water may seem refreshing but deeper water is very cold.  If you suddenly enter water at 15°C or below, it causes a sudden intake of breath, rapid breathing and high blood pressure. This can lead to drowning.

Hidden hazards

Weeds, rocks, fallen trees, fishing lines or other rubbish may be hidden under the surface. These can cause injury or trap you.

Currents

All stretches of water can have currents and eddies, even if the surface appears calm.  These can pull you off balance, carry you away or push you into hard surfaces.

Unexpected depth

Water can be deeper or shallower than you think. You can easily get out of your depth or get into difficulty if you jump in.

Difficult exits

Steep sides and slippery banks can make it hard to get out.

Blue-green algae

Algae in the water can cause illness in humans, such as rashes, eye irritation, vomiting and diarrhoea.  It can also be fatal to dogs.

You can enjoy swimming all year round at our five indoor pools in the district:

• Aspire@The Park
• Featherstone Sports Complex
• Minsthorpe Leisure
• Normanton Leisure
• Sun Lane Leisure

For details of locations, opening times and lessons, visit our Swimming page.

Wakefield Water Safety Week 2026

Come along to Water Safety Week to find out more about water safety.

Including:

• the dangers of open water and what effects it can have
• understanding what happens to you in water through our water flume demonstration
• experiencing Cold Water Shock
• learning life-saving techniques e.g. throwline training and CPR
• seeing demonstrations from the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Date and time: Monday 25 May, 11am to 2pm

Location:  Swan and Cygnet pub (Bob Lake)

What Three Words location: ///equipping.followers.octopus

Activities: Throwline training, Water Flume demonstration, Cold Water Shock pool, CPR

Date and time: Wednesday 27 May, 11am to 2pm

Location: Hepworth Gallery Wakefield

What Three Words location: ///chat.ship.level

Activities: Bankside Responder Scheme, Water Flume demonstration

Date and time: Thursday 28 May, 11am to 2pm

Location: Pugneys

What Three Words location: ///acids.happier.removing

Activities: Throwline training, Water Flume demonstration, CPR

Date and time: Friday 29 May, 11am to 2pm

Location: Anglers Country Park

What Three Words location: ///presenter.outbound.seated

Activities: Throwline training, Water Flume demonstration

Date and time: Saturday 30 May, 11am to 2pm

Location: Swan and Cygnet (Bob Lake)

What Three Words location: ///equipping.followers.octopus

Activities: Throwline training, Water Flume demonstration, Cold Water Shock pool, CPR

What to do in an emergency

Most accidental drownings in open water happen to people that didn't mean to go into the water. They might have slipped whilst walking, running, or cycling next to it.

Stay safe by:

• being aware of safety signs and follow the advice
• staying well away from the banks of the water
• don't try to rescue pets by following them into water - keep dogs on a lead during icy weather or when blue-green algae is present in the water

If you see someone in danger, remember “Phone, Float, Throw”

Phone 999 to get help.

Tell them to stay calm and float on their back.

Throw rescue equipment to help them float until emergency services arrive

Once the person has been rescued, keep them warm - take them to hospital or wait for the emergency services, even if they appear to be unharmed

For more information about water safety visit West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Fire Safety

In recent years, wildfires have caused serious damage across areas of Yorkshire.  Fires can start very easily.  

But there are simple things we can do to help reduce the risk of fires in our parks and countryside.

Put out cigarettes completely and never discard cigarettes or vapes on the ground.

Put any litter in bins or take it away. It can be potential fuel for a fire.

Clear away bottles, glasses and any broken glass. It can magnify sunlight and start a fire.

Only use barbecues in authorised areas - please do not bring barbecues to any of our parks.

For more information about fire safety: West Yorkshire Fire Service.