Fire service issues warning to 'respect the water'

It's hoped more engines will be wrapped in the future

Avon Fire and Rescue Service is wrapping its fire engines in messages highlighting the dangers of local waterways.

One fire engine, which serves the Bedminster area and Bristol Harbourside, has been labelled with advice for what to do if someone gets into difficulty in the water.

The fire service says according to the the most recent figures from the Water Incident Database, 13 people accidentally drowned in Bristol between 2014 and 2022.

Water safety is a priority in the city's Harbourside as well and Bath Weir areas.

The fire service says the wrapping is a cheap way of sending out an important message

"If by doing this we save at least one life - that's one life that we've saved", says Vaughan Jenkins, area manager for response and operations at Avon Fire and Rescue Service.

"It's a quick way to get our message out there and is a highly visible way of doing that," he added.

The service was called to 211 incidents involving water in Bristol in 2023.

Mr Jenkins says different engines can be labelled with different messages depending on the area they cover.

This engine will be seen in Bedminster

Mr Jenkins says if people get into difficulty they should try and float first, compose their breath and then try and get to the water's edge.

Throughout 2024 engines will be wrapped to highlight other important issues such as domestic violence, Black History Month and organ donation.