The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations issued warnings intended for those who use to swim in frigid water on the feast of Epiphany. It recommends using only specially set up places where stairs are available. Warm-up exercises should be done before going down into water. The person should stay in the icy water for at most 10 seconds and should dry the body with a towel and put on warm clothes when going out so as to avoid hyperemia, IPN reports.

It is banned ice-swimming while under the influence of alcohol. There should not be many persons on ice, near the palace of swimming, as this can break. Children should be under the permanent supervision of adults.

On Epiphany Eve, rescuers staged a demonstrative exercise to show what risks are faced and what should be done to avoid them. The exercise was performed at rescue station No. 7 in Râșcani district of Chisinau.

On January 19, Orthodox Christians observe Epiphany, also known as Theophany in Eastern Christian traditions, which celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. A tradition on this day is to swim in icy water.

On the feast of Epiphany, there will be officers and sub-officers of the Ministry of Homer Affairs’ subdivision near lakes and rivers to monitor the situation.