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GRAPHIC WATER SAFETY ADS COULD SAVE LIVES
As the fine weather continues Jim Higgins MEP is pleading with those who intend to enter the water to “take care, remain in their depth and only swim in areas known to be safe.”
“Terrifyingly, an average of 140 Irish people drown in Ireland each year. Drowning is nearly as big a killer as road deaths, yet while we have moved mountains to increase road safety we have yet to really tackle the issue of water safety.”
“Simple steps such as teaching water safety in national schools and running graphic water safety ads on TV and radio would save lives!”
Drowning is the second cause of death and injury for children in the EU. “We must remember that the average drowning time is 60 seconds and children can drown in as little as 2 inches of water.”
“Water is our most valuable and deadly resource and must be respected. 99% of our average drownings inland, in rivers or lakes or around farms and homes.”
“As the present weather is highly uncharacteristic, we simply are not used to swimming outdoors and so we are not aware of the dangers presented by hidden currents and swimming out of our depth.”
“Tragic drownings are completely preventable and usually stem from a lack of awareness of basic water safety principles – like the ability to gauge our own ability. All too often water safety education is confined to sea bordering communities something which must clearly change.”
“I have written to Minister Quinn proposing that water safety education be as prevalent in national schools as the ‘safe cross code.’
“These deaths are 100% preventable and everybody needs to assume responsibility to ensure that they are informed about basic water safety practices and that they in turn inform or carefully supervise their children.”
Higgins concluded by emphasising that live saving water safety advice is available online or from your local swimming pools.”
Further information:
Irish Water Safety Guide to Safe Swimming:
Do not swim alone
Do not swim just after eating
Do not swim when you are hot or tired
Do not swim in strange places
Do not swim out after anything drifting
Do not swim out to sea
Do not stay in the water too long
Swim parallel and close to the shore
Do what the lifeguard tells you
Never use inflatable toys
Pay attention to signs on the beach
Do not be a bully
Learn to use equipment before trying it out
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