The CEO of Irish Water Safety, John Leech, has today warned about the increased risk of water related accidents and tragedies this weekend, thousands of marine leisure enthusiasts will take to our waters this weekend to enjoy our unique waterways. Complacency has been a factor in many Bank Holiday drownings. The public must take steps, including wearing a lifejacket to avoid becoming a drowning statistic. On average, twelve drownings occur in Ireland every month. We have lost too many people this year already, mainly because people did not wear a lifejacket.
Swimming, diving, angling, canoeing, surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing are popular holiday activities, ensure that you are adequately trained to undertake them and don't over face yourself early in the season.
Children are fascinated and attracted to water, it is critical that adults supervise children at all times around water, particularly children visiting farms where slurry tanks and open water is often unprotected.
Alcohol is a contributory factor in almost 30% of drownings, therefore I ask the public not to drink near water this weekend.
If you have not used your lifejacket or buoyancy since last year then you will need to carry out the following checks.
Detailed information on PFD's at http://www.iws.ie/guides-page24421.html
· If you are in distress or in doubt of somebody's safety, then call 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
For water safety information for children www.aquaattack.ie
To report missing ringbuoy's www.ringbuoys.ie
For more information and details of water safety classes in your area log on to www.iws.ie or LoCall Irish Water Safety on 1890 420 202.
