Every year, the August bank holiday weekend brings tragedies and sorrow to many, either by incidents of drowning, road carnage, fire burns or smoke inhalation.
Planning for a safe and enjoyable weekend is easy, and spotting dangers, avoiding risks, and staying safe is just as easy. As many people enjoy the summer break, and as many others plan for the August Bank Holiday weekend, safety officers are urging people to be mindful of the risks and dangers associated with fire, road and water-based activities such as barbeques, swimming or driving.
Amber Thursday takes place on Thursday 3rd August, ahead of the bank holiday weekend. It’s a joint initiative between road safety, water safety and fire safety officials from Local Authorities, Fire Services and Water Safety Ireland to raise awareness about the risks and dangers associated with activities on the water, at campfires and barbeques or while using the roads.
August bank holiday weekend is by far one of the busiest weekends of the year, and a good weekend is always weather dependent. People tend to flock to a beach, a river or pool, others take to the roads while some go camping or fire up the barbeque either in the garden or away from the home. All these activities bring with them, an important element of safety and awareness.
Road Safety
Some of the main factors associated with killer behaviours on the roads are speeding, drink or drug driving, the non-wearing of a seatbelt and driver fatigue. These actions can lead to a collision, resulting in serious or fatal injuries by road users. A single road death can affect a whole community, leaving a lasting effect for many years.
Spokesperson for the The Local Authority Road Safety Officers group, LARSO, Declan Keogh, Road Safety Officer with Kildare County Council, outlined “There has been a notable increase in road deaths and serious injuries over the past few weeks and months, and sadly, the trend has moved in the wrong direction. This bank holiday weekend will see an increase of vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians using the roads. Every road user needs to be mindful of their surroundings and be courteous and considerate to others using the road. Simple things such as a motorist reducing their speed and being sober, vulnerable road users increasing their visibility and people wearing a seatbelt while travelling in a vehicle can all go a long way in having a safe and enjoyable journey. Motorists making long trips should plan ahead and take regular breaks during the journey.”
Water Safety
People are advised to swim at designated bathing areas where lifeguards are on duty. If there are no designated bathing areas near you, then swim at known safe traditional bathing areas where there are ringbuoys in place. Always ensure that the ringbuoy is in its yellow box before entering the water.
When cold water makes contact with your skin, the cold shock response causes an immediate loss of breathing control, possible dizziness and panic. Even when the water is calm and you know how to swim, the shock of cold water can dramatically increase the risk of sudden drowning. For those who survive this, but are unable to get out of the water, progressive body cooling leads to hypothermia and muscle cooling, making swimming more difficult or impossible.
Joanne Walsh, CEO of Water Safety Ireland said “We want everyone to enjoy Ireland’s beautiful waterways safely, and always plan and prepare. Swim within your depth, stay within your depth. Make every effort to swim at a lifeguarded waterway. All the lifeguarded waterways are listed on Water Safety Ireland’s website, www.watersafety.ie. Provide constant uninterrupted supervision for the children, do not use inflatable toys and wear a personal flotation device when using recreational crafts, boating or fishing.”
Fire Safety
The fire service is called out to deal with various types of incidents throughout the year other than just fires, traffic incidents and rescues. The August bank holiday weekend can be a busy time for the service as calls to deal with wildfires, forest fires, outdoor fires, barbeque or domestic fires can increase during this period.
Members of the public should be aware of the risks from fires occurring outdoors, in the home or in the garden. People don’t always realise how quickly a fire can spread or a how quick a small incident can escalate into a larger one if it’s not managed safely. The public is also reminded not to barbeque or light a campfire in parks, wildland areas or in areas close to vegetation or trees and be mindful not to discard any cigarette butts on the ground.