Play Safe, Stay Safe this Summer

23 June 2020 13:10

The summer holidays are nearly here, and with many of us taking a Staycation this year, NI Water would like to take this opportunity to remind parents and young people about the dangers of playing near treatment works, reservoirs and construction sites. 

Cathy Uprichard, Head of Safety, Health, and Environment at NI Water, explains: 

“With more children and young people at home this summer, natural curiosity can draw them towards our sites.  However, these are not playgrounds and fooling around at or near them can have very serious consequences.

“I would urge all parents to explain the dangers of playing in or around these areas to their children. The remoteness of many of our sites could hamper and delay rescue attempts, should such a need arise.  

‘‘As the days get brighter, children are likely to be outside for longer so this advice can be even more useful.

“I am also asking the local community to be vigilant against vandalism at NI Water sites over this holiday period. This damage can cause major delays in work schedules aimed at providing local communities with a vital service and valuable time and money is wasted repairing such damage.

“The safety of our staff and customers is our top priority and we advise everyone to Stay Safe at this difficult time.”

Reservoirs, treatment works and disused construction sites are not playgrounds and playing at or near them can have very serious consequences.

NI Water has some simple steps on how to stay safe: 

1. Don’t climb on barriers and fences - They are there to protect you from serious injury and accidents. 
2. Stay away from trenches and open manholes – they could collapse or contain hazardous gases. 
3. Be careful near roads - never run out from behind parked vans or lorries as you could be knocked down and injured. 
4. Keep clear of equipment - You may see diggers, lorries, pipes and other equipment, but do not be tempted - steer clear and don’t touch! 
5. Obey ‘closed’ signs - reservoirs and treatment works can be very dangerous places, so stay well away and always obey the no entry signs.  
6. Contact the police on 101 if you see any suspicious activity at one of our sites.

For further information on NI Water’s advice in the current climate log on to:  https://www.niwater.com/covid19/