Play Safe, Stay Safe this Summer!
08 July 2014 16:06
Michael Bergin, Health and Safety Manager at NI Water, explains:
“Understandably, natural curiosity will draw children to these sites. However, they are not playgrounds and fooling around at or near them can have dangerous consequences.
“I would urge all parents to explain to their children the dangers of playing in or around these areas. The remoteness of our sites could hamper and delay rescue attempts, should such a need arise.
“Similarly, we would also encourage parents to highlight the dangers of reservoirs. Calm water can look very inviting, especially at this time of year, but there are many dangers associated with it, like low temperatures and the potential for becoming trapped. The temperatures in reservoirs are extremely low even on warm days and could cause the onset of hypothermia at a very early stage, making it very easy for even the strongest of swimmers to get into trouble.
“I am asking the local community to be vigilant against vandalism at NI Water sites. 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 the damage.”
NI Water has some simple steps on how to stay safe:
- Don’t climb on barriers and fences - They are there to protect you from serious injury and accidents when NI Water construction work is going on.
- Stay away from trenches and open manholes - They are dirty, deep and dangerous. They may also contain hazardous gases.
- Be careful near roads - never run out from behind parked vans or lorries as you could be knocked down and injured.
- Keep clear of equipment - You may see diggers, lorries, pipes and other equipment, but don’t be tempted - steer clear and don’t touch!
- Obey ‘Danger’ signs - reservoirs and treatment works can be dangerous places, so stay well away and always obey the warning signs.