Water safety must be in forefront of all our minds always – Wall
Water safety must be in forefront of all our minds always - Wall - The Labour Party
Marking Water Safety Week, Labour social protection spokesperson Mark Wall TD has urged all those partaking in outdoor activities to remain vigilant and keep water safety at the forefront of their minds.
Deputy Wall said:
“Unfortunately, 78 drownings occurred in Ireland last year. A third of those happened in June which is why this Water Safety Week is a timely reminder to us all to be careful when outdoors and near water.
“The loss of three people under 18 over the last two weeks is a stark reminder of the dangers of water.
“1,124 people drowned in the last 10 years. During the same period, 1,515 people lost their lives on our roads. Drowning accounted for 43% of this combined total of 2,639 road and water deaths.
“These figures published by Water Safety Ireland are a stark reminder to us all to remain vigilant when out enjoying Ireland’s many swimming spots.
“For those who enjoy water-related activities such as swimming, diving, skiing, and canoeing, it is imperative to be familiar with the local environment and never take the water for granted. The best practice is to never go out alone, and always check equipment before leaving the shore.
“Even confident swimmers should always remain vigilant. People should always try to swim in areas that are traditionally known to be safe and to stay within their depth.
“A loss of one life is one life too many. We must all be careful to educate ourselves and be mindful when swimming and enjoying the beautiful weather.”