‘Don’t be sorry this Summer’ warns NI Water
The summer holidays are well underway, and with the good weather we’ve been having, many children and young people will be spending much of their time outdoors.
However, NI Water wishes to remind everyone, particularly parents and guardians, to be alert to the dangers that are around us.
Construction sites, treatment works and reservoirs are fully operational working sites – not playgrounds or swimming pools.
Although these sites may seem adventurous, and our unused bodies of water may look like the best place to relax on a sunny day, NI Water reiterates that these are hazardous and not open to the public to use at their leisure.
Michael Bergin, NI Water’s Health and Safety Manager, explained, “Understandably, a reservoir can look like the perfect place to cool down on a warm day, but while it may look safe, it can be extremely dangerous. You may swim well in a warm indoor pool, but that does not mean that you will be able to swim in extremely cold water.
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‘‘Many of our reservoir sites are in remote areas, far away from towns and perhaps difficult to access, or maybe with poor mobile phone reception. By the time help arrives, it could all be too late. It is no exaggeration to say that a quick dip in a reservoir on a warm day could lead to a quick death.
‘‘The same goes for vandalism of NI Water sites, and I am also urging the local community to be vigilant as NI Water is experiencing a growing problem of people vandalising our sites or damaging fencing around sites to gain access. Vandalised gates and fences can create a major danger for young children or animals who may wander into these sites.
“It is important that people remember that our sites are not playgrounds, and that they can be extremely dangerous for unauthorised personnel without the correct training or equipment.
He added, “Vandalism can also lead to the delay of important infrastructure projects intended to benefit the entire community, as well as the subsequent outlay of money which would be much better spent elsewhere.”
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