As the Easter holidays begin, and the good weather looks set to continue, Northern Ireland Water is issuing an important reminder to parents and young people about the dangers of playing near treatment works, reservoirs and construction sites.
Hugh Curley, Health & Safety Manager at NI Water, explains:
“Understandably some children are drawn to these sites as exciting places to explore, but they are not playgrounds and fooling around at them can have dangerous consequences.
“I would urge all parents to explain to their children the dangers of playing in or around these areas. Some of our sites are in remote locations, so if a child or young person were to get into trouble, it could be too late before help arrives.
“We are also asking the parents of teenagers and young people to highlight the dangers of swimming in reservoirs. Calm water can be very inviting on a warm day, but the temperatures in these reservoirs are extremely low, hypothermia can set in very quickly and even the strongest of swimmers will get into difficulty very quickly.
“We are also dealing with a growing problem of young people vandalising our work sites, causing major damage and wasting valuable time and money.”
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 when NI Water construction work is going on.
2. Stay away from trenches and open manholes - They are dirty, deep and dangerous. They may also 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 don’t be tempted - steer clear and don’t touch!
5. Obey ‘Danger’ signs - reservoirs and treatment works can be dangerous places, so stay well away and always obey the warning signs.
Hugh continued: “NI Water is spending millions of pounds repairing and replacing water pipes and updating treatment works in order to improve our water systems and ensure the water we provide is of the highest standard.
This work may result in necessary construction sites for a period of time and we would ask parents and young people to continue to be vigilant at all times, so everyone can enjoy the Easter holidays safely.”
Hugh Curley, Health & Safety Manager at NI Water, explains:
“Understandably some children are drawn to these sites as exciting places to explore, but they are not playgrounds and fooling around at them can have dangerous consequences.
“I would urge all parents to explain to their children the dangers of playing in or around these areas. Some of our sites are in remote locations, so if a child or young person were to get into trouble, it could be too late before help arrives.
“We are also asking the parents of teenagers and young people to highlight the dangers of swimming in reservoirs. Calm water can be very inviting on a warm day, but the temperatures in these reservoirs are extremely low, hypothermia can set in very quickly and even the strongest of swimmers will get into difficulty very quickly.
“We are also dealing with a growing problem of young people vandalising our work sites, causing major damage and wasting valuable time and money.”
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 when NI Water construction work is going on.
2. Stay away from trenches and open manholes - They are dirty, deep and dangerous. They may also 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 don’t be tempted - steer clear and don’t touch!
5. Obey ‘Danger’ signs - reservoirs and treatment works can be dangerous places, so stay well away and always obey the warning signs.
Hugh continued: “NI Water is spending millions of pounds repairing and replacing water pipes and updating treatment works in order to improve our water systems and ensure the water we provide is of the highest standard.
This work may result in necessary construction sites for a period of time and we would ask parents and young people to continue to be vigilant at all times, so everyone can enjoy the Easter holidays safely.”
