Play Safe, Stay Safe this Christmas and New Year
15 December 2023 15:18
As schools begin to break up for Christmas, Jace McCabe, Cienna McCabe and Jack Killen are joining NI Water with a festive reminder to play safe and stay safe over the holidays.
Parents, teachers and members of the local community are also being urged to be aware that when spending time outdoors NI Water sites including construction sites, treatment and pumping facilities and reservoirs are fully functional working sites and not playgrounds.
NI Water Education Officer Anna Killen said: “While it’s important for young people to enjoy their school holidays and for everyone across Northern Ireland to enjoy our beautiful countryside, it is also vital to stay safe.
“Taking a nice walk on the crisp, cold day can be really refreshing but there can be risks in winter, particularly if temperatures dip and the water freezes over. Children or pets can be tempted to play on frozen watercourses, and adults can find themselves at risk if attempting to save them.
“We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun but we are reminding adults to act responsibility around watercourses and asking parents to keep their children safe. Stay a safe distance from water edges because accidents can happen and without extra care you could slip and fall in.
“Dog owners also need to remember to keep four legged friends on a lead if they are being walked near reservoirs and other bodies of open water.”
Anna also advised on the vulnerabilities of remote locations: “Many of our sites are some distance from towns, villages and main roads, and often have poor mobile phone reception due to their location. This remoteness could hamper or delay rescue attempts if anyone gets into trouble – if there is any severe winter weather, those delays could be even longer.
‘‘As winter continues, with cold, dark nights and long Christmas holidays, it is very important that everyone takes heed of the warnings and stays safe around NI Water sites. It could be a very ‘blue’ Christmas indeed if you get into trouble. Don’t take the risk; play safe and stay safe throughout the holiday period.’’
NI Water is also appealing for public support in tackling anti-social behaviour at its sites.
Anna said: “We would also ask everyone to be vigilant against anti-social behaviour and vandalism at NI Water sites this Christmas and New Year period. Anti-social behaviour at our sites will not be tolerated, especially when the risks impact local residents, the environment or the water source. Anti-social behaviour can also cause major delays in work schedules which are aimed at providing local communities with a vital service and valuable time and money is wasted repairing the damage. With many of our sites closed-up for a few days over Christmas, the public are often our eyes and ears and we are grateful for any support that is given to help us combat any criminal activity. If you are aware of any vandalism or criminal damage at an NI Water site in your area, please contact the police or call NI Water on 03457 440088.”
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 very dangerous places, so stay well away and always obey the warning signs.
Ends
Notes to editors:
When checking your home is winterproof, why not take the time to check the age of your water supply pipes. For information about how you can find and deal with lead pipes please visit: www.niwater.com/lead-pipes
Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com