Road, Water and Fire Safety Highlighted for ‘Amber Thursday’
Cork County Council is appealing to people to stay safe over the August Bank Holiday weekend as it marks ‘Amber Thursday’ for 2024. The campaign is a collaboration between safety bodies and local authorities to help promote road, water and fire safety over the busy August bank holiday weekend.
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Joe Carroll said vulnerable road users are a high-risk group in terms of road safety,
Mayor
It has been a busy year for the emergency services in Ireland. Sadly, there have been 14 fatalities on our roads in County Cork this year. 2 pedestrians, 4 motorcyclists, a cyclist and 7 drivers and passengers have tragically lost their lives. I am urging motorists to slow down, ensure everyone is wearing their seatbelt and to put away the mobile phone. I am encouraging all road users to please take care when out on the roads. Let us all work together to ensure safer roads for everyone.
Bank holiday weekends can also be a particularly busy time for firefighters who are called to various incidents including barbeque or domestic fires and road traffic collisions. Cork County Fire Service is encouraging members of the public to follow simple safety tips throughout the year. They are asking everyone to remember to test your smoke alarm, check the expiry date, replace smoke alarms every 10 Years and have at least 2 working smoke alarms in your house.
During the months of June and July, Cork County Council’s Beach Lifeguards were called upon to rescue 4 people and assisted 7 people in the water who needed help. The teams gave advice to members of the public on 4,927 occasions and administered first aid on 89 occasions.
The Lifeguards’ advice is that holding hands with children saves lives. This season the lifeguards have reunited 15 children with their parents on County Cork beaches so this advice is key for all those supervising children near water. Swimmers are reminded to swim within their depth, not to use inflatable toys on open water and always swim at a lifeguarded beach. Rip currents are a hazard at some beaches so always look out for signage and safety information notice boards. Swimming inland in lakes and rivers is also proven to be particularly high risk in terms of water safety so please know your ability before you go in.
Amber Thursday is supported by Local Authorities, the Chief Fire Officers Association, Road Safety Authority, Water Safety Ireland and Local Authority Road Safety Officers. Further information can be found at www.amberthursday.ie