Road, Water And Fire Safety Highlighted As Part Of ‘Amber Thursday’

A group of members of safety services, including Gardai, Lifegaurds and FireFighters

Cork County Council is appealing to people to stay safe this August Bank Holiday weekend on Amber Thursday 2023. Amber Thursday is a collaboration between safety bodies and local authorities to help promote road, water and fire safety over the busy bank holiday weekend. The colour amber was chosen as it signifies a hazard or a warning. The Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Frank O’ Flynn is calling on everyone to stay safe this weekend and to be particularly aware that vulnerable road users are a high-risk group in terms of road safety

This year in Cork there have been 4 pedestrian, 2 driver, 2 passenger and 1 motorcyclist tragedy on our roads. The road is a shared space, so if you are a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist or any other type of road user please do so carefully. Slow down, belt up and put away the mobile phone. I’m asking all pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists to please take care when out on the road. Let’s all work together to ensure safer road use for everyone.

Sadly, it has been a busy year for the emergency services in Ireland with a number of road and water related fatalities across the county. Bank holiday weekends can be a particularly busy time for firefighters who are called to various incidents such as barbeques, domestic fires and road traffic collisions.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey is also encouraging members of the public to enjoy the weekend but to bear in mind the safety aspect of outdoor activities,

Please appreciate our stunning coastal landscape but remember to park responsibly and ensure Emergency Vehicle access at public amenity areas. Aways avail of our Lifeguard patrolled beaches and enjoy all that is on offer this weekend but let’s make every effort to ensure everyone comes home safely.

During the months of June and July, Cork County Council’s Beach Lifeguards attended 16 rescues and assisted 29 people in the water. The teams also gave advice to members of the public on 1,812 occasions and administered first aid on 897 occasions.

The Lifeguard’s advice is that holding hands with children saves lives and to always be aware of rip currents and other water safety hazards before entering the water. Swimming while under the influence of alcohol should always be avoided. Swimmers are reminded to swim within their depth, not to use inflatable toys on open water and always swim at a lifeguarded beach. 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.

"More people are at risk of an accident on our waterways during bank holiday weekends", said Roger Sweeney, Acting CEO of Water Safety Ireland. "Every effort should be made to swim where Lifeguards can provide for your safety. All lifeguarded waterways are listed at Water Safety Ireland. Remember that Lifeguards are not babysitters and bringing children to any waterway brings with it a responsibility for constant, uninterrupted supervision by an accompanying adult. Never let children use inflatable toys in open water as they can be swept from shore and place a child at risk of drowning."

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 Amber Thursday.