Water Safety
Overview
With some 35 miles (over 50km) of coastline, which has some of the best beaches in the country, many fast flowing rivers, lakes and reservoirs, water safety in County Wicklow is very important.
Wicklow local authorities provide lifeguard services at some of our most popular beaches during the bathing season from June to August including Brittas Bay and Greystones, Wicklow, Bray and Arklow
Please obey the following rules to help prevent accidental drowning.
Safe and Enjoyable Swimming
- Don’t swim alone
- Don’t swim just after eating
- Don’t swim when you’re hot or tired
- Don’t swim in strange places
- Don’t swim out to sea after anything drifting/ floating (e.g.) beach ball etc)
- Don’t stay in the water too long- you suffer hypothermia
- Don’t swim out to sea
- Swim parallel and close to the shore
- Do what the Lifeguard tells you and obey the flags code
- Red flag- Danger do not swim
- No flag- no lifeguard on duty
- Do not buy or use lilos, inflatable air beds or inflatable (toy dinghies) in
open water i.e. sea, river, lakes etc.
- Pay attention to and obey water safety signs on the beach, lakes, rivers and all waterways
- Do not interfere with, or damage, or take lifebuoys or water safety warning signs
- Don’t be a bully in the water
- Learn to use water sport equipment before trying it out before taking it out to sea etc.
- Learn basic life support and first aid
Safe and Enjoyable Boating
- Check the condition of your boat and equipment, hull, engine, fuel, tools, torch
- Check the weather forecast/tides for the area before you go out
- Check with locals about dangerous currents, strong tides etc.
- Do not drink alcohol before going out or during your boat trip
- Carry out alternative source of power eg sails, oars or engine etc.
- Carry a first aid kit and distress flares/ signals (at least two parachute distress rockets, two red hand flares)
- Carry a fire extinguisher, a bucket with rope and an anchor and rope
- Carry a marine radio or some suitable means of communication/contact with shore or emergency services
- Do not overload the boat
- Do not set out in a boat without an experienced person
- Leave details of your planned trip with someone ashore – including departure and arrival/return times, description of your boat, number of persons on the boat etc.
- Wear a lifejacket at all times. It may keep you afloat until rescue arrives
- Keep an eye out for changing weather and sea conditions and take shelter in good time or call for help.
- Marine emergencies call 999 or 112 and ask for marine rescue
Water Safety at Home
- Supervise young children at bath time
- Keep the bath plug out of reach or young children
- Empty baths after use. Leave no chairs or stools which enable young children climb and fall into the bath
- Keep away from uncovered water barrels. Cover water barrels.
- Fence off any rivers, streams or drains running adjacent to your home
- Supervise playtime in garden paddling pools.
- Empty paddling pools immediately after use
- Fill in any holes or drains left after building/ construction works
- Private swimming pools should be fenced in and should have covers that can be firmly secured
- Cover rain barrel, water tanks, wells and ornamental fishponds with suitable wire mesh
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