Fingal County Council and Emergency Services join forces for Safe Summer
Fingal County Council has today (Thursday) issued a reminder to the public to stay safe while enjoying the upcoming June Bank Holiday weekend. Road Safety and Water Safety Officers at the local authority are partnering with the Fire Service and An Garda Síochána to promote a message of caution ahead of a busy weekend on our roads, beaches and waterways.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr David Healy, stressed the importance of putting safety first: “Whether you’re looking forward to the chance to get out on the water, travel to a scenic area, or simply at relax home this weekend, please take care and help our emergency services by reducing the number of incidents they must attend. We want this weekend to be memorable for all the right reasons.”
Fingal County Council Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly said: “With visitors flocking to our beautiful beaches including Portmarnock’s Velvet Strand, which just received its eighth Blue Flag, I’m very pleased to announce our lifeguards will be commencing their summer weekend patrols this Saturday and Sunday with 7-day patrols provided throughout July and August. This will help ensure swimmers are kept safe at Fingal beaches. With restrictions easing we have the chance to get out and about again but I’d like to remind the public to continue to follow public health guidance and remember to maintain social distance where possible and continue with regular hand washing to reduce the risk of contracting or carrying the disease.
Emergencies such as traffic accidents and fires can have a deadly impact and many are easily avoided when care is taken. Inspector Dermot McKenna, of An Garda Síochána, is asking the public to take particular care when driving: “
Traffic accidents and fires can have deadly consequences and many are easily avoided when care is taken. Inspector Dermot McKenna, of An Garda Síochána, is asking the public to take particular care when driving: “Bank Holiday weekends can be a very busy time on our roads and, while we are all delighted to be out and about again, we are appealing to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to stay safe. Be aware of other road users, never drink and drive and stay alert at the wheel. We will have an additional Garda presence on the roads this weekend, so please slow down and arrive alive.”
This message was echoed by Dennis Keeley, Chief Fire Officer of the Dublin Fire Brigade who sounded a note of caution for those planning to relax at home;
"Ensure firepits and barbecues are well supervised, especially if there are children playing near them. Or if you are enjoying the outdoors be fire aware to help prevent destructive wildfires. It only takes a moment for tragedy to strike at home or out and about"
Fingal County Council Road Safety and Water Safety Officers, along with An Garda Síochána and Dublin Fire Brigade, will continue to promote Safe Summer messages in the coming days and throughout the summer using #SafeSummer on social media.
