This article is from page 19 of the 2011-07-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
PARENTS have been urged to remain vigilant on Clare beaches and bathing areas this summer to avoid wasting lifeguards’ time
The call was made by the Head of Clare Civil Defence, Liam Griffin, who said it is very important that parents ensure children do not go missing, particularly when beaches are busy. Mr Griffin, who is also head of water safety with Clare County Council, said lifeguards should be focused on ensuring the safety of water users.
He said, “People going to the beach with children. I would urge all parents to be concious of their children’s location at all times on the beach.”
Mr Griffin added that when parents fail to keep a close eye on their children lifeguards’ time is often “wasted” looking for them. He said this is has an impact on lifeguard’s duties particularly at a time when beaches are busy and the “water is full of people”.
Mr Griffin has also urged members of the public to only swim at lifeguarded beaches and to be concious of flags that are used. The prescence of a red or yellow flag indicates that lifeguard is on duty at a beach.
A red flag means it is dangerous to swim, while the flying of two yellow flags on a beach means it is ony safe to swim between those two points, Mr Griffin explained.
“And absolutely under no circumstance should people swim after drinking alcohol. If a person has eaten, they should wait at least an hour before going in the water,” he added.
Lifeguards will be on duty everyday at 11 Clare locations from from 11am to 7pm, until the end of August. The bathing areas area – Bishop’s Quarter, Ballyvaughan; Fanore; Doolin; Lahinch; White Strand, Miltown Malbay; Spanish Point; Seafield, Quilty; White Strand, Doonbeg; Kilkee; Cappagh Pier, Kilrush and Ballycuggeran, Killaloe.
Mr Griffin said a review lifeguard cover will take place in August to determine the level of cover needed for September.
He said that emergency services had been involved in a number of rescues at Clare beaches since the summer began.
Mr Griffin also urged people to respect life rings located along rivers in Clare. He said that while the problem was “not as bad as of late”, it was still an issue in Ennis. He explained that that there had been “awful problems” with people throwing life rings into the River Fergus. He said that this tended to happen after night clubs closed on Friday and Saturday nights.