Play safe and stay safe around frozen water areas this winter
With the Christmas holidays break continuing, NI Water would like to take this opportunity to remind parents and young people about the dangers of playing near treatment works, reservoirs and construction sites.
An NI Water spokesperson said: “In the cold and darker winter nights it is important to remember that NI Water sites are not playgrounds and fooling around at or near them can have very serious consequences.
“I would urge all parents to explain to their children the dangers of playing in or around these areas.
“The remoteness of many of our sites could hamper and delay rescue attempts, should such a need arise.
“I am also asking the local community to be vigilant against vandalism at NI Water sites this holiday period.
“This damage can cause major delays in work schedules aimed at providing local communities with a vital service and valuable time and money is wasted repairing such damage.
‘‘The nights are longer, colder and darker, and as we enter nearly 2 weeks of school holidays, this advice can be even more useful.”
NI Water has some simple steps on how to stay safe:
- Don’t climb on barriers and fences – they are there to protect you from serious injury and accidents when NI Water construction work is going on.
- Stay away from trenches and open manholes – they are dirty, deep and dangerous. They may also contain hazardous gases.
- Be careful near roads – never run out from behind parked vans or lorries as you could be knocked down and injured.
- Keep clear of equipment – you may see diggers, lorries, pipes and other equipment, but don’t be tempted – steer clear and don’t touch!
- Obey ‘Danger’ signs – reservoirs and treatment works can be very dangerous places, so stay well away and always obey the warning signs.
