|
Issued on behalf of the Southern Area Accident Prevention Liaison Group
3 July 2009
Safe summer
As the summer holidays get underway, everyone is being urged to be cautious when enjoying outdoor activity.
Dr Vinod Tohani, Public Health Agency and Chair of the Southern Area Accident Prevention Liaison Group (SAAPLG) says: “As people spend more time outdoors during the summer, sometimes in unfamiliar surroundings and undertaking new activities, the holiday season can present new dangers.
“Adults need to be aware of potential dangers whether at home or abroad, take precautions to prevent accidents happening and teach children how to keep safe.”
Road safety
With greater travel to new, unfamiliar destinations and with children playing outdoors:
• Care should be taken crossing roads.
• Ensure that garden gates and fences closed off for young children.
• Ensure seat belts are used when driving.
• Make sure that bicycle helmets are securely fitted when cycling.
• Don’t ever drink or take drugs and drive.
• When attending BBQs nominate a driver.
Constable Bill Holden, PSNI and member of SAAPLG said: “During 2008/09 there were 6,149 injury road traffic collisions. These collisions resulted in 9,471 casualties, of whom 106 were killed.
“We all know the road safety messages; don’t drink or take drugs and drive; don’t speed; don’t use a mobile phone when driving, wear seatbelts and exercise due caution at all times on the road. During the holiday season, with many outdoor parties and BBQs continuing well into the night, people tend to think that they are fit to drive early the next morning and head onto their work, but they are not. High alcohol levels can remain in the blood stream for up to 24 hours after being consumed.
“Everyone who gets behind the wheel must take these road safety messages more seriously and work with the authorities to eradicate road carnage,” he said.
Water safety
In the summer there is greater use of water activities, for example, paddling pools or visits to swimming pools and beaches. Always:
• Knowing the depth of unfamiliar swimming pools.
• Supervise children using inflatables in water, around garden ponds or paddling pools.
• Never leave children unattended in the bath or in open water even if they can swim.
Play safety
During the summer holidays children have more tendencies to play outdoors and venture further from home than normal. Ensure:
• Good sun safety.
• Children are aware of the risks of speaking to strangers.
• Children play in a safe place (farms, factories, quarries, railway lines are not suitable playgrounds).
• Play equipment such as trampolines or bouncy castles have high safety standards.
Ita McErlean, Home Safety Manager (NI) RoSPA added: "Summer is a great time for children to get out and experience the world around them. This is an important part of growing up, and not only helps children have fun but means that they also learn about the risks they might encounter throughout life.
“When children spend time in the great outdoors, getting muddy, getting wet, getting stung by nettles, they learn important lessons. We need to prevent the most serious injuries, but bumps, bruises and grazes are part of childhood and we should not wrap children in cotton-wool. RoSPA encourages parents to talk to their children about risks and how to cope with them, and as they spend more time interacting with the world around them, children will develop their own risk assessment skills.”
Garden safety
When gardening:
• Care needs to be taken when using electrical equipment such as strimmers, lawnmowers and other power tools. Appropriate eye protection such as googles should be worn.
• Keep chemicals and tools locked away out of children’s reach.
• Keep heavy flowerpots or garden ornaments at ground level or in a safe area.
• Be careful with plants and berries from the garden, many can be poisonous.
• Keep children away from garden fires and barbecues.
For further information on accident prevention issues, contact Nina Daly, Accident Prevention Officer, Southern Health and Social Care Trust on (028) 3741 2424.
-ENDS-
For press enquiries contact: Shirlie Murtagh, Acting PR Manager, Public Health Agency on (028) 3741 4531. | 
