International Water Safety Month: Reflecting on the Need for Water Safety
International Water Safety Month: Reflecting on the Need for Water Safety
Drowning is still among the leading causes of accidental deaths globally. This International Water Safety Month, we look at some safeguarding measures organisations can implement to ensure employees, residents and visitors are safe around water.
Guardian Life Ring Cabinet by the Sea
May is recognised as International Water Safety Month, with May 15th coined as the self-titled day to share the importance of staying safe in the water. With the awareness month upon us, we wanted to take the time to remind ourselves of the significance of water safety education, and how adequate Water Safety Equipment is vital for organisations that have a duty of responsibility around water.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, with an estimated 236,000 annual drowning deaths*.
With summer just around the corner, the number of people visiting the beach, pool, lakes and other bodies of water are increased tenfold. This, of course, means higher exposure to drowning and, whilst you may think that danger arises from only leisure sites, that isn’t necessarily true. Water hazards can be present in any setting; therefore, to protect employees, members of the public and visitors alike; those in authority should take it upon themselves to analyse what risks there are and start to implement sensible measures to tackle them.
How Can Your Organisation Increase its Water Safety Levels?
Before looking at the physical preventatives, the need for educational measures can be just as important. Such things as developing a strategy to raise awareness, building consensus solutions and monitoring and evaluating efforts within an organisation can ensure members know how to protect themselves and others around them.
If your organisation has any water present that could pose a potential safety risk; this can be from a simple water feature or a pond, then it is imperative that you have the right water safety equipment in place. Depending on your circumstances, this might be a necessity in order to comply with health and safety regulations and laws
The Royal Life Saving Society UK provides a water safety code; a fundamental outline for all water safety education designed to provide simple and easy-to-remember information for everyone across the UK and Ireland to help them in the event of an emergency*.
Whenever you are around water -
STOP AND THINK:
Take time to assess your surroundings. Look for the dangers and always research local signs and advice.
STAY TOGETHER:
When around water always go with friends or family. Swim at a lifeguarded venue.
In an Emergency -
CALL 999:
Ask for the Fire and Rescue Service when inland and the Coastguard if at the coast. Don’t enter the water to rescue.
FLOAT:
If you fall in or become tired; stay calm, float on your back and call for help. Throw something that floats to somebody that has fallen in.
With May tapping into water safety across the world, awareness of such matters should be at the forefront of all organisations. On May 15th, people from all walks of life will come together to learn the importance of staying safe in the water and help prioritise the prevention of drowning.
On Guard
After analysing the potential dangers of water present at your organisation, you should commence sourcing reliable equipment. Lifebuoy rings – also known as preserver rings or marine rings are synonymous with almost any body of water and perhaps the most common safety precaution in water safety. It is essentially a floatation device tasked with keeping someone afloat in all types of water and situations.
When treading water saps the casualty of energy, a ring can keep them afloat without the need to swim. If waters are rough and they are in danger of being pulled under, the buoyant force of the ring can keep them above water. And when the casualty needs to be pulled ashore, the ring can act as a hook, hoisting them safely to the shore.
Glasdon is a market leader in the manufacturing and supply of water safety equipment. Our range comes with quality in mind, designed to keep equipment safe and ready for action in the event of an emergency. Our Guardian™ Lifebuoy Housing is the premier water safety protection product at a very affordable price, designed to inform, protect, guard and allow the quick & easy inspection of lifebuoys. Available in two sizes, the Guardian Lifebuoy Housing 600 stores life buoys up to 24” (600mm) and the larger 750 is ideal for 30” (750mm) buoys.
Built-In Safety and Inspection Features
Guardian Life Ring Cabinet on plain background Manufactured from tough, vandal and weather resistant Durapol™ polymer
Ropemaster™ Quick Release Rope Management System – accepts various diameters of rope (up to 164')
Easy-to-follow instructions
Toggle latch – holds the lid securely closed, but enables quick and easy access in an emergency
Environmentally friendly – Guardian Life Ring Cabinets are recyclable at the end of service life
Various fixing options, including wall, rail, and pole
Personalization options, ranging from safety instructions and warnings, to company or authority branding
To complete our housings, we provide lifebuoys with 30m or 50m throwing rope attached. Glasdon lifebuoys are compliant with Chapter III standards for life-saving devices, as per the Life-saving Appliance (LSA) code (SOLAS, 1974).
For a smaller body of water, consider the B-Line Rescue Buoy - the lightweight water rescue device to accurately throw, increasing the chances of a successful rescue. Compact and portable, it makes an ideal life-saving water rescue aid for carrying in emergency service vehicles and for siting inside the Guardian Lifebuoy Housing.
Alternatively, our fully weather-resistant large-capacity storage container, the Slimline™, offers unrivalled durability, keeping all your life-saving equipment well-protected in all-weather types.
Browse our full range of Water Safety Equipment for more information, alternatively, if your organisation is unsure how to prioritise water safety, Contact our team of industry experts today!