NEVER

Compromise on Water Safety

As the summer season is almost upon us, thoughts of holidays and days by the sea are not far away. Whether you are going abroad or staying at home remember the importance of water safety.

Play YOUR Part to Keep Our Beaches Clean

We are fortunate in Fingal to have so many outstanding natural public amenities including our parks and heritage sites and our magnificent beaches. At a time when Council resources are under increasing pressure, members of the public must act responsibly to ensure that Fingal’s beaches are kept safe and litter free this summer.

Fingal County Council will be managing our beach cleaning schedule with significantly reduced resources this summer but we will still be working hard to ensure that littering is kept to a minimum throughout the season by focussing our cleaning schedule on tourist areas and beaches. Extensive signage and rubbish bins will be in place on all beaches this summer and Council staff will be scheduled to clean each beach on a regular but limited schedule. Each person who visits a beach MUST therefore take personal responsibility for the rubbish they generate and take it home with them when they leave if bins are full.

Alcohol consumption is forbidden on our beaches and dogs must be on a lead in all bathing areas between 11am and 6pm each day. Jet skis and powerboats are not allowed in bathing areas in line with Council’s 2006 Bye- Laws Regulating Recreational Craft. Council staff and beach

visitors have welcomed the hugely positive response to a decision taken in 2009 to close off access for cars to some Fingal beaches. Since barriers were installed members of the public can take advantage of a safer and more enjoyable visit to the beach.

Fingal beaches are for everyone – make sure your behaviour doesn’t spoil someone else’s visit.

Fingal County Council advises that bathing should only take place at guarded beaches. When on holidays this is particularly important as the level of lifeguard cover in Ireland may not apply overseas. Parents need to be especially vigilant with small children at swimming pools abroad as many pools will not have a designated pool guard.

ALWAYS REMEMBER:

• When swimming at home in the open water; check the flags to see if the lifeguard is on duty.

• Swim only in the designated patrol area of the beach and swim parallel with the shore line.

• Always swim in company; never swim alone or after drinking alcohol.

• Pay attention to any danger signs posted on or near the beach. • Follow the advice of the lifeguards on currents and rip tides. • Always wear a lifejacket and wet suit when wind surfing, boating, sailing or canoeing and follow the guidelines issued by the Maritime Safety Directorate. Remember – it’s the law.

Lifeguard cover will be provided on beaches below on weekends only in June and July. Daily cover will be provided from Monday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm during August at the following beaches: Balbriggan, Skerries North & South, Loughshinny, Rush, Portrane (The Burrow), Tower Bay, Donabate, Malahide, Portmarnock, Sutton (Burrow Road) and Howth (Claremont).

CHECK THE FLAGS: NO flag flying – NO lifeguard on duty RED flag flying – DON’T SWIM

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