It's the height of summer, the sun is shining, school is out and life is good. We all love making the most of summer, especially here in the UK, but that doesn't mean letting the heat go to your head! In terms of health and safety, the summer months (especially during the school holidays) are always a tough time for the emergency services. There's just something about the euphoria and freedom of the season, combined with unusually warm weather, that tends to make people neglect common sense, and forget health and safety.
One of the biggest dangers to the public, vulnerable children and strong swimmers alike, is water. Whether it's an inland waterway, the beach, or even a public swimming pool, each of these spaces present their own unique hazards. To protect the public, it is essential that holidaymakers, day trippers, and even those just looking for a way to cool off, are reminded of the dangers posed by water, whether it's the open ocean or a pleasure pool.
Here are a few of the water safety signs we stock at Label Source, along with their corresponding hazards:
No Swimming
For some reason, the combination of heat and too much free time always drives people to swim in places they shouldn't. This is highly dangerous to even the most confident of swimmers, and is especially lethal to more vulnerable individuals, such as children and the elderly. Whether it's the threat of strong currents, thermal sock from exposure to cold water, or even the risk of illness from polluted water, certain areas should be made completely off-bounds to the public, as they are far too hazardous and unpredictable to guarantee a safe swimming experience.
Do Not Run
Whether it's a poolside walkway or lakeside deck, water presents just as much of a hazard for those of us on dry land, as it does to those actually in the water! Anyone who's ever seen a lifeguard furiously whistling at a group of unruly children legging it to the pool, knows that the risks of slipping are ever-present around damp areas, and are even magnified if the flooring is shinny or covered in alge! To combat this, and reduce the chances of someone falling and injuring themselves, there should always be clear messages to warn individuals against rapid movements in slippery areas.
No Inflatables
Some spaces just aren't suitable for certain types of aquatic equipment, and if this is the case, signs should be displayed to prevent members of the public from mistakenly taking them into the water. Inflatables, for example, can present a unique set of hazards in both open and enclosed bodies of water. If used in the sea, with the risk of wind and strong tidal changes, swimmers can soon be carried out to open water, where even experienced divers can come unstuck. In relation to small pools, the water may simply be too shallow to accommodate them, leading to accidents if people trip or fall from them. Their use could even cause the crowding and obscuring of water in small areas, which could make it difficult to spot an individual in distress.
Lifejacket Warning Sign
Watersports are always popular during warmer months, and while enjoyable, they also present a plethora of health and safety hazards that must be addressed. From hitting rocks, to falling in open water, there are many risks to an individual's safety when taking part in water-based activities. This is why participants and activity providers should always be reminded of how important it is to be equipped with a lifejacket, which can act as an invaluable lifeline when things go wrong in unpredictable situations, which can go from fun to fatal in a matter of minutes.
Don't forget to stay water-safe this season! Browse our full range of water safety signs here.
