A SUMMER WATER safety campaign, launched by the Irish Coast Guard, aims to prevent children from getting lost on beaches and near coastlines by getting them to wear wristbands.

Contact details

The wristbands will have the parents or guardians phone numbers written on the wristband so that lifeguards, emergency services or members of the public can contact the child’s parents if the child becomes lost or becomes separated from their group.

A message reminding the public to call 112 and ask for the Coast Guard for beach, water or cliff emergencies is also on them.

They bands have been made available to Irish Coast Guard Volunteer Units for distribution through schools, lifeguard stations and maritime community events around the country.

They were developed free of charge by Coast Guard volunteers , who say they are a “practical, simple way to assist families”. The Irish Coast Guard state:

Losing a child at a busy beach is a very stressful experience for both parent and child. Coastal or waterside areas present further dangers with open water, sand dunes and exposed cliffs all adding to concerns.

This new initiative, known as the ‘Give us a Hand’ campaign, hopes to be a simple way to help in these circumstances.

(Irish Coast Guard Image)

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