Express ProductsDrowning is still among the leading causes of accidental deaths globally. This International Water Safety Month, we look at some safeguarding measures organizations can implement to ensure employees, residents and visitors are safe around water.
May is recognized 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 organizations that have a duty of responsibility around water.
According to the World Health Organization (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 analyze what risks there are and start to implement sensible measures to tackle them.
How Can Your Organization 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 organization can ensure members know how to protect themselves and others around them.
If your organization 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 American Red Cross provides an in-depth list of water safety tips on how to be water competent, how to make water safety a priority and what to do in the event of an emergency*.
With May tapping into water safety across the world, awareness of such matters should be at the forefront of all organizations. 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 analyzing the potential dangers of water present at your organization, you should commence sourcing reliable rescue 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 Cabinet is the premier water safety protection product at a very affordable price, designed to inform, protect, guard and allow the quick & easy inspection of life rings. Available in two sizes, one to store 24-inch life rings and a larger alternative for 30-inch life rings.
Built-In Safety and Inspection Features
Manufactured from tough, vandal and weather-resistant Durapol™ polymer
Ropemaster™ Quick Release Rope Management System – accepts a rope up to 164' long
Strong cabinet door with knuckle hinge and hinge rod
Clear instruction sticker on the inside
Toggle latch – holds the lid securely closed, but enables quick and easy access in an emergency
Inspection Indicator
Water Seal
Environmentally Friendly – the cabinet is recyclable after its service life
To complete our Life Ring Cabinets, we provide fully weather-resistant, large-capacity storage boxes. The Slimline™ 42G offers unrivalled durability, keeping all your life-saving equipment well-protected in all-weather types.
Alternatively, the Nestor™ 106G is the cleverly designed storage box which allows you to stock multiple units on top of each other – ideal if you’re ordering more than one Nestor 106G, but have limited space.
Keeping America Water Competent
Our life-saving equipment is a proven success - see how we’ve managed to proudly provide all 50 states with our life rings, including Alaska and Hawaii.
America’s oldest botanic garden, Bartram’s Garden in Southwest Philadelphia, utilized our water safety equipment to ensure their visitors can enjoy water sports and fishing on the Schuylkill River all year round.
Spacing the highly visible cabinets along the Lake Michigan waterfront, Michigan City was pleased with the outstanding durability and additional security features of the Guardian 24 Life Ring Cabinets.
Browse our full range of Water Safety Equipment for more information, alternatively, if your organization is unsure how to prioritise water safety, Contact our team of industry experts today!
References
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drowninghttps://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety
