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 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.

With summer just around the corner, the number of people visiting the beach, pool, lakes, and other bodies of water increases tenfold. This, of course, means a higher risk of drowning. While you may assume that the danger is limited to recreational areas, that is not 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 the risks and start implementing sensible measures to address them.

How Can Your Organization Increase its Water Safety Levels?

Before considering physical preventive measures, the importance of educational interventions should not be overlooked. Implementing strategies to raise awareness, building consensus on solutions, and monitoring and evaluating efforts within an organization can ensure that members are informed about how to protect themselves and others.

If your organization has any water present that could pose a potential safety risk, whether from a simple water feature or a pond, it is imperative that you have the appropriate water safety equipment in place. Depending on your circumstances, this might be a necessity 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.*

On Guard

After analyzing the potential dangers of water present at your organization, you should begin sourcing reliable rescue equipment. Life rings, also known as preserver rings or marine rings, are synonymous with almost any body of water and are perhaps the most common safety precaution in water safety. It is essentially a flotation device designed to keep someone afloat in all types of water and situations.

When treading water saps the casualty of energy, a life ring can keep them afloat without the need to swim. If the waters are rough and there is a danger of being pulled under, the buoyant force of the ring can keep them above water. Additionally, when a casualty needs to be pulled ashore, the ring can function as a hook, securely hoisting them to the shore.

Glasdon is a market leader in manufacturing and supplying water safety equipment. Our range is designed with quality in mind, ensuring that equipment is kept safe and ready for action in case of an emergency. Our Guardian™ Life Ring Cabinet is the premier water safety protection product at a very affordable price. It is designed to inform, protect, guard, and allow for the quick and easy inspection of life rings. Available in two sizes: one for storing 24-inch life rings and a larger option for 30-inch life rings.

Built-In Safety and Inspection Features

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 unrivaled durability, keeping all your life-saving equipment well-protected in all types of weather.

Alternatively, the Nestor™ 106G is a cleverly designed storage box that 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 has been proven successful. See how we have proudly supplied all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, with our life rings.

America’s oldest botanic garden, Bartram’s Garden in Southwest Philadelphia, utilized our water safety equipment to ensure that their visitors can enjoy water sports and fishing on the Schuylkill River throughout the year.

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!

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