We must pay as much heed to water safety as we do roads – Swim warning as people urged to learn ‘life-saving’ skill [Video]

IRELAND has marked National Water Safety Awareness Week with several appeals ahead of the busy summer season.

Water Safety Ireland has warned people to give the topic as much attention as they do road safety, particularly over the holidays.

Ireland averaged ten drownings every month over five years, with men accounting for 70 per cent of the victims.

More than half of accidental cases were preceded by land-based activities such as walking and angling from shore.

People often drown due to unexpected falls or when overestimating their ability and underestimating the risk.

Writing in The Irish Sun on Sunday, RNLI Water Safety Lead Linda-Gene Byrne explains what to do if you get into trouble in the water.

AS schools break for the holidays, we are all starting to plans for what …