PHOTOCALL NOTICE & PRESS RELEASE

18th April 2011

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Water Safety Campaign unveiled

TV Awareness initiativewill helpreducedrownings

Photocall Notice:

Irish Water Safety is launching a new TV campaign to emphasize the importance of correctly wearing properly functioning lifejackets, of learning swimming and lifesaving skills and the need for constant vigilance to avoid drowning tragedies.

Date: Tuesday 19th April 2011

Venue: Denzille Lane Cinema (between Merrion Sq North & Fenian St. –

Time: 10am to 10.45am (Tea/coffee/pastries will be served in the cinema’s

reception area.)

10.15: Photographs (photo opportunities listed below)

10.30: Broadcast of the two TV commercials (30-seconds each).

Photo Opportunities:

  • Lifeguard Training vessel
  • a red Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) at the venue
  • Lifeguard Training Props
  • Three children from schools in the Ballybough Youth Resource Centre area in branded “Lifeguards-for-a-day” T-shirts and Lifejackets will be at the helm of the Lifeguard Training Vessel and will have as props Lifeguard torpedo rescue buoys, ringbuoys, lifejackets and other water rescue equipment.
  • Minister Fergus O’Dowd in attendance to launch the new Irish Water Safety TV campaign.
  • “At the helm”wearing a Lifejacket and Lifeguard personal protective equipment and accompanying the children will be Minister Fergus O’Dowd.
  • Minister of State at the Departments of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and Environment, Community and Local Government Mr Fergus O’Dowd will introduce the broadcast of the new TV campaign.
  • Editorial rights free images available from:
  • David Branigan / Oceansport (086) –

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150* people drown in Ireland every year, Irish Water Safety said today.

In a bid to cut the number of tragic drownings, Irish Water Safety is launching a new TV awareness campaign to highlight safety and best practice in, on and around water.

The new campaign will see a number of 30-second TV advertsbroadcast to raise awareness of the need for people to be ever vigilant around water and to take responsibility for the safety of themselves and loved ones when taking part in any form of aquatic activity.

Speaking in advance of the launch, Minister of State Fergus O’Dowd said that the Irish Water Safety campaign is very timely as people need to be aware that taking responsibility for being safe around water will help reduce drownings during the summer season ahead. “Ireland is blessed with some of the most beautiful locations in the world for water based activities and this campaign will help people enjoy these waterways safely,” said Minister O’Dowd.

The new TV campaign will emphasize the importance of correctly wearing properly functioning lifejackets, of learning swimming and lifesaving skills and the need for constant vigilance to avoid drowning tragedies.

The number of people taking to water based activities has grown massively in the last ten years yet many have had no formal swimming and lifesaving instruction and many people simply do not know how to use lifejackets safely or what to do if they or a loved one gets into difficulty in water.

“The picturesque scenes at Irish waterways can often lull people into a false sense of security that can often lead individuals to take risks in situations where they may be unaware of the dangers. The Irish Water Safety TV campaign will prompt people to learn how to stay safe in, on and around water so that they can keep themselves and their family out of danger as they enjoy Ireland’s wonderful waterways”, added Minister O’Dowd.

“The most common dangers can be avoided by logging onto Irish Water Safety’s website, that when the improving weather prompts a day trip to the seaside, rivers and lakes that you are well informed and stay safe”, commented Minister O’Dowd. “Doing so could save your life or the life of friends and family.”

Further information on all aspects of water safety can be obtained by contacting:

Irish Water Safety, The Long Walk, Galway. LoCall: 1890.420.202 / Tel: 091-56.44.00

Mobiles: John Leech 087-6789600; Roger Sweeney 087-6789601

Email: bsite:
*150 Drownings per year: based on the 10 years to 2009 of which 55 are accidental, 71 suicide and 24 undetermind as to accident or suicide.