The Irish Coast Guard has warned of the dangers of consuming alcohol before taking to the waters ahead of the long weekend.
The weather forecast for the upcoming bank holiday weekend looks promising, with temperatures soaring to around 18 degrees on Saturday. However, people are being asked to avoid drinking before going for a sea swim due to the obvious dangers.
The Irish Coast Guard is also asking sea swimmers to check both tides and the weather forecast before entering the sea. Spokesperson Micheal O'Toole said that water is still relatively cold at this time of year and can cause shock amongst more inexperienced swimmers.
READ MORE: Council tenants furious over mould, silverfish and damp 'making their kids sick'
He said: "Never ever swim alone and always make sure that your activity is being monitored. Things can go very badly wrong in a very short time, so we all need to be aware of potential dangers and be well prepared before engaging in water-based activities."
The government's 'Be Summer Ready' website contains plenty of advice on water safety and is a useful resource for people hoping to head back to the water amid the warmer weather. The Irish Coast Guard also recommends that people invest in brightly coloured swimming caps for visibility purposes.
People who are planning on using kayaks or other leisure equipment while in the water are also asked to make sure items are in good working order before use. Anyone who sees someone in difficulty while in the water can reach the Coast Guard by dialling 112 or 999.
READ MORE
- Social welfare recipients could face deductions to €200 bonus payment
- Ringsend British Empire post box removed after repeated colostomy bag attacks
- Energy companies explain why bills remain high after wholesale prices fall in latest CSO figures
- When will the cost of electricity and gas bills fall? Expert explains as wholesale prices drop
- Dublin traffic faces years of potential disruption as Eirgrid confirms expansion plans
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
