Crucial to be water aware
Dear Editor,
With the school summer holidays continuing, and unusually warm weather, I am writing to request your readers’ help in saving young peoples’ lives.
Over the last six weeks there have been a number of tragic drownings in quarry lakes, reservoirs, canals and other, similar man-made bodies of open water. All too often, these tragedies occur when people are engaged in what they perceive as harmless fun, either cooling off in the water or playing near the water’s edge.
Man-made water bodies like quarry lakes and reservoirs can be extremely deep, have sudden changes in water depth, be difficult to exit and conceal a range of hazards such as pumps, entangling weeds, rocks and old machinery. Quarry faces and edges can be unstable and suddenly give way, resulting in falls into water and also making it more difficult to get oneself back onto dry land.
The water in quarry lakes and reservoirs can also be extremely cold, even after a long hot spell. At 15C and below, the body can experience cold water shock when immersed in water. This results in a sudden, involuntary inhalation of water into the lungs which can be deadly.
Statistics show that nearly half the accidental drownings occur following an unexpected fall into water, cold water shock is a significant factor in many of these deaths.
The Mineral Products Association (MPA) is supporting the water safety campaigns being run by the RNLI and other organisations such as the RLSS and the fire and rescue services’ “Be Water Aware” campaign.
Collectively, we do not want to discourage members of the public from enjoying the water but would like people to be aware of the risks and choose to swim in areas that are safe.
To find out more, view the MPA campaign Facebook page Stay Safe Stay out of Quarries or the RNLI website www.respectthewater.com and “share” this with others.
Please also remember that warning signs and fences are there to help protect you and your family. Elizabeth Clements, Mineral Products Association, London
Hard work conquers all
Dear Editor,
May I offer my sincere congratulations to Maureen Potter and all the excellent Friends of Langlands Moss
(New walkway heralds rebirth of Langlands, July 18).
May your continuing efforts be as successful as your achievements to this point in time. Keep up the good work.
Labor omnia vincit [hard work conquers all]. Joe Allan, Westwood
Voting controversy
Dear Editor,
Regarding Brexit Remainers wanting another EU Referendum because they did not get the result they wanted.
Can I apply the same reasoning by asking for another election in the Scottish Government elections, if I do not get the MSP Linda Fabiani, whom I voted for elected this time around? Name and address supplied
Waging war on drugs
Dear Editor,
It was distressing to read of the number of drug deaths in South Lanarkshire last year (Drugs death toll shame, July 18).
This is a situation that will require all politicians to work together to solve – sadly, that is something I suspect that will be beyond our current lot! Name and address supplied