It’s one of the biggest weekends of the summer.

And with the countdown to the August bank holiday underway, Cork County Council has issued a plea to road users and beachgoers to stay safe as Cork heads for the coast.

Speaking ahead of Amber Thursday 2024, a collaboration between safety bodies and local authorities to help promote road, water and fire safety over the busy August bank holiday weekend, Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Joe Carroll said vulnerable road users are a high-risk group in terms of road safety:

“It has been a busy year for the emergency services in Ireland. Sadly, there have been 14 fatalities on our roads in County Cork this year.” Carroll said.

“Two pedestrians, four motorcyclists, a cyclist and seven drivers and passengers have tragically lost their lives.

“I am urging motorists to slow down, ensure everyone is wearing their seatbelt and put away the mobile phone.”

Beach and barbecue safety

During the months of June and July, Cork County Council’s Beach Lifeguards were called upon to rescue four people and assisted seven people in the water who needed help. The teams gave advice to members of the public on 4,927 occasions and administered first aid on 89 occasions.

Bank holiday weekends can also be a particularly busy time for firefighters who are called to various incidents including barbeque or domestic fires and road traffic collisions.

Cork County Fire Service is encouraging members of the public to follow simple safety tips throughout the year. They are asking everyone to remember to test your smoke alarm, check the expiry date, replace smoke alarms every 10 years and have at least two working smoke alarms in your house.