A CAMPAIGN was launched yesterday to ask Scots not to take inflatable toys to the nation’s beaches.
HM Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and Trading Standards came together in Edinburgh to ask people to leave their inflatable toys in the pool or at home this summer.
After a spate of call-outs to flamingos, unicorns, puffins and pizza slices in 2018, the organisations are asking the public to be aware of the dangers of inflatables at the coast.
In a statement the quartet said: “Whilst inflatables may look great on an Instagram feed, the four organisations are reminding people that they belong in pools and not in the sea.
“HM Coastguard tasked RNLI lifeboats, particularly Kinghorn and Troon, on a number of occasions last summer to reports of people being blown out to sea or to collect wayward giant flamingos.”
Speaking about the risk of inflatables, Michael Avril, the RNLI’s community safety partner for Scotland, said: “We understand the appeal of inflatables, they are prolific on social media, however, they pose a serious risk to life if used at the coast. In Scotland we often experience strong offshore winds and fast tides which can see somebody dragged far out of their depth in a matter of seconds.
“At this point, people will often panic and abandon their inflatable which leaves them suddenly immersed in very cold water and at a serious risk of drowning. We’d ask the public to please leave the inflatables at home or in a pool this summer, they don’t belong on a beach or in the sea.”
Ross Greenhill of the Coastguard said: “Each year HM Coastguard respond to a number of 999 calls reporting inflatable toys being rapidly blown out to sea, often with young children on them.
“Whilst we want everyone to enjoy our amazing coastline around Scotland, we want you to enjoy it safely. Inflatable toys definitely belong in a swimming pool and not in the sea where they are subject to not just our strong currents but also our ever-changing weather.
“Leave the inflatables for the pool and enjoy your time on the beach.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel