Life-Saving Message: Lisa Stuart of Safe-Tay charity with Perth College art students Natalie Hutton and James Webster who designed the new posters.

Drinkers are target of water warnings

By Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser

A NEW publicity campaign was started yesterday in a bid to make clear the dangers posed by water-ways to Perth’s pub-goers and clubbers.

Posters and beer mats have been designed by Perth College art, design and media students warning people of the dangers of entering rivers and waterways after drinking.

Alcohol consumption is often a contributory factor to incidents in and around waterways in Perth and Kinross during the summer, and the campaign aims to raise awareness that messing around in the water after a few drinks could have serious consequences.

Backing the promotion are the Safe-Tay charity, Perth and Kinross Community Safety Partnership, Perth College and Perth Safer Cities initiative.

Community safety partnership convenor Willie Robertson picked the formidable River Tay as an obvious example of hazardous local waterway.

“Making people aware of the dangers of the River Tay is very important, “ he declared yesterday.

“The river looks calm and inviting on a hot summer days, and often at night.

“However, no matter how calm and still the water looks it can be very treacherous, especially to someone who has been drinking alcohol.”

Lisa Stuart, from the Safe-Tay charity, said: “This is the fourth year a summer safety campaign has been run in Perth and Kinross, and we are delighted yet again to have gained the support of local agencies and the community in the distribution and production of our material.

“We feel that this campaign is an important way to highlight the dangers of drinking alcohol within, near or around waterways.

“Swimming in a river or waterway after drinking is a lethal combination. Alcohol distorts your perception of risk and your own abilities.

“Cold water can also cause cramp and hypothermia. We would also like to urge people not to damage water safety equipment that is placed along the River Tay in Perth.

“This kind of vandalism is mindless and irresponsible, and is putting people at risk of drowning.”