Latest news with #WaterSafetyIreland
The Journal
4 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
Irish swimmers warned about venomous fish that can 'ruin' a beach day
IN THE WAKE of the hot spell, swimmers are being warned about a venomous fish which can be found buried in sand around the Irish coastline. The weever fish lurks in sandy areas of shallow waters with only its fin visible, and gives a painful sting to unsuspecting swimmers and walkers who cross its path. The sting can cause severe pain, swelling, redness and numbness which peaks in the first two hours, but may last more than 24 hours. A sting is usually non-life threatening, but severe cases may cause anaphylactic shock. Méabh Delaney was stung by a weever fish while holidaying in Kerry and described it as a 'really horrible' experience. 'I was walking on the beach with my friend who was a lifeguard and next thing I knew, I felt a weird sensation in my leg and my foot. Thankfully I was with my friend who knew straight away it was a weever fish because they can be common enough in Kerry waters', she said. Delaney said her friend brought her to the lifeguard on duty who was used to treating weever fish stings and immediately prepared boiling water to treat the sting. 'Because it was an isolated Kerry beach they only had a limited supply of boiling water, and that is how you get the sting out. You have to put your foot in water as hot as possible, you nearly have to burn your foot just to get the poison out,' she said. 'It was really, really sore, the lifeguard said he has seen grown men cry from the sting. The longer you leave it, the worse it gets and it travels up your leg', she added. Advertisement Roger Sweeney, deputy CEO of Water Safety Ireland said the fish are 'all around' the Irish coast and most common between May and September when the water temperature rises. 'They're very small, but they're venomous', he said, adding that a sting from a weever fish will 'ruin the day'. 'People have described it as intense for the first two hours. The foot can go red and swell up and can feel a bit numb. It can last on to the following day, with irritation for days', he said. To reduce the risk of a sting, swimmers are advised to avoid the beach during the two hours before or after low tide as weever fish prefer warm, shallow sandy waters where people paddle. Sweeney recommends swimming in lifeguarded waterways, wearing foot protection, or shuffling your feet when walking on the sand to disturb the fish and prevent a sting. Bathers who fall victim to the fish are advised to consult a lifeguard and immerse their foot in water 'as hot as can be tolerated' at up to 40 degrees Celsius for up to 90 minutes minimum, as heat breaks down the venom. If the pain persists, seek medical attention. Sweeney warned that the numbness caused by the sting may desensitise your foot, risking a potential burn from the hot water. To avoid this, place both feet in the water to ensure the temperature is not dangerous. He advised against using cold compresses on a sting, as the cold will worsen the pain. If stung, the National Poisons Information Centre recommends taking paracetamol to relieve pain and calling the NPIC on 01 8092166. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
12-07-2025
- Climate
- RTÉ News
High temperature warning as mercury could hit 30C
A high temperature warning for all of Ireland will come into effect at midday, with temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius possible in some areas. The warning states that maximum temperatures could reach in excess of 27C and are likely to drop no lower than 15C at night. Potential impacts include water safety issues at lakes and beaches, the "possibility" of forest fires, uncomfortable sleeping conditions and heat stress. The warning will be in operation until 6am tomorrow. Uncomfortable sleeping conditions and heat stress were also listed as potential impacts of the high temperatures. The forecaster added that forest fires are a possibility. Senior Forecaster with Met Éireann Gerry Murphy has said that temperatures will approach record levels for July, but perhaps will not reach them this weekend. Mr Murphy said that the current temperatures represent a hot spell rather than a heatwave, as it will last only four days before getting cooler next week. He said that the midlands will be the hottest part of the country, in particular counties Westmeath and Roscommon in particular. The RNLI has urged people planning to head for a swim in the sea or on waterways to exercise caution and be aware of rip currents. Water Safety Ireland has also said that amid the sunshine and rising tides, the risk to people also goes up and urged people to enjoy activities in and around water responsibly. #UV index for Saturday 🟠High under both clear and cloudy skies countrywide☀️☁️ Remember to stay #SunSmart and protect your skin & eyes from sun radiation🧴🕶️🧢⛱️ Also, let's prioritize safety & remain vigilant around the water🏊🛟 ℹ️ — Met Éireann (@MetEireann) July 11, 2025 There will be cooler and fresher air moving into the southwest by tomorrow evening, which will move across the rest of the country on Monday. Advice for dealing with high temperatures The HSE has said that people most at risk during hot weather include: Babies and young children People over 65 and those with underlying health conditions, including heart and breathing problems as well as Alzheimer's disease and dementia People who spend a lot of time outside or in hot places - such as those who work outdoors or the homeless - are also at high risk. The advice for staying cool indoors is: Turn off lights and appliances not in use as they generate heat Close windows that face the sun during the day and open them at night when temperatures drop Close curtains in rooms that are exposed to the sun, sprinkle water over the skin, or keep a damp cloth on the back of the neck Use an electric fan (but only if the temperature is below 35C) Outdoors, people should: Stay in the shade Avoid being outside, if possible, between 11am and 3pm - the hottest part of the day Wear light and loose-fitting clothing that covers the skin Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
RTÉ News
11-07-2025
- Climate
- RTÉ News
Yellow high temperature warning in effect for 14 counties
A Status Yellow high temperature warning has come into effect for 14 counties. The warning is in place for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon and Tipperary and is set to last until 6am tomorrow morning. Met Éireann has forecast maximum temperatures in excess of 27C combined with night-time minima in excess of 15C. It warned the public of water safety issues due to the increased use of lakes and beaches. Uncomfortable sleeping conditions and heat stress were also listed as potential impacts of the high temperatures. The forecaster added that forest fires are a possibility. A separate Status Yellow warning for the entire country will come into effect tomorrow at midday and will last until Sunday at 6am. A third warning will come into effect on Sunday afternoon affecting 17 counties, mainly in the midlands and west of the country. Swimmers urged to exercise caution during hot spell The RNLI has warned people planning to head for a swim during this weekend's hot spell to urge caution and to be aware of rip currents. Temperatures this weekend could reach near Ireland's all-time highs as Met Éireann has forecast temperatures in the "low 30s" for parts of the country. The highest recorded temperature dates back to 1887, when Kilkenny Castle hit 33.3C, and forecasters are predicting that Saturday's temperatures could come close to this. Water Safety Ireland has warned that amid the sunshine and rising tides, the risk to people also goes up. They have urged people to enjoy activities in and around water responsibly. The RNLI's Water Safety Lead has also advised people heading for a dip to go to a lifeguarded beach, because they will have checked for rip currents that morning and will put up flags in areas safe for swimming. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Linda-Gene Byrne said rip currents are "very, very dangerous and very hard to spot". She advised people to stand in the water, if possible, and try to wade out to the sides of the rip current. However she said that if people cannot stand, then they should "float to live". "Try and relax and breath," she said. "Move your hands and legs and float. That fast moving water will bring you back out but it will eventually start to dissipate as it goes out so you'll be able to go out to the side of the rip, parallel to the shore." Ms Byrne advised not to swim against the rip and if someone is taken out, they should put their hand up and shout for help. She advised anyone on the shore who spots someone in trouble in the water not to try and rescue them. Instead, they should ring 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Ms Byrne said it is important to use your voice to reassure the person in trouble and she would always advise going to a beach that has a lifeguard on duty. She said people who are new to the area should chat to locals to get an idea as to what beaches in the area are safe and to always adhere to signs. She added that lakes and rivers will also be very popular this weekend, and she warned that they tend to be colder than the see. Cold water shock passes in about 60 to 90 seconds and she advised people hit by it to "not panic, float on your back". Ms Byrne warned that there are often hidden dangers in lakes and rivers, such as rocks and debris, and people should be careful when jumping in. Meanwhile, a red forest fore warning is in place due to an "extreme fire risk". The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said called for "high vigilance" in the coming days. Met Éireann meteorologist Linda Hughes has said that temperatures will likely be above 27C "everywhere" tomorrow. She also said that it will be warm at night and temperatures will not fall below 17C in some places, making for some uncomfortable sleeping over the next few nights. Ms Hughes said that while the highest temperature is likely to be 30C to 31C degrees, they "can't rule out" the possibility of breaking the July record of 33C. There will be cooler and fresher air moving into the southwest by Sunday evening, she said, which will move across the rest of the country on Monday. Advice issued for dealing with high temperatures The HSE has said that people most at risk during hot weather include: Babies and young children People over 65 and those with underlying health conditions, including heart and breathing problems as well as Alzheimer's disease and dementia People who spend a lot of time outside or in hot places - such as those who work outdoors or the homeless - are also at high risk. The advice for staying cool indoors is: Turn off lights and appliances not in use as they generate heat Close windows that face the sun during the day and open them at night when temperatures drop Close curtains in rooms that are exposed to the sun, sprinkle water over the skin, or keep a damp cloth on the back of the neck Use an electric fan (but only if the temperature is below 35C) Outdoors, people should: People are also advised to drink plenty of fluids. Water or oral rehydration sachets are considered the best option.
Irish Independent
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
The Irish Independent's View: Make the most of this welcome weather – we don't see it too often
But now we can actually touch and even feel it. Days like these should come with a national declaration to stop work and head for the beach, bar or wherever. Judicious idleness is the only effective antidote to the plague of busyness which can be too often found on our island. It has long been recognised that sunlight is the best disinfectant, so there is nothing for it but to lash on the factor-50 and dive in. People do not notice if it is winter or summer when they are happy, Anton Chekhov wrote. The Russian literary great may be right. There is no denying that there are more smiles to be seen on people's faces these cloudless days than you will find on a wet afternoon in darkest November. So for now, let us savour and wallow in our mini-heatwave. We owe it to ourselves to let go of the stress and embrace the high-pressure zone that has settled over us. Inuit people are reputed to have dozens of words for snow, and we have almost as many for our own, more common, form of precipitation. Between the drizzle, scattered showers, mist, soft days and hard rain there are plenty of types of weather to put a dampener on most of the year. When it comes to basking in scorching temperatures, we are all too often left in the shade. A time to chill can be therapeutic. You may be of a mind with American writer Ambrose Bierce, who joked: 'An abstainer – a weak person who yields to the temptation of denying himself a pleasure.' Stay safe, but take the time to grab every precious moment It's not about losing the run of ourselves, though. The Road Safety Authority and Water Safety Ireland have cautioned people to take due care. The trick is to stay safe, but also take the time to grab every precious moment. ADVERTISEMENT French author Albert Camus saw the value of locking away the warmth in anticipation of inevitable rainy days. 'In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer,' he wrote. Getting in our 10,000 steps and counting the calories in whatever we eat or drink can wait. Taking it easy when the sky is radiant seems like the obvious thing to do. As they say, laziness is just the habit of resting before you get tired. Buddhist philosopher Nhat Hanh suggested stripping everything back to its simplest form. 'Wherever we are, any time, we have the capacity to enjoy the sunshine, the presence of each other. We don't have to travel anywhere else to do so,' he said. And when the sun shines on Ireland, where else would you wish to be? So, whatever form of blue-sky thinking you indulge in, be sure to enjoy it this weekend.
Irish Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Urgent Irish beach warning over tiny venomous creature with 'excruciating' sting
As Ireland braces for sweltering heat and temperatures climbing as high as 30C this weekend, thousands are expected to flock to beaches across the country. But the public is being urged to tread carefully - especially when walking barefoot on the sand or in shallow waters. Water Safety Ireland has issued a nationwide warning after the return of the Weever fish, a tiny but venomous creature that lurks just beneath the surface of the sand and can deliver an extremely painful sting to unsuspecting beach visitors. Weever fish, which grow to around 15cm in length, are masters of disguise. Their sandy, speckled skin allows them to bury themselves almost entirely in shallow seabeds, leaving only their eyes and venom-tipped dorsal fins exposed. While they may look harmless at first glance, stepping on one can result in what victims describe as "excruciating" pain - often far worse than a wasp sting. Their inch-long dorsal spines inject venom directly into the skin, which can leave people in agony and unable to walk properly for hours. Water Safety Ireland has advised wearing beach shoes when paddling or walking in shallow water. It said: "Weever fish lie buried in shallow sandy waters, with only their eyes and venomous dorsal spines visible. If accidentally stepped on, their dark-tipped spines can deliver a painful sting. "To reduce the risk, wear beach shoes when paddling or walking in shallow water. If stung, immerse the affected area in hot water which helps break down the venom's protein." If you are stung, swift action to ease symptoms and avoid complications is recommended. Britain's NHS recommends rinsing the affected area with seawater (not freshwater) as well as removing any spines from the skin using tweezers or the edge of a bank card. It advised: "Soak the area in very warm water (as hot as can be tolerated) for at least 30 minutes. Use hot flannels or towels if you cannot soak it." While taking over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen is recommended, Irish people should not urinate on the sting or apply ice/ a cold pack to the wound. The NHS added: "Do not touch any tentacles or spines with your bare hands [and] do not cover or close the wound." In most cases, the pain will subside after first aid is given, but there are situations where professional medical attention is necessary. You should head to a minor injuries unit or emergency department immediately if you have:
