XN000022-1977-05-21 — Page 6

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1977

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SWIMMERS URGED TO OBSERVE BASIC SAFETY RULES

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SWIMMERS ARE URGED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO BASIC SAFETY RULES WHEN BATHING AT BEACHES.

THE PLEA FOLLOWS TWO DROWNING INCIDENTS LAST WEEKEND.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY: +ONE OF THESE BASIC RULES IS NOT TO RELY ON SWIMMING AIDS SUCH AS RUBBER DINGHIES AND FLOATS, PARTICULARLY IF YOU ARE NOT A STRONG SWIMMER.

+ONE NEVER KNOWS WHETHER OR WHEN THE DINGHY WOULD LOSE ITS BOUYANCY. AND SHOULD IT SLIP OUT OF GRASP OR FLOW OUT OF REACH, THE SWIMMER MAY SUDDENLY FIND HIMSELF

IN DEEP WATER AND HAVING TO STRUGGLE BY HIMSELF TO SHORE.+

OTHER PRECAUTIONS WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN ARE:

* TRY NOT TO ENTER WATER UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY SOMEONE

ELSE, PARTICULARLY IN PLACES WHERE THERE ARE NO LIFE-GUARDS=

* NEVER ENTER WATER IF THE RED FLAG IS HOISTED-

* NEVER ENTER WATER ON A FULL OR EMPTY STOMACH OR

WHEN TIRED-

* NEVER GO OUT OF DEPTH UNLESS YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY

CONFIDENT THAT YOU CAN MAKE THE DISTANCE IN SAFETY AND

* NEVER WEAR MASKS OR SNORKELS UNLESS YOU ARE

TRAINED TO USE THEM.

LAST YEAR, 26 PEOPLE WERE DROWNED AT GAZETTED BEACHES AND SWIMMING POOLS,

TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT MA LIU SHUT

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THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT TAI PO ROAD NEAR THE RAILWAY LEVEL-CROSSING AT MA LIU SHUT WILL BE CLOSED FROM TIME TO TIME BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 5 A.M. FROM TUESDAY TO FRIDAY (MAY 24-27) NEXT WEEK.

THE ARRANGEMENTS AIM TO FACILITATE THE DEMOLITION OF THE TEMPORARY STEEL OVERHEAD BRIDGE IN THE AREA.

TRAFFIC POLICE WILL BE ON THE SPOT TO DIRECT TRAFFIC.