A spate of drowning deaths across the country has triggered warnings for Aussies this holiday period.
Aussies are being encouraged to take water safety seriously with drowning deaths 4 to 5 times more likely to occur over the festive season than any other time of year.
Already this month four children between 11 and 15 years old have lost their lives in the country (in NSW, SA, Tas), with a total of nine coastal drowning deaths known for December.
Life Saving WA's 2016/17 report shows that 47 per cent of drownings occur in the ocean and harbours and 26 per cent in home pools.
The City of Mandurah are urging locals to stay safe, asking all adults to keep a close eye on children around pools and spas including inflatable and temporary pools.
Surf Life Saving Australia say alcohol is often a factor in drowning deaths.
PIC: Surf Life Saving Australia
Top tips for staying safe at the beach and around pools from SLSA and The City of Mandurah:
- Wear a lifejacket while boating, rock fishing or paddling
- Don’t go into or on the ocean during severe weather warnings
- Take personal responsibility, think twice and assess your safety before entering the water
- Supervise children at all times in and around water
- Keep your pool gates closed and operating correctly, they should self-close and self-latch from all points of opening, and hold fast once closed
- Don’t prop your gates open at any time
- Keep all climbable objects like pot plants and furniture away from the safety barrier
- Make sure any windows opening into a pool area are prevented from opening any more than 100mm or fitted with a security screen
- Refrain from consuming alcohol if supervising children
- Refrain from entering water if alcohol has been consumed
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