Published 14 April 2022
Have fun but be safe this Easter
Many of you will be heading off on holidays this Easter long weekend, some to unfamiliar locations. With two consecutive public holiday long weekends coming up, we expect many people to travel to be with friends and family.
We know that more than one-third of people who drown are more than 50km away from home at the time. Last summer, almost one-fifth of drownings occurred on public holidays, so we are deeply concerned about the drowning risk over the holiday period.
Unfamiliar swimming, boating, and fishing spots increased the risk of drowning. Sandbars, rips, unpredictable currents, debris below the water surface and swiftly changing local conditions are all often well-known to locals, but harder to spot by visitors.
Royal Life Saving Society – Australia Chief Executive Officer, Justin Scarr is urging everyone to enjoy themselves this Easter, but to prepare and brush up on safety precautions, especially in unfamiliar locations.
“Our research shows more than half of all adults will drink alcohol around the water and we know alcohol is one of the biggest risk factors for drowning among adults,” Mr Scarr said.
“Add to that the fact a lot of us have been out of the water during the pandemic and are out-of-practice and you have a perfect storm. So please, avoid alcohol, avoid going alone and wear a lifejacket when swimming, fishing or boating so you make it home safely.
“The best thing parents and carers can do to protect children is to make sure they are always within arm’s reach when you are in the water.”
Wherever you are in Australia this Easter, these are our top five tips to enjoy the water safely:
- Always supervise children around water
- Avoid alcohol around water
- Wear a lifejacket when boating and fishing
- Avoid going alone
- Know the conditions
