Published 25 July 2022
Royal Life Saving Society – Australia is joining the World Health Organization and urging everyone in our community to do one thing to prevent drowning on Monday July 25 for the United Nations World Drowning Prevention Day.
With a 30 per cent rise in drowning experienced last summer and successive floods across the country, Royal Life Saving is asking the community to take precautions to avoid further tragedy.
Royal Life Saving Chief Executive Officer, Justin Scarr said if everyone across Australia could do one simple thing to reduce their risk of drowning, we could make significant progress towards reducing drowning deaths.
“Wherever you live, whatever life stage you’re at, everyone can do one thing to prevent drowning,” Mr Scarr said.
“For anyone with a backyard swimming pool, your one thing might be to check the fence and make sure the gate is still self-closing and self-latching. Or it might be getting that light installed or removing a trip hazard so that pathway near the pool is safer.
“If you’re a boatie or you like fishing, or kayaking, your one thing might be to get a new lifejacket which meets the Australian Safety Standards.
“Parents could enrol their children in swimming lessons to make sure they meet the basic water safety benchmarks for their age group and develop a lifelong love of swimming.
“Men out with their mates could choose to leave the beer until well after they’re done with the water, trailered the boat, and got home with the day’s catch.
“They’re simple things but they all boost your chance of getting home safely at the end of a great day in, on or around the water.”
This is the second annual World Drowning Prevention Day, proclaimed by the United Nations. Each year more than 236,000 people drown. We can prevent this silent killer through awareness, education, supervision, training, and emergency preparedness.
For further information including how you can help to share the important messages on World Drowning Prevention Day visit our Campaign Page with Resources here.
For media enquiries, please contact Media Key on 0409 420 112 or 03 9769 6488.
