Summer is less than a month old and already 16 lives have been lost to drowning, as lifesavers warn that number could double during the festive season.
The week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day is the deadliest time to be in and on the water, Royal Life Saving Australia says.
An average of 15 lives are lost each year as people head to beaches, rivers, dams, lakes and pools to relax and have fun with family and friends.
“The dangers are heightened when people travel, visit unfamiliar locations or celebrate near water,” chief executive Justin Scarr said on Sunday.
Last summer, 26 percent of all drowning deaths nationally occurred between Christmas and New Year.
That’s an average of three people drowning per day.
The danger is greatest on public holidays, with the highest drowning rates consistently recorded on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
“The festive season is a time for relaxing, social gatherings and celebrations but we know this is the riskiest time to be around water,” Scarr said.
“So, it’s also when we need to stay most vigilant around water.”
Summer drownings are up this season compared to 2023 when 13 deaths were recorded in the first 20 days of the season.
With heatwaves and high temperatures forecast across the country, more people are likely to head to waterways for respite, pushing the risk even higher.
“Afternoon hours are especially dangerous as people gather near pools, rivers, beaches and lakes so this Christmas, we’re urging everyone to take simple but vital precautions around water,” Scarr said.
“Don’t overestimate your swimming abilities, supervise children, avoid alcohol around water, check the weather forecast and be prepared to change your plans and always wear a life jacket when boating or fishing.”
The society said a quarter of drownings during this period involved alcohol and deaths could happen in all water environments including beaches, rivers, lakes and backyard pools.
The first day of a trip or holiday is often the most hazardous, as people are unfamiliar with their surroundings.
More than 40 percent of deaths involved people who had travelled 50km or more from home to where they drowned.
Almost 40 percent of people who drowned during the holiday period were migrants and more than 30 percent of deaths in 2023 involved incidents in which more than one person drowned.
