First day of summer marks National Water Safety Day

With today - 1st December - marking the beginning of summer, National Water Safety Day is bringing together political leaders and peak water safety authorities Surf Life Saving Australia and Royal Life Saving Society - Australia, to urge Australians to make water safety awareness a priority.

With 39% of all drownings occurring during summer, National Water Safety Day was launched last year in an effort to reverse the unacceptable number of drownings that occur summer as Australians make the most of the coastline, pools, rivers and lakes. Last season there were 248 drownings across Australia, with 39% of all drownings occurring during summer.

This year the day has been backed by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese, each of whom urger Australians to stay safe on the water this summer.

Introducing National Water Safety Day, Surf Life Saving Australia Chief Executive, Adam Weir advised “summer is the busiest time on our beaches and our surf lifesavers and lifeguards will be standing by - but we can only help you if we can see you, so we want all Aussies to swim only at a patrolled beach.”

Royal Life Saving Chief Executive, Justin Scarr stated “swimming at rivers and lakes can be extremely dangerous due to currents and debris. Men should make the right call, know their limits, wear lifejackets when boating, and avoid alcohol around water.

“Tragically, young children can be extremely vulnerable to drowning in backyard pools and in dams. Royal Life Saving reminds parents to Keep Watch, actively supervise children around water, restrict children’s access to water, and teach them water safety skills.”

Coinciding with National Water Safety Day, the just released MagnaLatch® Pool Safety Report revealed 42% of domestic pool owners checked their gate only once a year, 11% every few years and 4% had never checked their pool gate.