Lowest January Drowning Toll for New Zealand

There were nine drowning deaths in New Zealand for January 2010, a significant improvement on the 23 deaths that occurred in the same month last year and the lowest number of drowning recorded for the month of January since records began in 1980.

Five of the January drowning deaths occurred in rivers, three at surf beaches and one in a harbour.

There were seven recreational drownings resulted from activities such including fishing, powered boating, swimming, boogie boarding, rafting and river crossing.

Four of the deaths were of men in the high drowning risk 35 to 44 years age group.

Comments on the drownings, Water Safety New Zealand General Manager Matt Claridge, stated "statistics tell us that nine drownings in any month is very good and even better because it was recorded for the month of January, which is typically the worst month for drowning incidents to occur.

"Summer weather and holidays increase the number of people recreating in, on and around the water and it's pleasing to see the toll reflect a great summer to date.

"It is encouraging to note a low toll for January, but one month certainly doesnât indicate a trend. Ongoing attention to water safety fundamentals such as learning swim and survival skills, supervision and boating safety are important to ensure that drowning incidents decline ongoing

"With a large part of summer still remaining, parents are reminded about the important role they play in influencing childrenâs behaviour in, on and around the water. The ability to swim and survive is the most important skill anyone can possess when it comes to safety in the water.

"Parents need to provide constant supervision and be close at hand should they need to provide assistance to children. There is no room for complacency when it comes to safety around water, drowning is silent and can happen in an instant."

For more information go to www.watersafety.org.nz

21st December 2009 - NZ’S INAUGURAL WATER SAFETY AWARDS