Spate of drownings as locals holiday at home

The number of summer drownings in Australia has surged this year as more holidaymakers flock to local beaches and waterways in the absence of overseas travel.

So far in December, 20 lives have been lost to drowning nationwide, compared to 14 last year for the entire summer.

The number of summer drownings in Australia has surged this year as more holidaymakers flock to local beaches and waterways in the absence of overseas travel.

So far in December, 20 lives have been lost nationwide, compared to 14 last year for the entire summer, according to the Royal Life Saving Society’s Summer Drowning Toll.

The figure includes six in Queensland, five in Victoria, four in WA, one in the NT and two each in NSW and the ACT.

Ninety per cent of the victims have been male, while the highest-risk age groups are 35-64, making up 35 per cent, and 18-34, with 25 per cent.

RLS chief executive Justin Scarr said the increase was likely the result of Australians flocking to unfamiliar waterways in their own states during the pandemic.

“People are generally restricted to their own state and unable to book holidays at an appropriate location, so there are many more people around rivers and lakes,” he said.

“At this time of year, people are exploring. They are out and about enjoying their time off and they take unnecessary risks in water and they underestimate the swimming conditions and over-estimate their swimming ability.”

Mr Scarr said all Australians should be aware of the danger and be extremely cautious watching children around water, including in backyard pools, and beware combining alcohol with water over the new year period.

“We’re advising people to avoid alcohol around water and look after their friends and family if they are doing something silly around the water,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Christmas holiday road toll has reached 22 deaths since December 23, including seven in Victoria, three in NSW, eight in Queensland, two in SA and one each in WA and Tasmania.