Last summer NSW had 36 drowning fatalities, with seven people tragically losing their lives in our waterways between Christmas and 2 January 2018.

While this is an improvement on the 2016-17 summer, one life lost is one life too many.

Understandably, people are excited for the Christmas break and school holidays, and often flock to our ocean shores and beautiful waterways to celebrate this period.

Unfortunately, the festive season is also the peak time when we lose loved ones to drowning, particularly on public holidays.

While we want everyone to have a good time, mates don’t let mates do stupid things, so we are reminding everyone to take care and step in if you think someone shouldn’t be swimming.

This summer, the NSW Government is calling on risk taking young men, in particular, to swim between the flags, look out for their mates and not to drink alcohol or take drugs before swimming.

Summer hasn’t even started yet and already we have seen a number of tragic water incidents making news headlines. I urge people, please don’t overestimate your ability and underestimate the water.

Based on the findings of a Royal Life Saving NSW (RLSNSW) report, the campaign aims to drive home the very real risks associated with water and educate people on what they can do to stay safe, including:

Expanding on last year’s campaign, people will be reminded to stay safe as they head to the beach, pool or waterway, via radio, social media and newspapers, on billboards and buses, and while listening to summer playlists. For more information visit:www.watersafety.nsw.gov.au

Minister for Police Troy Grant 

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