AusLeisure

Figures from Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) indicate the preventable fatal drowning toll for the official holiday period (running from 4pm on 22nd December 2017 to 6am on 3rd January 2018) is five.

Commenting on the figures, WSNZ Chief Executive, Jonty Mills started "this is less than last years’ toll for the same period and whilst encouraging, one preventable drowning is one too many and a tragedy for all families and communities involved.

Mills (pictured) says this years’ number is encouraging in that the sector was bracing for a busy season due to the early onset of summer and warmer weather, together with the broad nature of the drowning problem in New Zealand.

"We have very high participation rates across a wide range of water based activities, be it at the beach, rivers, lakes or pools."

Mills says it’s pleasing that no under-fives lost their lives, adding "2017 has been a tragic one for under-fives with seven preventable fatalities. Hopefully this means the constant supervision message is getting through.

"The summer holidays go on for a couple more months yet and we know Kiwis will continue to enjoy our beautiful waterways as the warm weather goes on. We need all Kiwis need to take responsibility and think about water safety.

“Remember the water safety code. Be prepared, watch out for yourself and each other, be aware of the dangers and know your limits.”

The average toll during this period for the last five years is seven preventable drowning fatalities.

The lowest number for the official holiday period in recent times was two back in 2006 and the highest was 11 in 2008. 

13th December 2017 - NEW ZEALAND WATER SAFETY SECTOR SOUNDS ALARM BELLS AHEAD OF HOLIDAY PERIOD 

17th November 2017 - WATER SAFETY NEW ZEALAND INVESTS $1.66 MILLION INTO WATER SAFETY EDUCATION 

28th September 2017 - REPORT SHOWS SMALL DECREASE IN PREVENTABLE DROWNING IN NEW ZEALAND

8th September 2017 - CONCERN OVER DECLINING SWIMMING SKILLS AMONG NEW ZEALAND CHILDREN

16th March 2017 - SURF LIFESAVING NATIONALS RETURN TO CHRISTCHURCH 

5th January 2017 - SURF LIFE SAVING NEW ZEALAND WELCOMES ZERO DROWNINGS AT PATROLLED BEACHES

6th December 2016 - SURF LIFE SAVING NEW ZEALAND BEGINS SUMMER FUNDRAISING

11th April 2016 - CONNECTIONS CONFERENCE TACKLES CRITICAL THINKING FOR NEW ZEALAND SPORT LEADERS 

25th September 2015 - COLLABORATIVE PLAN TO ADDRESS NEW ZEALAND’S HIGH DROWNING TOLL 

29th July 2015 - NEW ZEALAND DROWNINGS RISE IN 2015 

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