Victorians, like those in Hume and Whittlesea, are warned to be cautious when using in household spas and baths during winter, as new data revealed home drownings were highest in the month of July.
Statistics collated by Life Saving Victoria showed that children under 14, adults aged between 25 to 44 and over 65s were most at risk.
The warning comes as the 2021-22 drowning toll approaches the 20-year high toll of 2020-21, with 53 reported fatal drowning incidents reported so far. This is 33 per cent more than the 10-year average for this period.
Life Saving Victoria manager research and evaluation Dr Hannah Calverley warned Victorians that being at home did not mean residents should be less vigilant.
“You may think that if you are at home and do not have a swimming pool, that there is no risk of drowning in your home, but this is a dangerous misconception,” Dr Calverley said.
“Drowning can happen as quickly as 20 seconds in as little as a few centimetres of water, so filled bathtubs or sinks, spa baths, wading pools or even buckets of water can pose a deadly threat, particularly to children.”
Dr Calverly said children under the age of five should be kept within arms reach around any source of water and children under ten years old should be constantly in eyeline without distractions.
“Stopping to check your mobile phone, reading a book or walking away to tend to another child can have devastating consequences, so if your child is bathing, you must be there with them at all times in order to keep them safe.”
Life Saving Victoria also reminded residents not to mix alcohol and water as they enjoyed their mid-year holidays.
“Alcohol and other drugs can increase risk-taking behaviour and impact your judgement of dangerous situations after just one drink,” Dr Calverly said.
“Drugs and alcohol can also make you drowsy, which combined with a warm spa or bath could lead to you falling asleep and slipping into the water, but not realise due to the effects of alcohol or drugs, so please, save having a drink until after you have finished relaxing in the pool, spa or any other waterway.”
