New beach safety campaigns launched

As we pack away the winter blankets, thoughts are turning to spending lazy days on the beach, one of the true privileges of living in a coastal city.

But this privilege comes with safety warnings from the girls and boys in red and yellow who keep our beaches safe. Swim between the flags and follow all instructions from lifesavers.

In 2008/9 there were 46 incidents of drowning on NSW beaches, an increase on last year. This figure represents almost half of the national toll of 94.

The increase has been attributed partly to increased beach usage, especially with the financial crisis making it an affordable recreation.

“We’re working on a number of new initiatives with the beach season coming up that will work on reducing the number of incidents,” says Matt Thompson, National Safety Services Manager of Surf Lifesaving Australia.

The campaigns – flyers, posters, online resources and television advertisements – will provide multilingual safety messages for the diverse backgrounds of visitors to Australian beaches.

Thompson also indicated concern about the high number of rock fishing related drownings, especially in NSW. A new campaign launched last weekend specifically targets this group.

– By Emma James