Life Saving Victoria [LSV] is encouraging Victorians to stay safe around the water this Melbourne Cup long weekend.
LSV health promotion and communications general manager Dr Bernadette Matthews said people celebrating the Melbourne Cup long weekend should keep an eye on current warnings during times of flood risk.
“If you’re enjoying the cup day holiday by the water, don’t gamble on water safety,” she said.
“With many parts of Victoria sadly experiencing significant rain events and flooding in recent weeks, it is more important than ever to exercise caution at our waterways and check the VicEmergency app for updates on severe weather events and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) website for water quality information.
“If you are planning to use the holiday to take a break by the water, you should also familiarise yourself with local risks such as park and road closures or damage due to the recent flooding, and reconsider travelling to a safer location.”
Dr Matthews also said anyone drinking alcohol or taking drugs should not be near the water.
“Alcohol and drugs are a key factor in drowning, and can lead people to overestimate their swimming ability and underestimate the risks involved in water-based activities,” she said.
“Consuming alcohol and drugs can also affect your judgement, coordination and reaction time, increasing risk-taking behaviour.
“If you plan on celebrating the public holiday with a drink, make sure you wait until after you have completed all water-related activities.”
Dr Matthews said special attention was required to care for children around water.
“We know children are curious, and sadly, this curiosity can have catastrophic consequences around water when active supervision lapses, even if for only a moment,” she said.
“To avoid a tragedy this Cup Day, make sure under fives are always within arm’s reach and under tens are under constant and direct adult supervision.
“Children can drown in 20 seconds in as little as a few centimetres of water, so even taking a moment to get dinner started, put on a load of washing or grab towels for bath time is too long to leave a child unattended.”
