New Zealanders Take More Care Around Water

Eight drownings in October have continued the record low drowning toll for this year according to statistics released from Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ). A total of 76 people have now drowned to date this year.

The biggest single area of reduction is in accidental immersions, with a large percentage of these in the under five year age group said WSNZ Executive Director, Alan Muir

“Over the past 5 years an average of 10 pre-school children have drowned in accidental immersions. So far this year there has only been half this number.”

Rivers, harbours, home pools and surf beaches normally account for half of all immersion accidents. That usually means about 17 drownings each year. So far this year there has only been 3 drownings in these major problem areas.

“The reduction in accidental immersion drownings this year highlights an increasing awareness from people towards ensuring that their environment is safe and that they take proper care of themselves and their children. This is likely to be the result of extensive promotion of personal safety by a wide range of water safety organisations” said Mr Muir.

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