Research over the previous 20 years found children under 14, adults aged 25 to 44 and people over 65 are at high risk of drowning in their homes.
Life Saving Victoria research and evaluation manager Dr Hannah Calverley said winter school holidays often saw people relax, but people needed to stay vigilant around all bodies of water.
“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 Calverley said drinking alcohol and relaxing in a spa or bath could also increase the chance of falling asleep.
“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,” she said.
“Save having a drink until after you have finished relaxing in the pool, spa or any other waterway.”
There have been 53 reported drownings in Victoria so far this year, a 33 per cent increase on the 10-year average.
“This figure is just 13 per cent fewer than the same period last year, when Victoria experienced the worst drowning toll in more than 20 years,” Dr Calverley said.
“While anyone can drown, no-one should, so make sure you are making safe decisions in, on and around water, no matter how innocuous it may seem.”
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