Four drownings in Victoria since New Year's Eve have Life Saving Victoria pleading with Victorians to take more care around the water.
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The drownings mean there have been nine water-related deaths this summer and 25 this financial year.
Life Saving Victoria general manager of lifesaving services Liam Krige said authorities were pleading with Victorians to take water safety seriously to prevent further tragedies.
"The last thing we want to see is festivities turn into fatalities," he said. "But tragically, four people have died from drowning since New Year's Eve and seven since Christmas."
"People think drowning will never happen to them. But drowning can happen to anyone, and if you don't make safety your priority around water, it could happen to you.
On Friday, a toddler passed away in hospital after being found unresponsive in a Footscray pond earlier in the week. The same day, a woman's body was recovered by police after she was washed into the sea while rock fishing with family in Punchbowl.
Two more drownings happened at the weekend with a a seven-year-old boy's body recovered by police search and rescue divers from the Snowy River after he went missing while swimming on Saturday.
In Princetown, three swimmers were reported in distress in rough conditions to the east of the Gellibrand River mouth with a local private helicopter rescuing the trio and performing CPR on one of the swimmers. A 35-year-old male died at the scene.
Mr Krige said it was an absolutely horror start to 2022.
"We know people are keen to let loose and relax after another tough year, by we're urging Victorians to stop and think about the risks around water before they find themselves in trouble," he said.
"It's clear people aren't taking the risks around water seriously, and we're incredibly concerned we're going to see further devastation in and around our waterways.
"It only takes seconds for things to get out of hand, so while you're relaxing these holidays, remember to never relax your vigilance around water."
Mr Krige said there are simple steps you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
"While we've seen a horror spate of drownings (since New Year's Eve), the good news is that drowning is preventable," he said.
"(Simple steps) include swimming at patrolled locations during times that lifesavers are present wherever possible, knowing and sticking to your limits, avoiding alcohol and other drugs around water, and constant and active adult supervision of children around water.
"Twenty seconds is all it takes for a child to drown in just a few centimetres of water, so remember to keep kids under five within arm's reach, and under 10s in eyesight.
"If you're planning on boating or fishing, remember that lifejackets save lives, so put on a well-fitted and properly maintained lifejacket before you head out, go out with a mate, and make sure you let someone who where you're going and when you'll be home.
"If there's one thing we want people to remember when they're around water, it's that anyone can drown, but no one should, so be safe and smart around water and make this new year one to remember for the right reasons."
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