Water safety has been the top message provided by local Hato Hone St John for residents and visitors to the Top of the South this summer holiday period.
Hato Hone St John says it responded to almost 200 water incidents nationwide between December 2022 and February this year and several were fatal.
It had also responded to 14 per cent more water incidents in 2022.
Nelson Marlborough area ambulance manager, Anne-Maree Harris, urged the public to take care around the region’s “beautiful lakes and waterways”.
“We just want people to take care around the water, and that’s including boating, wearing lifejackets correctly, and ensuring that when they swim around beaches and rivers that children are supervised at all times,” she says.
“Make sure that you’re swimming within your ability and, if you get tired, just have a break and go back to shore.
“So, definitely the drowning would be something that we would really like to work towards to have nothing happen in that area.”
Anne-Maree says Golden Bay had been a hotspot for St John response in previous summer holiday periods, and it would like to see a reduction.
“Golden Bay has a large influx of people going through in that summer period, there’s one road in and a lot of traffic on that road, so we do see an increase in motor vehicle accidents during that time,” she says.
“When we’re talking about speed, we understand speed links to injury, so the faster you go and you have an accident you’re more than likely to have a severe injury, so we’re asking people to be mindful of their speed and to drive carefully.
“In Golden Bay there’s lots of things to do, we have lots of outdoor activities that could cause traumatic injuries, so it’s again around making sure you’ve got the right footwear on, the right gear… and if an incident happens, be aware of where you are so we can come and find you.”
Anne-Maree says “good planning” was also required for local New Year’s celebrations.
“If you’re going to be going out and enjoying the new year, if you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve keep yourself hydrated, keep yourself safe, If you’re with a group of people look after your friends and be aware of where you are.”
