CANBERRA, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Australians have been urged to stay safe around water following a spate of drowning deaths.
Several people died on Sunday and Monday as people across Australia sought beaches to escape from a Christmas long weekend heatwave.
It takes Australia's summer drowning death toll to 11, prompting a warning from the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) as the country enters the most dangerous period for water safety.
There were 145 drowning deaths in Australia in the summer of 2021/22 - the most in more than 20 years.
According to the RLSS, 10 of the 11 so far in December were males and alcohol was a factor in one quarter.
"There have been 11 drownings this summer so far including two on Christmas Day," RLSS spokesman RJ Houston told the Guardian Australia.
"It's not as high as it was (at this time) last summer but we're concerned about the heatwave across the southern states now - we don't want last summer's tragedy to be repeated."
Parents are advised to keep watch over their children in or near the water at all times and be aware if their swimming skills are below average.
Houston said swimmers should avoid alcohol and that life jackets are essential for everyone who is boating or fishing.
