Holidaymakers are being warned to take care near water, with nine drowning deaths in Victoria since the start of summer and a staggering four since New Year’s Eve.

CEO of Lifesaving Victoria, Cath Greaves, says swimming skills have likely deteriorated during the pandemic, so it’s important Victorians to know their limits before getting in the water.

“With the festive season, the beautiful weather, two years in and out of COVID-19 lockdowns, people have been recreating and around water a lot less and have probably found their skills and fitness levels have regressed during that time,” she told Tony Jones, filling in for Neil Mitchell.

“People don’t know their limits so well when they get back into the water.

“If you don’t make safety a priority it could absolutely happen to you.”

Ms Greaves urged Victorians to swim at patrolled locations and during patrolled hours whenever possible, to actively supervise children around water, and to avoid swimming after drinking alcohol.

Press PLAY below to hear more about how to prevent drowning deaths