The past couple of days have been perfect for a swim in the pool or dip in the ocean.

Tomorrow is the first day of summer, which means more time being spent around water, but sadly it’s when rates of drowning tend to increase.

Royal Life Saving Society Australia CEO Justin Scarr is urging everyone to make water safety awareness a key priority this summer after drownings increased by 15 on the previous year to 333, including 145 over summer.

Press PLAY to hear how you can reduce your drowning risk this summer

“Last year was an absolute shocker, obviosuly on the east coast we had significant flooding… and in the wake of COVID, we were out and about more, enjoying our wonderful waterways,” he told 6PR Afternoons host Jo McManus.

“But it’s absolutely tragic that with that increase activity, came some really disturbing drowning events.

“West Australians have done really well in forcing down drowning incidents, but last year was not a good one.”