It's been a tragic end to the Christmas period with four Australians drowning over the weekend.
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Three Victorians and a South Australian woman drowned on Christmas Day and Boxing Day on what life saving groups call the deadliest week of the year.
In NSW, hot weather and large crowds at beaches on Boxing Day saw volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards perform a staggering 348 rescues across the state.
With the mercury rising to 40 degrees in some parts of the country on Tuesday, heat wave conditions are expected to see thousands flock to beaches.
People are being urged to prioritise safety around water in a bid to prevent further tragedy.
Director of lifesaving services with Life Saving Victoria Kane Treloar said it was essential to know and stick to your limits when it comes to swimming abilities.
"For those planning to cool off by Victorian waterways during this heatwave event, I urge you to head to a patrolled location and swim between the red and yellow flags. With over 60 across the state, one of them is bound to be near you," he said.
Over the weekend two Victorian children were rescued in a near-drowning at St Kilda Beach in Melbourne's southeast, and in South Australia, six stand-up paddle boarders were rescued after being swept out to sea at Moonta Bay on the Copper Coast on Monday night.
In NSW drowning deaths are 2.7 times more likely to occur on a public holiday and 1.6 times more likely during school holidays, according to Surf Life Saving NSW.
The Royal Life Saving Association has warned that heavy rain and flooding throughout the year may have added debris to popular swimming spots.
"Sandbanks can move, riverbanks can be destabilised, and flood debris is a significant problem in many places across Australia, and will continue to be for some months," Royal Life Saving chief executive officer Justin Scarr said.
"Many rivers, lakes and dams have more water than in previous years and with lots of water moving downstream, especially after flooding. It's important not to let children play or swim in floodwater."
In 20 years of fatal drowning data, last summer had the highest number of deaths on record, with 145 people drowning across Australia, according to the Royal Life Saving Society Australia.
Regional and remote communities pose unique challenges for water safety drowning prevention due to limited lifesaving services, reduced mobile phone service and longer emergency response times.
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One-third of the Australian population live in regional and remote communities and 58 per cent of people drowned in inner and outer regional and remote areas in the last year, according to the 2022 National Drowning Report.
The report also shows that 82 per cent of all drowning deaths were males.
"Men particularly need to leave their alcohol consumption until after they're out of the water," Mr Scarr said.
"Alcohol was present in more than a quarter of drowning deaths last summer so we're asking everyone to stay off the beers until they're back on dry land."
Police have warned that people should be aware of the potential dangers of using flotation devices, including stand-up paddle boards and inflatables in the ocean as they were highly susceptible to winds and may be carried out to sea.
Top tips to enjoy water safely this summer include always supervising children around water, avoiding alcohol, wearing a lifejacket when boating and fishing, being aware of the conditions and avoiding going alone.
