Keep your family safe on the water

THAT TIME OF THE YEAR: Julian Pitman has a few tips for keeping safe this summer. PHOTO/FILE

Know your limits in the water, so people like Julian Pitman, club captain with the Whangarei Heads Volunteer Surf Lifesaving patrol, won't have to haul you out of the water.

1. Be prepared: Learn to swim and survive. Set rules for safe play in the water. Always use correct equipment and know the weather and water conditions before you get in.

2. Watch out for yourself and others: Always pay close attention to children you are supervising when in or near water. Swim with others and where lifeguards are present.

3. Be aware of the dangers: Enter shallow and unknown water feet first and obey safety signs and warning flags. Don't enter the water after drinking alcohol.

4. Know your limits: Challenge yourself within your physical limits and experience. Learn ways of rescuing others without putting yourself in danger.

Boating safety tips from Coastguard1. Life jackets: Wear them. Boats, especially under 6m in length, can sink quickly. Wearing a life jacket increases your survival time in the water.

2. Skipper responsibility: The skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone on board and for the safe operation of the boat. Stay within the limits of your vessel and your experience. Take a Coastguard boating education course like Day Skipper, Boatmaster or marine VHF radio training (www.boatingeducation.org.nz).

3. Communications: Take two separate waterproof ways of communicating.

4. Marine weather: New Zealand's weather can be highly unpredictable. Check the local marine weather forecast before you go and expect weather and sea state changes.

5. Avoid alcohol: Safe boating and booze don't mix.

Water Safety NZTips for parents/caregivers of pre-schoolers from Water Safety New Zealand :

1. Keep under-5s within arm's reach at all times. It takes only 60 seconds and 5cm of water for a child to drown.

2. Always empty and store paddling pools and water containers after use and ensure you have a safely-fenced play area.

3. Identify water hazards in and around your home and ensure your children can't reach them.

4. If you're in a group of people, ensure you have a supervision roster so you know who is watching the children at all times.

5. Make sure older children don't have to take responsibility for younger children.

6. Teach your children water safety behaviour as soon as they are old enough to understand.