Seqwater launches freshwater safety initiative

While summer is all but over on the calendar, the agreeable weather in South East Queensland continues apace and boating is still high on the fun-list.

Increasingly, boaters in South East Queensland are turning to the state's freshwater resources, dams and lakes, many of which are managed by the statuary authority Seqwater.

Seqwater’s dams, lakes and parks provide some of the best and most affordable swimming, boating, fishing and camping experiences in South East Queensland with almost 2.6 million visitors last year. 

With thousands of Queensland families, schools, sporting groups and recreation clubs escaping the Queensland heat at local lakes and dams, it’s important to remember that still water can still be risky.

In fact, the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2015 revealed 37 per cent of drowning deaths occurred in inland waterways between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. This is more drowning deaths than at beaches (20 per cent) and ocean/harbour locations (13 per cent) combined.

This sorry statistic highlights the need for people to consider their safety when visiting inland waterways such as our lakes. Don't let complacency set in.

But while there is a serious side to safety, Seqwater also wants you to have fun. That’s why Seqwater has launched its "Safey" — a competition and website that encourages you to take a selfie while playing it safe.

You can take a #safey by yourself or in a group, but remember, you must be having fun and playing it safe for your entry to count!

The better your #safey relates to the Seqwater Play-it-Safe advice, the greater chance you have of winning a weekly GoPro Hero4 Action camera (value $299) or a fortnightly BCF gift card (value $1000).

For some #safey inspiration check out the gallery of entries already received and remember Seqwater’s top tips listed above for playing it safe.

The competition closes on 10 April.  So hurry and get on board. For more information go to www.safey.com.au.