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Easter caution: We don't want to be telling families their loved one is dead

Author
Chelsea Daniels,
Publish Date
Fri, 30 Mar 2018, 7:07AM
There are calls for people to be extra careful on the roads and in the water over the Easter break. (Photo: NZ Herald)
There are calls for people to be extra careful on the roads and in the water over the Easter break. (Photo: NZ Herald)

Easter caution: We don't want to be telling families their loved one is dead

Author
Chelsea Daniels,
Publish Date
Fri, 30 Mar 2018, 7:07AM

There are warnings to be safe this Easter, both on the roads and in the water.

Police officers are bracing for a deadly weekend on the roads this Easter.

Last year, two people lost their lives on Easter weekend.

This year's road toll is already higher than it was this time last year, with 100 casualties since January 1.

National Road Policing manager Superintendent Steve Greally says police don't want it to happen, but they are preparing for a deadly weekend on the roads.

"We really don't want to have to go to anybody's homes, knock on the door to say that someone has died. That is by far the hardest job in the police."

He asks that everyone be patient, wear their seatbelt and allow time for delays.

"Being patient is a big part of this [and] not trying to be a Formula 1 driver. And remember there's going to be queues, there's going to be congestion."

Water safety experts are also calling for safety if people are considering heading to the beach this weekend.

Last year, 88 people lost their lives in fatal drowning incidents considered to be preventable.

Phil Waggott, who has 18 years experience as a swim teacher, has launched SplashSave, an online tool for parents to take the lead in their child's water education.

He says holiday long weekends are synonymous with avoidable drownings.

"That's because people are in the water, and obviously the more exposure you have to something the more chances there are that something will go wrong."

Waggott says teaching a child how to float on their back is a good place to start.

"Once you've learnt to float, you can float for hours on end and not use too much energy."

 

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