Fire and Rescue NSW has issued a warning over the Summer to caravan owners to check that they have a working carbon monoxide detector as well as a working smoke alarm. The sensors in a carbon monoxide and gas leak degrade over time and require replacement every five years or as per manufacturer instructions. 

An incident occurred at an Eden Caravan park on 5 January 2024 where Fire and Rescue 286 Eden attended a local caravan park at 2pm when a family with two young children were forced to flee their caravan after the piercing alert of their carbon monoxide alarm woke them up.

While the battery was found to be overheating, the incident highlighted that even low levels of carbon monoxide when inhaled can be dangerous.

In other Summer safety advice for Kiama residents and visitors, Craig Robert, the Drowning Prevention and Education manager for The Royal Life Saving Society has warned against complacency for swimmers over the summer.

“Last summer, 100 per cent of drowning deaths were in un-patrolled areas, and of all drownings, 83 per cent were men. Last summer’s drowning toll set a tragic record, and this summer is already on track to surpassing that, with 42 tragedies in Australian inland and coastal waterways since 1st December,” Mr Roberts said.

“Older adults - represented a 64 per cent increase in drowning deaths last year. For over 65s, get to know your health and fitness levels in different conditions, check medications and any medical conditions before you go.”

“Men - are still at the greatest risk of drowning, representing 83 per cent of the drowning toll.

Understanding your swim and survival skills, avoiding alcohol and any water activity, wearing life jackets their swim and survival skills may be different on land, in water, and between pools, surf and rivers (men are still 83 per cent of the drowning toll).

Of people born overseas, 35 per cent identify as non or poor swimmers. Even if you don’t intend to swim, adult swimming lessons are key to keeping yourself and your family safe around the water.

Alcohol is involved in 16 per cent of all drowning fatalities. Swimming pools are still the leading site of drowning among children and adults over 75 years.

Beach safety in particular is a safety concern around Kiama over the summer.

Last year, Kiama was a hotspot for near drownings as the beaches filled up with visitors. Phil Perry, President of Kiama SLSC confirmed to The Bugle that a couple of successful rescues occurred at Surf beach on the weekend of 6 and 7 January 2024.

“Stay within the flags and avoid known rips, which are signposted,” Phil said. 

At this time of year last Summer, the recently installed Emergency Relay Beacons (ERBs) were activated for the first time over the 7/8 January 2023 weekend, twice at Bombo Beach and once at Kendalls, the latter due to a shark sighting.

Craig Bowley, Kiama’s head lifeguard, has reminded beachgoers to avoid this dangerous spot.

“I know it looks like an appealing stretch of water – and many people spot it as they turn off the highway to drive into Central Kiama. But the warning signs are there for a reason. South Bombo is one of the most dangerous stretches of coastline in the Kiama Municipality.”

Mr Bowley advises people to instead swim at the patrolled section of North Bombo between the flags. “Or explore one of our other patrolled beaches – besides North Bombo, we have Jones, Surf Beach, Easts, Kendalls, Werri and Seven Mile.”

Mr Bowley also warned of rough conditions, rips and currents, including in the Minnamurra River, where the tidal current can be very strong at times.

“If you do get caught in a rip, the best thing to do is try not to panic, float and conserve your energy, rather than fighting against it. A rip will often take you out but then bring you back around to a sandbar or shallow area, from which you can return to shore or wait to be rescued,” Mr Bowley said.

If you see someone who is in distress, Council urges people to alert the lifeguards and/or use the ERBs rather than going in yourself.