“The lakes and beaches here are amazing, and of course plenty of people will be travelling to swim for the holidays, but we have to remain careful,” Ms Catley said of holiday safety. “There’s nothing more quintessential than going to the beach during the holidays in Australia.”

“I would strongly recommend people swim between the red and yellow flags. On the Eastern seaboard we also have fantastic lifesavers on our beaches, and if you are attending the beach go to one that is patrolled with flags.”

Catley also urged holidaymakers and swimmers to listen to the advice of “the lifesaving professionals”.

“They are highly skilled and know what they are doing,” she said. “Make sure you take their advice to stay safe while you are at the beach, and listen to what they have to say at all times.”

The Member for Swansea has also been urging rock-fishermen in recent weeks to wear life jackets when undertaking their fishing, and has demanded a mandatory law for the safety equipment.

“Rock-fisherman that are going to go out in the holidays, make sure you are wearing your life jackets. It’s the safest thing you can do as a fisherman to alleviate the threat of injury or death. We want to make sure that this year we have zero deaths in the area.”

Local lifeguards will be patrolling Blacksmiths, Catherine Hill Bay, Caves Beach and Redhead beaches through the school holidays and until April.

Patrol times for the area will be Monday to Sunday from 8.30 to 5pm, with Surf Life Saving Clubs also sending volunteers on patrols between 8.30am and 5pm on Sundays.

Where necessary, holiday patrol times may also be extended.