Summer is an amazing time to be on the Coast, both for locals and visitors. Many of us will head to our spectacular beaches, shop till we drop and enjoy great food at the outstanding cafés and restaurants peppered across the Coast.
Our summer season is also our busiest time and we all need to take simple steps to keep ourselves and others safe.
Coast Summer Safety is all about providing simple steps to keep safe this summer, so that it is a great time for everyone.
Explore top safety tips across the below categories:
- Safety on the beach and around water
- 'Get Ready' for severe weather and emergency events
- Safety out and about
- Safe travels
- Safe celebrations
Safety on the beach and around water
As many of us head to the water during the warmer summer months it is important to remember that all aquatic environments can be dangerous and safety steps need to be followed.
Safety on the beach
Watch the below video for simple steps to follow to help have safe and fun trips to the beach.
Find out which Central Coast beaches are patrolled, open/closed status, which beaches are dog friendly and important safety tips on our beaches webpage.
Rock fishing
Rock fishing is a dangerous pastime. On the Central Coast it's now law to wear a life jacket when rock fishing - no matter what your skill level or experience.
Watch the below video for key things to remember if you are planning to go rock fishing.
Find out more about important safety steps for rock fishing.
Pool safety
Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death in very young children in NSW.
The most effective home pool safety measure is always proper adult supervision.
- A well-maintained child resistant pool barrier is also mandatory for preventing unsupervised access to backyard swimming pools and spa pools.
- In NSW, the owners of properties with a swimming pool and/or a spa pool are required to register their pools and spas on the NSW Swimming Pool Register.
Find out how to register your swimming pool.
'Get Ready' for severe weather and emergency events
We know that severe weather and other emergency events will continue to be a part of our lives on the Central Coast and we need to be ready for bush fires, floods, or storms.
Whether you're new to the Coast or have lived here for decades, now is the time to prepare a current plan to help protect yourself, your family and your property.
Follow these easy steps to 'Get Ready':
- Know your risk - It's important to think about the area you live in, your circumstances and the types of disasters that could affect you.
- Plan now for what you will do. Ensure you have a current emergency plan in place which considers your risks, abilities and resources, plus an emergency evacuation kit ready to go.
- Get your home or business premises ready. Prepare your property to best withstand emergency events and ensure you are adequately insured.
- Be aware and keep informed. Find out in advance where to find critical information in the lead up to, or during, an emergency event.
- Look out for each other. Don't wait for an emergency to build community networks with neighbours.
For more information and resources on preparing for storms, floods, bush fire, heatwaves and other emergency events, go to our dedicated webpage, centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/emergencies
You can also see live feeds from lead emergency agencies and find more important 'Get Ready' information at our Central Coast Emergency Dashboard.
Safety out and about
As we get 'out and about' this summer we have to be extra careful to keep children safe. We also need to keep a close eye on our four legged friends.
Walking and cycling safely
Summer is the perfect time to get 'out and about' on foot or on your bike to explore the many great walking and cycling spots across the Coast.
It keep yourself and others safe, it is important to follow simple steps to walk and cycle safely.
Keeping kids safe
This holiday period, there'll be plenty of kids visiting our holiday spots.
- Drivers take extra care as excited children may be on the road walking/cycling to the beach or playground.
- Mums, dads, grandparents and other carers, please hold your child's hand and keep them safe, so everyone has a wonderful holiday!
- Children need to be watched at all times when they are in or near water - find out more about safety at the beach.
Pet safety
When out and about it's important that dogs are kept on a leash, except when in an allocated off-the-leash area. Council provides a number of off-the-leash areas but owners must ensure their dog is under effective command control.
- Dogs and cats are prohibited to enter schools, shopping centres, public-bathing areas including beaches (except in designated areas), food preparation areas, sporting fields, wildlife protection areas, and come within 10 metres of children's playground equipment.
- Remember to always get permission from the dog owner before approaching or patting a dog- if the owner is not present its best not to attempt patting the animal.
Find out more about responsible pet ownership.
Busy tourist hotspots
The Coast's well-known attractions will be very busy across summer so why not explore our wealth of lesser known gems and have a new experience.
With 41 beaches (15 patrolled), five expansive national parks, creative experiences, farm gate trails and hundreds of local businesses the possibilities are endless.
Find out where you can explore the Coast's hidden gems.
Safe travels
Whether you're heading to the Coast for a holiday or a Coastie off on a trip away or out-and-about enjoying your own backyard, it's important to plan for a safe trip.
Double Demerits
Over the festive break, police will be targeting:
- Speeding
- Illegal mobile phone use
- Not wearing a seatbelt
- Not using a child restraint
- Riding without an approved motorcycle helmet.
Prepare for your trip
- Be prepared before you go away.
- If your vehicle is due for a service, have it done before you head off.
- Remember, fatigue is one of the three big killers on NSW roads - don't trust your tired self.
Speeding - Stop It… Or Cop It
- Drivers, riders and all road users breaking the road rules can be caught anywhere and at any time.
- Please make road safety a priority and slow down.
Safe celebrations
The festive season is a time for celebrating but if alcohol is involved you need to plan ahead.
What's your Plan B?
- Planning on celebrating with family and friends this festive season? If you're having a drink, don't drive. What's your Plan B?
- Double Demerits will be in force this summer - find out more about Double Demerits.
Water and alcohol don't mix
- Refrain from drinking alcohol when entering water and when supervising children near water.
- Drinking and boating don't mix - when you're driving a boat, the rules are the same as driving a car.
Find out more about beach safety.
Find out more about pool safety.
