With six fatal drownings in the state since Christmas Day, Life Saving Victoria research and evaluation manager Hannah Calverley is warning parents and guardians to maintain child supervision around water.
Children aged five to 14 are at highest risk of drowning in January.
Of the 38 children in that age group who have drowned in the past decade, 34 per cent have been during January.
Dr Calverley said that during school holidays, families often enjoyed a break on the coast or by a river, but parents must never take a break from water safety.
“It takes just 20 seconds for a child to drown in as little as a few centimetres of water,” Dr Calverly said.
“Please actively supervise children at all times, which means under-fives in arm’s reach and under-10s in your constant and direct eyeline.”
Dr Calverley said in large groups or at celebrations it could be easy to assume someone else was watching the kids, when in fact nobody was.
“Have a designated adult supervisor whose role it is to actively watch the kids,” she said.
“You can rotate this role throughout the day, so everyone gets a chance to relax and enjoy themselves.
“The designated supervisor should also be above the age of 16 and prepared and capable to enter the water in an emergency.”
Kidsafe Victoria general manager Jason Chambers also encouraged parents to learn CPR and first aid so they had the skills to respond should the worst happen.
“Hopefully, these are skills you will never have to use, but if you do, it could be the difference between life and death,” Mr Chambers said.