![BE SAFE: The Marine Enforcement Team will be monitoring the waterways in Dubbo with police officers on boats and jet skis. Photo: BELINDA SOOLE. BE SAFE: The Marine Enforcement Team will be monitoring the waterways in Dubbo with police officers on boats and jet skis. Photo: BELINDA SOOLE.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/PN5FxwRn32iFh8yVWdK38H/a59de80a-868b-4689-8c35-2397eb741f75.JPG/r0_0_5568_3712_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Dubbo police are urging people to take extra care when swimming in unfamiliar waterways this summer.
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Western Police District Inspector Dan Skelly said more people die in rivers and inland waterways than any other body of water.
“People die in rivers and inland waterways like dams more than they do on the coast, it is also important to remember 56 per cent of drownings are linked to alcohol consumption,” he said.
“When you are using rivers and dams use a recognised spot and remember where it was shallow water a day ago it may be deep today, currents are different, there could be hazards just underneath the surface like branches from trees. Children especially need to be supervised; adults need to be responsible for their children near the water. We all need to take care near water.”