Take extra care as Australians re-emerge this holiday

Ahead of the summer holiday peak, life-saving groups are urging swimmers to be extra careful near the water, after one of Australia's worst years for drownings. Road safety warnings have also increased as motorists are urged to avoid driving through floodwaters in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Police around the country say they're also preparing for a higher volume of traffic on roads and highways, with all the borders down for the first time in three years during the holiday season.

A Surf lifesaver is seen on a windy and rainy Christmas Day on Bondi Beach in Sydney Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE