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A compilation of six water safety advertisements produced by the National Safety Water Council and the New Zealand Broadcasting Service’s Commercial Division for radio broadcast on 2XP in 1955. Studio re-enactments based at the beach, river and in the harbour.
1. A boy dares and taunts another to swim across a river but the unconfident swimmer ends up in trouble.
Re-enactment begins, “Look let’s go across here…” and ends, “Don’t leave me, don’t, don’t!” The Voice of Safety, “For a happier holiday play safe this summer. Children don’t be dared, be careful.” The Announcer concludes, “Yes remember that kiddies, courage starts with common sense… play carefully.”
2. A couple boating on the harbour without life jackets get into difficulty.
Re-enactment begins, “Oh what a glorious afternoon and isn’t the harbour wonderful today…” and ends with, “… life jackets? You know we didn’t bring the life jackets Joe.” Announcer, “Don’t let that happen to you.” The Voice of Safety says, “When boating or fishing from rocks always take your life jackets along… to an unknown person to risk his life in an effort to save yours.” Announcer’s outro, “Yes, save a life if you can, but don’t cause two drownings when there may have been one.”
3. A couple on a beach observe surf life savers going to the aid of children swimming with floats.
Re-enactment begins, “What’s the trouble over there, what’s happening?” and ends with, “madness letting kids play on floats, what on earth are their parents thinking about?” Announcer, “Yes a good question. Rubber floats and beach balls have been the cause of many deaths by drowning. The Voice of Safety,“Leave yours at home this summer, your kiddies lives are in your hands… can carry them unknowingly into danger.” Re-enactment ends, “There’s no doubt about that, I’ve seen it happen too often… leave them at home and you’ll have a better holiday”. Announcer’s outro, “Remember that, that was the voice of experience.”
4. A couple swim in a less populated area of the beach, ignoring the warning to stay within the surf flags and get caught in the undertow.
Re-enactment begins, “Oh let’s get away from this crowd Jean there are too many here, lets go where its quiet…” and ends, “…. John, John, the undertow, help, help!” The Announcer, “Yes just like that, it’s happened so often.” The Voice of Safety says, “Swim with people, it’s safer. Stay with the crowd for happier seaside fun this summer.” Re-enactment concludes, “Yes that’s good advice. You’ll usually find the crowd between the red and yellow flags… but we can’t be everywhere, you will help, won’t you?” The Voice of Safety, “He means you, yes, you.”
5. A tramper attempts to cross a flooded river but slips and is injured by a floating log.
The Announcer, “Trampers, the Voice of Safety warns you”. The Voice of Safety, “Take care when crossing flooded rivers.” Re-enactment begins, “Well this looks all right, what about here… it’s my knees, the log hit them.” Announcer, “That’s the danger of flooded rivers, you can never be sure.” So heed The Voice of Safety, “Take care this summer, there are hidden menaces in the flooded river, find out all you can about the water before going in, and if in doubt, stay out.”
6. A man telephones his friend to see how he is recovering after nearly drowning when out of his depth.
Re-enactment begins, “Hello?” “Hello, you still alive old boy?” “Still a bit groggy you know…” and ends, “…just goes to show, you’re getting older old boy.” The Announcer, “Yes we’re all getting older and it’s a wise man who realises his limitations…” The Voice of Safety says, “Don’t go out beyond your depth.” The Announcer, “And that’s good advice for young people too… and all they ask of you is that you be a volunteer for safety.” Outro, “A good thought that, think about it.”