There seems to be a bit of a catchcry emerging that what appears to be called a heat wave these days is just what most used to call summer.

No matter which side of that argument you land there's still an important thing to keep in mind. Looking out for yourself and others in the heat is just as important as keeping an eye on those around you during the freezing depths of winter.

Especially now, as the region swelters into another hot public holiday period, which Royal Life Saving research has revealed is an even more dangerous time to head to the water.

We have one of the deadliest waterways in the country right on our doorstep in the Murrumbidgee River - it's been named in the top 10 locations for inland drownings - and the risk of drowning skyrockets on a public holiday.

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More than a third of drownings on public holidays involve alcohol, and even when sober people are twice as likely to drown on a public holiday. It's a frightening statistic.

Slip, slop, slap, hydrate, watch your alcohol intake and even more importantly than ever, be extra careful around water.

And let's not forget to spare a thought for the outdoor workers who keep the community and our little world ticking along.

While many complain about the heat, the posties, gardeners, tradies, council workers, road builders, farmers, delivery drivers - they're getting on with the job.

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People like Knud Joergen Olesen-Jensen - you may know him as Joergen - and his colleagues who zip around the city every day, unmissable in their flouro get-up as they drop mail, parcels and the dreaded bills into letterboxes.

They've just endured a record-breaking December with Australia Post, and are no doubt responsible for making Christmas 2020 a memorable and joyous occasion for many households across the city.

And that's on top of a gruelling pandemic year where we online shopped until we dropped, thanks to restrictions at supermarkets and retailers, taking up new hobbies, discovering beauty tutorials on Youtube, working from home and, quite possibly, just looking for something to do.