Summer Safety 

How to stay safe in the summer. 

Whilst safety should not ruin your day to day living or your sense of adventure there are things which we can all do to protect ourselves and still enjoy the summer breaks and vacations.  Following these simple rules should help to keep you safe during these fun times. 
 

Sun Safety

  • Keep covered up; yes we have heard this time and time again, but for a good reason.  Use sun screen and keep re applying throughout the day (every 2 to 3 hours). If you have children then encourage them to apply sun screen to themselves, this encourages a routine which will benefit them later in life.
  • Drink plenty of water.  Heat related illness can be bad news (believe me I know first hand).  By re hydrating yourself throughout the day you will find plenty of benefits such as increased concentration, better voice function and quality and better overall well being.  Remember your body is 50-60% water, so drinking 6 to 9 glasses a day can help your body to function properly as well as reducing the chances of heat related health illnesses.
  • Take regular breaks out of the sun.  Too much exposure to the sun is bad for your health so taking regular breaks reduces that exposure.
  • Don't lay out in the afternoon sun, yes we have all heard the saying about "mad dogs and Englishmen".  Don't be fooled into believing that you can only get a good tan in the midday sun, morning and later afternoon sun are as affective if not more effective.
 

Pool Health and Safety

Whether swimming in the UK or abroad try to follow these simple steps to safe swimming.

  • Supervise your children when they are swimming, especially when there are no life guards.
  • Try not to leave your children unattended (even if there is a life guard).
  • Familiarise yourself with the pool and the area,
    • know how to contact the emergency service
    • where the nearest phone is
    • how deep the pool is
    • where the life rings are.
  • Adults, do not swim if you have been drinking alcohol.  It may seem like a good idea at the time but you do not know your limits when intoxicated and you will have less control over your actions.
  • Allow at least an hour for food to digest before swimming. 
  • Shower before going into a pool and after leaving where practical, this helps in stopping nasty health problems associated with swimming.
 
 
 
 

Barbecue Safety

Barbecues (BBQ) can present there own hazards; however following our simple advice can help to minimise these. 

  • Check your BBQ to ensure that it is in good working order. 
  • Safety checks before using any BBQ are essential. 
  • Place the BBQ on a flat surface away from trees, shrubs and sheds. 
  • If using a gas BBQ ensure that:
    • Tap is off before changing cylinder
    • Change cylinders outside
    • Use in a well ventilated area
    • When finished switch off the tap and release any residual gas by turning the control levers on the main BBQ on.
  • Keep buckets of water close by in case of an emergency.
  • Keep a first aid kit handy or know where one is kept, try to get some first aid training, not just for BBQ safety but for general day to day health and safety (at home and at work)
 

I hope that these tips are of use to you all this summer, just remember summer is about enjoying yourselves!  

Making sure you follow the summer safety tips will help you stay out of trouble, and stay at the beach or by the pool and not having a long wait at the local A&E!