As Melbourne gets ready to welcome beach weather and end of year celebrations, here are our top tips to help you stay safe during summer.
Sun protection
Skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer and with summer coming, remembering to protect ourselves from the sun becomes more important than ever.
Before heading out in summer, check to see if sun protection is required. Many online sources will give you accurate readings of UV indexes and if the UV index is at a 3 or higher, make sure your skin is protected.
UV radiation from the sun can have long-lasting effects, including:
- eye damage
- skin damage
- skin cancer
- sunburn
UV levels are often higher during the middle of the day, so it’s best to try save trips to the beach or park for early mornings and late afternoons.
Always remember to put on clothing covering as much skin as possible and to re-apply SPF30 sunscreen on any uncovered area of skin every two hours.
Beach safety
As the safety of a beach can change with waves, weather and wind, only visit beaches with lifesaving patrols and ensure your children know to only swim between the flags.
Children should also be taught to remain calm, float and raise an arm to signal for help from a lifeguard should they find themselves in trouble in the water.
Parents should keep constant supervision on children in and around water and encourage them to wear sandals or thongs to avoid cuts and injuries from items on the beach or the sting of the sand on excessively hot days.
Hiking
Melbourne summers can often provide beautiful hiking weather, so be sure to always have a first aid kit at the ready when you do.
If you are taking young children hiking, ensure you plan a distance appropriate for their age levels as young children will readily tire.
An appropriate distance guideline for young children is 1km for each year aged.
Other key things to remember include:
- Bring sunscreen
- Carry sufficient food and water
- Check weather forecasts for fire dangers
- Tell someone where you are going and when you will return
The ‘Silly Season’
The arrival of summer also brings with it the arrival of the ‘silly season’.
A name commonly given to the spate of end of year work parties and family celebrations often held, these parties will often involve alcohol and it can be easy for many to drink to excess.
Therefore, remember to drink water and eat consistently throughout your night and ensure you have a lift home.
The festive season can also be a difficult time for many who may be isolated or alone, so remember to extend invitations to your celebrations to those who may otherwise be by themselves.
December is the busiest time of year for emergency departments and Epworth Richmond provides a 24 hour Emergency Department staffed by a team of highly experienced nurses and doctors.
25 November 2019