Stay Safe in Hot Weather

Most of us welcome the hot weather but when it’s too hot for too long, there can be health risks. Here are some tips to keep safe in the sun:

• Spend time in the shade when the sun is at its strongest. In the UK this is between the hours of 11am & 3pm.
• Use at least factor 15 suncream – find out more about SPF ratings
• Drink plenty of cold drinks such as water or diluted fruit juice
• Babies less than 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight
• Infants should be kept out of the sun as much as possible
• Wear loose cool clothes
• Keep blinds and curtains closed during the day the keep the sun off the rooms
• Re-apply sunscreen after being in water

Dangers of swimming in open water

In the hot weather the temptation of jumping into cool open water might be there, but it can have deadly consequences. 

Swimming in open waters such as, lakes, rivers, ponds, canals and quarries is extremely dangerous and should be avoided.

• The water may look calm on the surface but there may still be strong undercurrents that could pull even a strong swimmer under.
• The water may also feel warm on the surface, but just a few feet below can be icy cold event in the hot weather and can very quickly cause cramp and hypothermia.
• People often misjudge their swimming ability, strength and stamina.