From nasty bites to hidden water hazards – how to avoid disaster striking on your summer holiday
SCHOOL’S out and it’s time to pack up and head off on an adventure.
But whether you’re jumping on a plane or enjoying a staycation, we have your safety covered. Because there’s nothing more likely to spoil your holiday than illness or injury.
From sunburn to mozzie bites, food poisoning to more serious swimming pool hazards, it pays to be prepared.
To save you the hassle, Clare O’Reilly, Lynsey Hope and Eliza Loukou have spoken to experts and compiled the ultimate guide, with tips, tricks and a handy shopping list, to ensure you don’t miss any essentials.
THE paddling pool’s filled up, the cozzies are out and the beach trip is booked — it’s time to cool down and make a splash.
With temperatures in the UK this summer forecast by the Met Office to break records, lidos are expecting to be their busiest ever and crowds are already flocking to beaches, rivers and lakes to chill out and enjoy the water.
Sadly, though, more than 300 Brits die from accidental drowning every year — and there are more fatalities inland than at the coast.
So, when accessing any kind of water, here or abroad, safety is paramount.
Here, Dr Zoe Watson, a GP and founder of wellgoodwellbeing.com, flags up some common hazards to look out for . . .
SLIPS & TRIPS: Slips are less common in open water, as there tends to be grass, gravel or sand at the water’s edge, but paddling pools are made of plastic and poolsides can be hazards. If you or the kids are getting in or out of a paddling or swimming pool, walk, don’t run. Make sure you place your feet firmly on the ground beneath you.
COLD WATER SHOCK: This happens when your body isn’t used to cold water. It is the shock response that causes a sharp intake of breath and gasping. As you enter the water your heart rate and blood pressure spike. Breathlessness isn’t a problem on dry land but in water you can hyperventilate, breathing in water and quickly finding yourself in a drowning scenario. When entering water, do it in a place that’s shallow, where you can put your feet down, rather than jumping straight into deep water. That way, if you experience cold water shock, you can stand up and breathe deeply until your breathing is back under control.
HYPOTHERMIA: There are five stages of hypothermia, from mild to irreversible, but as a general rule of thumb I’d say when you don’t feel cold any more, it’s time to get out. Symptoms can include confusion, sleepiness, fumbling hands, shivering and not shivering, and slow reactions. If you suspect hypothermia — when core body temperature drops below 36C — get out straight away and warm from the core of the body, slowly. Get a warm drink, get out of wet clothes, put a blanket on. Anything past the first two stages of hypothermia can be fatal, so seek medical help if you’re unsure.
CRAMPS: These can occur in cold water as your body hasn’t had time to warm up and muscles contract when cold. Being incapacitated and in pain in water can render even the most competent swimmer helpless. They’re most common in the legs and feet, so enter the water slowly and acclimatise before you start to swim.
AFTER DROP: Even when you get out of the water, your body continues getting colder for around 20 minutes. This isn’t an issue if you got out feeling fine but if you got out feeling cold and showing slight hypothermia symptoms, they’ll soon get worse thanks to the “after drop”. It’s something even experienced swimmers can get and can carry on for as long as 40 minutes. Warm up slowly. Stand on a towel as you change, put layers on and get a warm drink. Sugar can increase body temperature slightly, so biscuits might help.
DROWNING: In worst case scenarios, this is a possibility. The NHS says: “If someone is in difficulty, don’t enter the water unless it’s safe to do so. Don’t put yourself at risk. Once someone has been rescued, you need to check if they’re breathing. Ask someone to call 999 for medical help. If they’re not breathing, open the airway and give five initial rescue breaths before starting CPR.” Visit St John Ambulance for advice on starting CPR at sja.org.uk.
Six common insect bites and how to treat them
AS it’s revealed that clicks on the NHS’s insect bites and stings webpage have tripled already this summer, we explain how to tell them apart.
Prof James Logan, at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says: “Everyone reacts differently, and people can have nasty reactions.” If you fall victim, remove any sting in the skin, wash with soap, elevate and apply a cold compress. Don’t scratch, or burst blisters, to avoid infection. Avoid resorting to home remedies such as vinegar.
Ask a pharmacist about anti-itching cream or antihistamines. Contact a GP or 111 if symptoms last a few days or worsen, if you’re stung or bitten in your mouth, throat or near your eyes, if 10cm or more around the bite is red or swollen, or you have signs of infection – pus, swelling, fever or flu-like symptoms.
Dial 999 if wheezing or you have breathing or swallowing trouble, a swollen face, mouth or throat, nausea, fast heart rate or dizziness.
LIFEGUARDS patrol lidos and swimming pools across the country. But when it comes to open water, not every beach in the UK has them and inland water isn’t covered at all, so stay safe with these tips . . .
PICK YOUR SPOT: Outdoor swimming coach and open-water lifeguard Rowan Clarke says: “Pick a safe spot where lots of people swim. Find out about tides, water quality and local laws. Look for local Facebook groups, websites and signs for information. Strong currents, tides, underwater objects, bad water quality and algae are all things to watch out for.”
DON’T GO ALONE: Kate Rew, author of The Outdoor Swimmers’ Handbook, recommends making sure someone is with you. She says: “Experienced swimmers often go alone, but as a newbie you will almost certainly want a friend with you or on the shore. If you don’t know anyone who wants to swim, there are wild-swim groups all over the country to join.” See outdoorswimmingsociety .com/uk-wild-swimming-groups.
WATCH YOUR KIDS: Rowan says: “Kids get cold more quickly than adults and may be bad at telling you they’re cold because they’re having so much fun. Keep them within reach and watch them at all times. Stay in your depth so you can touch the bottom and support them.” For free downloadable water safety resources, visit rlss.org.uk.
Ask Dr Zoe: All you need to know about sun cream
WE all know the drill. Sun cream stops you burning and reduces risk of skin cancer. But charities warn that cases of the most deadly form, melanoma, are on the rise, with 16,700 new ones each year.
Experts warn that common misconceptions about sunscreen could be to blame for this.
Dr Charareh Pourzand from Bath University warns we must get in the habit of wearing sun cream at home as well as abroad.
And it’s not just necessary when on a beach or in the garden.
She tells Sun Health: “Just ten minutes of driving without any protection can have a damaging effect.”
She recommends SPF 50+ for lighter skin tones and an absolute minimum of SPF 30 for those with darker tones.
Check sun cream has a UVA protection of at least four out of five stars, or has a circle around UVA on the packing to show it meets EU standards.
Another common mistake is simply not wearing enough.
The NHS advises that adults aim to use about six to eight teaspoons, to cover their entire body.
Make sure you reapply every two hours and always after you’ve been in water, whether or not it claims to be water-resistant. And watch out for commonly missed areas such as your ears, neck, feet and the backs of your hands.
Take extra care with your children, covering their skin with suitable clothing and keeping them in the shade from 11am to 3pm, and keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight completely.
Here, we pick out a selection of sun creams that won’t break the bank . . .