In part one, we saw lots of common threats to us that lurk around in the British summertime. In this part, we’ll see some more common threats, as well as some more rare things you should look for when going abroad.
6. Splinters/puncture wounds. If you walk around barefoot a lot, especially on beach boardwalks and other paths, you might get a splinter or something stuck in your foot. If it’s small and easy to get out, then you can pull it out (at the same angle it went in) using a pair of tweezers that have been boiled for over 5 minutes. This is important as it sterilises the tweezers, making sure no other bacteria enter the wound in your skin.
7. Jellyfish. Many have been spotted along the coast of the UK at this time of year. They don’t attack, but if you brush against their tentacles then you’ll probably get stung. Some jellyfish wounds are worse than others. If you do get stung, rinse the wound with seawater, and then when you get home soak it in hot water for a long time. Ask at the beach office if you’re in any doubt.
8. Thunderstorms. We’ve recently had a megastorm in the UK, and although it’s exciting, lightning strikes can cause trees to fall and electricity shocks. If in a thunderstorm, go indoors, and don’t hang by trees. If you’re in the middle of nowhere, the best thing to do is to squat on the ground, but minimise your contact with the ground as much as possible – so balance on your tiptoes! However, it’s very unlikely that this will happen in the UK, but look out for this in places that have more dramatic climates.
9. Ear infections. Because we often go swimming in the summer, this might put us at an increased risk from an ear infection. These are caused by water left behind in our ears, and you should always make sure to dry yourself thoroughly after swimming. You could also wear a swimming cap to prevent water from getting into your ear. As well as preventing ear infections, drying yourself from head to toe after a swim can prevent athlete’s foot, as well as other problems related to warm, damp areas. A warm and damp area is a good place for bacteria to multiply, so that’s why it’s important to keep dry.
10. We all love a good barbeque in summer, but it’s important to be careful when using one. Firstly, watch out for spitting oil, as this can cause burns. Make sure you cook meat thoroughly, especially chicken. You can cut into a piece of meat to see if it’s been done the whole way through. It’s definitely better to overdo it than underdo it. Picnics are great too, but keep your food in cooled containers like iceboxes or cool bags. Keep it away from insects, as they can transmit germs.
This advice isn’t meant to scare you, only to make you aware of the simple and easy things you can do to prevent your summer’s day being ruined. It takes only a few seconds to apply sunscreen, and you can go and play until your heart’s content! After all, nobody wants to come back from a day outdoors with a peeling sunburn and mosquito bites everywhere.
Image from: http://www.chinadailyasia.com/news/2013-07/04/content_15077042.html
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