Sun, Sea and Sand Safety
Surf’s up, summer is finally here and South Africa’s annual migration to the coast has begun. But before you hit the beach, bear in mind our top safety tips for a trouble-free holiday.
Environmental hazards are naturally part and parcel of the summer holidays and often, in the heat of the moment, we tend to forget just how dangerous the outdoors can be – especially for our little ones.
Sun Safety
Basic sun safety is simple, as long as you play by the rules. The effects of ultraviolet B radiation can include, besides sunburn, immune system problems, cataracts, skin cancer and early ageing.
The sun is a very important health tool – it boosts our mood and naturally assists the body in producing Vitamin D, which aids calcium absorption – but we do need to treat the heat with respect.
Protect yourself and your family by applying a sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SFF) of 15 – and SPF 30 for children – around 30 minutes to an hour before you go outside. Make sure that the brand is water-resistant and always re-apply the cream, lotion or spray after swimming or if you have been rubbing the area with a towel or against clothes.
Wear hats in the sun and ensure that sensitive areas such as the neck, ears and shoulders are well-protected. Children should wear wetsuit-type swimming costumes or a t-shirt over their swimming gear. Stay in the shade as much as possible between 11h00 and 15h00 – a beach tent or umbrella is a great investment.
During summer, it is particularly important to drink plenty of liquids in order to avoid dehydration. This is crucial in younger children, so always carry sufficient water with you. Try to drink around 300 ml for every 10 kg of body weight and avoiding salty foods during the heat. Fruit is a great snack for the beach!
Sea Safety
While lounging on the beach, be aware of the ocean’s power and always choose an area that is between lifeguard flags and is protected by lifeguards.
Read safety signs, particularly those which warn about rip currents. You will find these signs at the entrance to beaches and if you are unsure, contact the local tourism or beach office for help in choosing the right spot for families.
No matter how strong a swimmer you are, do not swim alone. Make sure you have a “buddy” watching out for you and never allow your children to swim by themselves.
The first rule of thumb if you are in trouble in the water is to lift your arm in the air and shout loudly for help. One of the biggest dangers on the beach is a rip current. These run out to sea and can take you from shallow, safe water to well beyond your depth in a matter of seconds. You will find rip currents mostly in larger surf, but they may also lurk around piers, estuaries and river mouths.
How do you spot a rip current? Brown, discoloured water is the first clue (due to the sand being churned up); there will likely be foam on the surface; you may spot flotsam, jetsam, seaweed and other debris moving out towards the sea; and there may be a “rippled” spot of sea between calmer areas.
Teach your children how to deal with a rip current. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) golden safety rules are:
• Relax: Do not panic; stay calm and float on the water. Do not try to swim against the current, only across it if you can.
• Raise: Put your arm in the air, wave and shout loudly for help.
• Rescue: Float and wait for someone to help you. Panicking could cause you to drown.
The RNLI advises stronger swimmers to swim parallel to the beach until they are out of the rip current, before swimming in to shore.
Sand Safety
Do not be caught off-guard by tides. Check tides before you go to the beach and when you are walking along the sand, watch carefully to ensure that you do not get cut off by a high tide coming in rapidly. Bear in mind that tides can quickly engulf your children if they are trying to “dodge” waves. Keep them above the water line when they are playing and check regularly on how far the tide extends.
With sun sense and safety in mind, you are bound to have a beautiful holiday this year!
Story by Beth Cooper Howell
