6 tips for a safe summer.

1.        Slip, slop, slap, seek, slide

It’s no secret that the Australian sun can be harmful, and so practicing sun safety throughout summer is essential.

As you and your family enjoy some fun in the sun, don’t forget to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide: slip on a t-shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on some sunglasses!

2.       Splash around safely

There’s no better way to cool off during summer than going for a dip. If you and your family love spending summer days by the pool, lake or beach, please keep these water safety tips in mind:

Ensure an adult is always actively supervising children near the water.

If you have a backyard pool, always keep the gate closed.

Ensure children know not to engage in rough play such as dunking or pushing other people.

Put pool toys away – children often fall in the pool when reaching for toys.

Practice swimming and water safety skills while at the pool, beach or lake.

Ensure your child is wearing a flotation device if they are not a confident swimmer.

If you’re interested in enrolling your child in swimming lessons, Whittlesea Swim Centre hosts a GOswim Swimming and Water Safety School Holiday Program that runs during the summer school holidays. The program is open to all ages and helps students work on their swimming technique and water safety skills while enjoying fun activities.

3.       Stay hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is always essential, but it’s even more critical during warm weather. This summer, always keep a bottle of water with you to ensure you stay hydrated and healthy.

To make drinking water more fun for children, add fruit slices or berries to the water. Not only does it look pretty and taste nice, but the kids will also have a yummy treat to enjoy when they finish drinking their water!

4.       Check in with family

Throughout summer, parts of Victoria can experience extreme heat, which can really affect elderly individuals and people with compromised health. On very hot days, take extra care to check in with your elderly family members, to ensure they’re staying cool.

5.      Steer clear of snakes

This season, Australia is predicted to have increased rainfall due to La Nina, which can lead to abundant grass growth; an attractive environment for snakes. As a result, we encourage all families to be aware when walking in grassy areas. To minimise your likelihood of encountering or being bitten by a snake, avoid walking through long grass, and wear covered shoes and long trousers while walking through bushland.

Snakes generally bite humans when they feel threatened or provoked, so if you sight a snake, don’t approach it or try to move it. Steer clear and stand still to avoid aggravating it.

6.       Take rest stops on your road trips

For many families, summer is synonymous with road trips. As you and your family embark on your next summer adventure, watch out for fatigue when driving. RACV recommends the following:

Plan your rest stops to avoid fatiguing on long journeys.

Plan to stop for 15 minutes every two hours.

If possible, take turns driving. Also chat to the driver to keep them alert.

Don’t drive more than 10-12 hours a day, and don’t drive during the hours that you are usually sleeping.

Get 7-8 hours of quality sleep before driving.

Take a 15-minute power nap if you’re becoming drowsy.

You can find a map of Victorian rest stops here.

The team at Aspect wish you a safe and fun-filled summer!