Safe Summer Staycation

For many, the summer means vacation, whereas for others it means an extended time to relax at home with the family and enjoy themselves, especially if the sun is out! 

Vacations are a must for some, but a staycation seems to be the latest trend for others. You may be in your home country, but a bit of exploring never goes amiss!

Despite being at home in the UK it’s important to stay safe during the summer and to keep your family safe using necessary measures too. In this post, we highlight how you can stay safe at home during the summer whilst still having fun!

Sun Cream

Admittedly, here in the UK, we don’t get much sun, but when we do it can stick around for quite a while.

Now, we may be further away from the equator than the go-to holiday destinations for Britons, but even here, there is the risk of us burning from laying on the lounger in the garden sipping an ice-cold drink and turning the pages of our most recent read.

Applying sun cream before venturing outside is a must even if it looks overcast outside, whether you're sunbathing or out on an adventure day, sunburn can be just as bad here as it would be if you were aboard. By making sure the sun cream you use is a high SPF and has a high UVA star rating will help to ensure that you’re well protected in the sun.

If you’re lucky enough to have a pool to dip into, remember to reapply the sun cream after you’ve been for a dip – no sun cream is fully waterproof and post-swim can leave you unprotected from the sun.

If you do burn, applying after sun lotion or some Aloe Vera to the affected area will help soothe the skin, but be sure to stay in the shade to avoid any further damage to the area.

First Aid Kit

Whether you’re at home or on the other side of the world, there is a chance that accidents can happen. Having a first aid kit to hand will help ensure that you’re prepared for any minor injury and be able to help in the meantime with more major injuries. 

Depending upon what you’re doing during your staycation will help determine what you should pack in your first aid kit. The HSE recommends:

• First aid general leaflet
• Sterile, individually wrapped plasters
• Sterile eye pads
• Safety pins
• Medium and large, sterile, individually wrapped unmedicated dressings
• Disposable gloves

This is just a suggested list of contents; considering your activities for your staycation will help you determine what needs to be in your first aid kit so you’re prepared for almost every eventuality.

BBQ Burns

There’s nothing better than a good ol’ beef burger straight off the BBQ with a dollop of ketchup on the top! The smallest amount of sun means BBQ’s for Brits for one simple reason – the sun doesn’t greet us that often!

In all the excitement of the BBQ and the food, it’s not difficult for the appointed chef to burn them whilst serving up the food.

Depending on the severity of the burn, the required treatment will differ. A first-degree burn is a burn that affects the top layer of the skin and can usually be treated as a minor injury. For this type of burn, you should run the area under cool water for 10 minutes and then covered with a sterile, non-adhesive bandage or cloth.

Second-degree burns require similar treatments however the burn needs to be immersed water for 10 – 15 minutes, but if water isn’t available a compress should be used. It’s important to remember not to apply ice as this can reduce the patient’s body temperature and may cause further damage.

Second-degree burns can lead to shock, so if possible, lay the victim down on their back with their feet elevated 12 inches off the floor. If possible, the burn area should be elevated above the heart and the victim should be covered with a coat or blanket to avoid their temperature dropping.

For third degree burns, the EMS should be called immediately and unlike the other two burns they should not be soaked or immersed in cold water. You should cover the burn with a loose, non-sterile, non-stick bandage. If the burn covers a large skin area, a sheet or other materials that won't cause lint to gather in the wound would suffice.

Similarly, to second-degree burns, the victim should be laid down - if possible - and their feet elevated to avoid shock. If a facial burn has been sustained, the patient should be sat up right. You should also regularly check their pulse and monitor their breathing until the EMS arrives at the scene. 

Water Fight Frights

In the heat, there’s nothing wrong with turning on a sprinkler or even a hose pipe and having a water fight with the family.

But as the old saying goes: it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt – and sadly there’s a risk for that with water fights, for both children and adults.

Slipping on wet surfaces is something that’s easily done, but most us will know that the slip will probably leave a nasty bruise! But slipping in a certain way can lead to anything from a bruise all the way to a broken bone and the last thing you want during your staycation is a trip to the local A&E unit.

When you decide to leave the all-important water-fight, remember to dry off thoroughly and to put on some shoes that won’t slip on the surrounding wet surfaces.

Staycation Ready!

A staycation is something a bit different for families, but something that allows you to experience the sights that the UK has to offer.

Are you in the middle of planning your staycation? Have you considered any of our points in your planning? Head on over to our social media page @imptraining and share with us your staycation plans for this summer.