Summer safety

Summer is here, and the hotter days bring increased health and safety risks. Please see the following advice from NSW Health about how you can protect yourself and your children this summer.

Sun safety

Sun exposure adds up over the day. It’s important for you and your children to use sunscreen every day, even if it’s cloudy. Apply 30 minutes before going into the sun, and remember to reapply every 2 hours or after you swim, shower or sweat.

Protect your skin in 5 ways:

• Slip on clothing that covers as much skin as possible
• Slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
• Slap on a broad-brimmed hat that covers the face, back of the neck and ears
• Seek out shade
• Slide on sunglasses that meet the Australian standard for UV protection.

Visit Sun safety for more information.

Heatwaves

Extreme heat or heatwaves are periods of unusually hot weather. In Australia, heatwaves are our deadliest natural hazard.

Keep cool on hot days by:

• staying inside as much as possible
• drinking plenty of water
• closing curtains and blinds to block out the sun
• limiting physical activity to early in the morning
• taking cool showers.

Visit Beat the heat for more tips to stay safe during hot weather.

Mosquito bites

Mosquitos can transmit serious diseases. Avoid mosquito bites:

• Spray up using a repellent.
• Cover up using loose, long-sleeved clothing and covered footwear and socks.
• Screen up and install fly screens on all doors and windows around your house.
• Clean up any containers with still water around your backyard (including toys and pet water bowls), as these are where mosquitos breed.

Japanese encephalitis is a rare but serious illness spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. If you live, work or travel to an area where there is risk of the virus, speak to your GP or pharmacist about a free JEV vaccine.

Prevent bites and stings

Some Australian animals can give painful or dangerous bites and stings. You might come across one at the beach, bushwalking or even in your home. It’s important to be alert.

• Marine bites and stings – prevent and treat bites and stings from marine animals.
• Spider bites – identify and avoid Australia’s common venomous spiders.
• Snake bites – treat and manage snake bites.
• Tick bites – learn the signs and symptoms of tick bites.

If you or your child is bitten or stung, stay calm and act quickly:

• find a lifeguard or call the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26
• call Triple Zero (000) for emergencies like a snake, blue-ringed octopus or funnel web spider bite.

Be prepared for emergencies

Summer often means more bushfires, floods and severe storms. Preparing early can help keep you and your family safe.

• Download the Hazards Near Me app for emergency warnings and advice for fires, floods and tsunamis in NSW.
• Visit NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) for bushfire planning and preparation for your home.

You can get free health advice 24/7 from a registered nurse by calling healthdirect on 1800 022 222. They can find you a nearby doctor, pharmacist, urgent care service or connect you to specialist virtual care. In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).