Discover essential tips to keep you and your loved ones safe and happy this summer. Get advice on medicine, first aid and minor injuries. Plus, how to stay cool in hot weather and handle seasonal conditions like hay fever.
Medicine and first aid
Make sure you have some over-the-counter medicines at home for common illnesses.
Consider including:
- paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief
- anti-histamines to help with allergies like hay fever
- anti-diarrhoeal medication and rehydration sachets for diarrhoea
- indigestion remedies like an antacid
- mild laxatives for constipation
- a thermometer to check for fevers
- medicines specifically for children
Your pharmacist can advise you on the best medicines for you and your family. Remember to always follow the advice on the pack and do not get too much as medicines go out of date.
It’s also helpful to carry a small first aid kit to help to deal with minor ailments, like cuts, grazes, and blisters.
Prescribed medication and travel
If you rely on regular medicine, remember to take this with you when you travel away from home, even if it’s only for 1 or 2 nights. You should check you have enough to cover your whole trip. If you need to order more, only order what you need and in plenty of time.
If you run out and your GP practice is closed, there are ways to get an emergency supply.
The accessing medicines self-help guide can help if you’re having difficulty getting the medicine you need.
Stay safe in the sun
It’s tempting to make the most of the outdoors when the sun comes out but it’s important to do it safely. Make sure you’re aware of the effects of the sun on your health.
Do
- stay hydrated by drinking plenty of cool fluids and water if the weather is hot – don’t wait to get thirsty
- put on sunscreen with at least SPF 30
- stay out of the sun when the sun’s rays are strongest (11am to 3pm)
- cover up by wearing loose clothing and hats
- protect babies and children by keeping them cool and out of direct sunlight
Preparing a barbeque
It’s important to follow food safety advice if you’re preparing a summer barbeque. This helps to avoid food contamination and food poisoning.
Do
- follow all instructions on food packaging
- be aware that some foods can be cooked directly from frozen, while others need to be defrosted in advance
- defrost meat thoroughly before cooking – ideally in your fridge
- cook food in the oven before finishing it on the barbeque to ensure it’s cooked all the way through
- turn food regularly to cook it evenly
- use separate utensils for raw and cooked meats
- heat foods until they’re steaming hot before eating
- keep meat and ready to eat foods , like salad and bread, separate
- wash ready to eat salad bags and all foods that can be eaten without peeling
Don't
- do not use a sauce or marinade for cooked food that’s also had raw meat in it
- do not wash uncooked meat
- do not eat hot foods that have been left out for more than 2 hours – particularly high-risk foods like cooked rice, meat, shellfish, milk and cream
Slush ice drink safety
Slush ice drinks, or ‘slushies’, can contain the ingredient glycerol. This is used as a substitute for sugar at a level needed to create the ‘slush’ effect.
Children aged 4 and under should not consume these drinks. Children aged 10 and under should not consume more than one of these drinks at a time.
Slush ice drinks have the potential to cause side effects like headaches and sickness. This is even more likely when the drinks are consumed:
- in large amounts
- alongside a lot of physical activity
- with no other food or sugary drinks
Avoiding bugs and germs outdoors
The summer months are an opportunity to get out and enjoy Scotland’s outdoor space. This can be brilliant for both your physical and mental health. But, a small number of people each year are affected by infections caught outdoors.
Further information on avoiding bugs and germs outdoors
Gardening
Wear gloves while gardening, especially if you’re handling compost. Legionella bacteria can be found in compost.
You could also consider wearing a mask if you’re working on anything dusty.
Remember to wash your hands when you’re finished in the garden.
Animals
Animals can carry germs like E.coli O157 and Cryptosporidium.
Wash your hands thoroughly if you have been in contact with farm animals or the environment where they’re kept. For example, gates, fencing or buildings.
Water
Drink clean water. Germs like E. coliO157, Cryptosporidium and Leptospira can contaminate lochs, rivers and burns (streams). These germs can be harmful if swallowed.
Make sure you have enough clean drinking water with you. If this isn’t possible, untreated water can be made safe to drink by boiling it or using chemical treatments.
Bites and stings
Tick bites are common in Scotland in the summer months. They’re usually found in areas with animals, like woods, parks and gardens. Ticks can carry the germ that causes Lyme disease.
Other common bites and stings in summer include those from sea creatures.
Open water swimming
Swimming in open water such as lochs, rivers, seas, and reservoirs has become very popular in Scotland. But, you should be aware of the risks of swimming in these areas and how to swim safely.
Right care, right place
If you need health and care advice this summer, it’s important that you know how to get the right care, in the right place.
Right care, right place has advice on how to access the correct local services in your area.