The summer holidays will soon be here and thoughts will turn to family barbeques and days out. However, the summer can also bring some nuisances and dangers such as annoying bugs and sun burn. Summer is meant to be relaxing (for the kids at least) and the last thing you want is to be surrounded with children moaning about being hot and itchy for 6 weeks. So we spoke to the experts at Health Plus and came up with these 6 IDEAL tips for a health and safe summer holiday.
HAVE AN EMERGENCY BAG HANDY
If you’re planning to spend your time out and about in the sunshine, then it’s vital you’re sufficiently prepared and armed with a bag of summer essentials. This bag should include a metal or plastic (free from BPA) water bottle, a hat to cover little heads during the hottest hours of the afternoon and a bottle of sun cream (to be liberally applied throughout the course of the day) and a small first aid kit complete with antihistamines, alcohol wipes, and plasters for inevitable cuts and scrapes whilst playing outside.
STAY COOL AT NIGHT
Trying to sleep when it’s hot outside can be tricky, especially for little ones. Some easy ways to stay cool at night include draping a wet towel over an open window to bring down the room temperature, using light cotton bedding and having a cool shower before bed. You could even put all your families sheets in the fridge or freezer (in a plastic cover so they don’t get wet) as lying under freshly chilled sheets helps your temperature to drop into sleep mode. If that seems like too much work, why not fill a hot water bottle with ice water and place on the ‘cooling points’ of your body, such as behind your knees or ankles.
USE BUG-REPELLING NATURAL ESSENTIAL OILS
Using essential oils is a natural way to repel insects, and the two most effective oils are citronella and clove. Essential oils aren’t suitable for undiluted contact with the skin, so mix a few drops into a base oil or your body lotion and apply like a moisturiser for an effective, natural bug repellent. Citronella garden candles are handy to dot around the garden or home too.
REMOVE BUG ATTRACTORS
Standing water is a haven for mosquitoes to lay their eggs in. Look around your garden and, where possible, get rid of any gathered water in buckets, kids’ pools and gutters.
Read: Common summer pests and what to do about them
AVOID HOLIDAY TUMMY
Stomach upsets can ruin a holiday so check if you are safe to drink local water at your destination and always wash your hands. Stock up on ‘good tummy bacteria’ like probiotics before you go away and always carry some kids imodium – just in case.