{"id":13028,"date":"2022-10-26T22:40:45","date_gmt":"2022-10-26T22:40:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/highgrove.co.nz\/?p=13028"},"modified":"2022-10-26T22:42:20","modified_gmt":"2022-10-26T22:42:20","slug":"7-ways-to-stay-safe-and-keep-healthy-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/highgrove.co.nz\/7-ways-to-stay-safe-and-keep-healthy-this-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Ways to Stay Safe and Keep Healthy this Summer!"},"content":{"rendered":"
Spring is in the air and summer is on the way, which of course also means the festive<\/span> season is right on our front door too! And with so much going on (as well as a lot more time<\/span> spent outdoors) sometimes making choices to keep ourselves well and safe can skip our<\/span> busy minds.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So here\u2019s a few quick reminders on how to take care of yourself this summer season – while<\/span> saving room for fun (and a little dessert) too.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Get yourself a water bottle you like to drink from and make sure you take it with you every<\/span> time you leave the house. Dehydration can happen without you even realising, and can be<\/span> dangerous in older age (as well as for little ones too).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On average we should be drinking around 2 litres of water a day, and on extremely hot days,<\/span> this could be even more. Try to sip small amounts often and don\u2019t wait until you \u2018feel\u2019 thirsty<\/span> as this is often too late – you\u2019re already dehydrated by then.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We all know the rules of slip (on a shirt), slop (on some sunscreen) and slap (on a hat) but<\/span> you should also wrap on some sunglasses and make an effort to stay out of the sun\/keep<\/span> cool during the hottest times of the day.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As we move into summer it is also a great time to get spots and moles checked and also be<\/span> aware of any medicines you might be taking that might make <\/span>your skin more sensitive to<\/span> sunlight or increase your risk of sunburn after exposure to ultraviolet light.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As the temperature rises, it\u2019s a good idea to get your home ready for hotter days. You might<\/span> need to check that your fans are still working – as you don\u2019t want to wait for a humid night to<\/span> realise they have given up the ghost! You could also consider getting security stays for your<\/span> windows, allowing you air flow without compromising on safety (especially for when you<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>leave the house or in the evening).<\/span><\/p>\n Find out whether your air conditioning unit\/heat pump requires a service this year and do you<\/span> need someone to come and get Christmas decorations (or those fans) out of storage for<\/span> you?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You might need to move furniture that has been positioned in front of doors to outside that<\/span> don\u2019t get used in winter, and check for any yearly maintenance that needs to be carried out.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Summer is a great time for socialising and getting out and about, but it also means a greater<\/span> risk of falls and accidents. Of course that doesn\u2019t mean you should hide at home, but just try<\/span> to be as aware as possible when it comes to trip hazards, uneven ground, low furniture and<\/span> other things that could cause you to fall.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Staying safe and healthy over Christmas and summer also means be honest with yourself in<\/span> regards to your limits. It\u2019s better to be cautious than overdo it and consequently miss out on<\/span> things. So save gardening for first thing in the morning or cooler days, don\u2019t book social<\/span> outings or visitors close together – make sure to schedule in time to rest and re energise.<\/span> You\u2019ll feel all the better for it!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n From BBQs to picnics and dinners with family and friends, there are many occasions in<\/span> which we\u2019re eating food in different places, most often outdoors! But this can also increase<\/span> your risk of food poisoning, so it\u2019s always recommended that you follow the four C\u2019s of food<\/span> preparation – these are Clean, Cook, Cover and Chill. Have a clean surface for food<\/span> preparation, make sure you cook foods thoroughly, cover food if it is being left out to protect<\/span> it from bugs and insects, and put leftovers in the fridge as soon as possible.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Of course it is also important to reheat food properly and follow all storage instructions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With more on during the warmer months, planning ahead means you will always be<\/span> prepared if anything crops up unexpectedly. For example, know you have enough<\/span> medications to see you through for an extended period of time, check correct storage<\/span> (whether it needs refrigeration\/kept out of direct sunlight etc) and also ask your doctor what <\/span>to do if you miss a dose – which is always an easy thing to do if you\u2019re out and about or have<\/span> forgotten to take it with you to lunch.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Is there anyone who can clear your mail and check on your property if you\u2019re going to be<\/span> away for an extended period. Does your car have a current WOF and registration, do your<\/span> pets need to be booked into a cattery\/kennel and if so, are they up to date with vaccinations?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Writing a list of all these kinds of things is always helpful, as with the busyness of the festive<\/span> season and other things happening, it is easy to let things slip until the last minute! And that<\/span> can cause undue stress and worry.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Keep hydrated<\/b><\/b><\/h3>\n
Be sun smart<\/b><\/b><\/h3>\n
Prepare your home<\/b><\/b><\/h3>\n
Watch for trip hazards<\/b><\/b><\/h3>\n
Know your limits<\/b><\/b><\/h3>\n
Follow food safety guidelines<\/b><\/b><\/h3>\n
Plan ahead<\/b><\/h3>\n