Sunny side up

Stay out in the sun only if it's earlier than10.00am and later than 3.30p.m. At any other time whether the sun is shining or the sky is overcast, you should aim for shade, skin protection in the form of sunscreen or long-sleeved clothing. Don't assume that working in the open is any different from sitting on the beach. The sun is still strong and can cause immediate and long-lasting damage.

Drink, drink, drink

Drinking water (not alcoholic beverages or beer) is important to keep hydration to the maximum, especially on warmer days. Think of children and elderly people - as well as pets and other animals - as being especially susceptible to dehydration. Do not resist drinking for long stretches of time as this can lead to heat exhaustion, migraine and general malaise. You can partly replenish lost fluids with fresh fruits, especially juicier types.

Eyes right

UV rays are as damaging to your eyes as they are to your skin. Why squint against the sun and wind when you can wear sun protection in the form of a pair of good quality sunglasses? Choose your sunglasses well, not merely looking at their stylish shape, but more importantly at the level of sun protection they provide.

Protect your eyes at all times, especially during long days at the beach or the pool when continuous immersion in sea water or chlorinated water will irritate and dry out your eyes drastically. Remember that long exposure to hot barbecue fumes and flames can cause major irritation to the eyes. Avoid wearing contact lenses and if you are the chef at the grill, protect your eyes from smoke-induced stinging and smarting by wearing clear eyewear. Even swimming goggles will do.

Sting attack

Insect and jellyfish stings are more likely to happen when more skin is exposed. Arm yourself with a purposely created skin product to treat stings, which you can buy from a pharmacy. If you intend to use this product on a baby or an infant, make sure it is suitable for their young skin. Treat a sting immediately using warm seawater. Do not use bottled or cold water, nor ice packs, as these can actually increase the irritation by re-activating venom. Do not use vinegar or urine on the sting. A credit card is useful to scrape away jellyfish tentacles stuck to the skin.

In the case of bee or wasp stings, avoid rubbing the stung area. Instead, try to remove the sting. Again, a credit card or another plastic card can be used to sharply swipe away bee-stings from the punctured skin. Seek medical attention in case of infants or young children, especially if you notice an allergic reaction.»

Save your soles

While beach-combing cleaners will have seen to the sandy beaches and the removal of dangerous debris that can cause foot injuries, it is not uncommon to step onto something sharp, pointed or rusty hidden in the sand. Make sure each member of your family wears non-slip beach shoes that protect the soles from injury. Non-slip shoes are also helpful when clambering over rocks. Proper beach shoes will also save you from picking up nasty food diseases, so easily contracted from pool-sides. Cover up those soles to stay safe.

No man is an island

Don't swim out alone, especially when the sea is rough. This is particularly valid for tourists who step in to swim in the sea after only ever having swum in an indoor pool. Think before you dip. Swim where the locals swim. Dive only where others do because it's safe to do so. Keep close to shore. Be aware that sea currents can easily cause difficulties. These considerations can save your back in more ways than one.

Keep it cool, eat it fresh

Don't leave cooked food out of refrigeration for long. The heat can cause it to go bad quicker than you think. Upset stomachs and gastric flu are easily brought on by badly stored food, re-frozen food, and yesterday's fish and seafood.

Warm up, cool down

Remember that a car parked in the sun can heat up dangerously. If it's closed or locked, its inside temperature will rise sharply. Never leave a person, young or old, or an animal locked in a car parked in the sun.

Air-conditioning is good as long as you're not deep freezing everybody. Learn how to regulate your air-conditioning systems so they don't cause discomfort, illness, sore throats and bronchitis. Clean air conditioner filters professionally to avoid the growth of mould and of bacteria which can cause the deadly Legionnaire's disease.

Safe sex

Summer tends to increase people's libido. Summer romances do happen too. Either way, practice safe sex. Sexually transmitted diseases are accidents waiting to happen. Arm yourself with condoms and take all necessary precautions to keep safe. Keep in control, reduce your alcohol intake and avoid street drugs.

Starry nights

Romantic adventures are possible and what's more romantic than watching sunset from a beach? Less romantically, mosquitoes fly in to attack when the sun goes down. Air temperatures can drop quickly, and damp air feels unpleasant. Cover up, spray uncovered body parts with insect repellent and have sting soothing balms handy.

Bin it or take it home

Just don't leave your garbage on the beach. We've all seen it happen and we all know the consequences. Nobody enjoys walking on a beach strewn with empty bottles, crushed pizza boxes, filthy nappies and thousands of cigarette stubs.  Once the wind blows, everything ends up in the sea and then we complain we're swimming in a dump. Litter messes up our environment and harms sea and bird life. Respect others, respect nature. Teach children by example. Remember the maxim reduce, reuse, recyle, and bin your rubbish at the beach or take it home.›‹