With summer fast approaching and beaches soon to be filled up with holiday-goers, it’s important you are aware of or are reminded of the safety precautions we should all take to stay safe at the beach.
With more than 80% of residents in Australia living on the coastline, it is only natural that we all flock to the beach on a hot day.
SLIP SLOP SLAP has been one of Australia’s most popular and successful campaigns since the 80’s to promote sun and water protection to the public.
Here is what you need to know…
SLIP
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, so slip on a shirt if you are sensitive to sunlight or notice that you are getting burned. Sun burn can cause melanoma and this is something that you should be wary of.
SLOP
Always wear sunscreen when outside. In fact, it is recommended by skin professionals that everyone should be wearing SPF, especially on their face, every day even if it is not particularly sunny. After all our skin is the largest organ on our body.
SLAP
Wear a hat or head garment to protect yourself from getting overheated or experiencing sunstroke. Keeping your head cooler, and your face protected will also reduce the signs of ageing.
SEEK
Ensure you find shade when temperatures get too high. Australian heat temperatures can rise to extortionate levels, particularly in late December and early January. So take an umbrella to the beach with you or make sure you are close to a café or shaded area that you can seek shelter in when needed.
SLIDE
Have some sunglasses handy to protect your eyes from the sun and UV rays. Investing in proper polarised sunglasses are a great way to reduce glare and make it easier to see on those bright sunny days.
SWIM
Make sure that if you’re swimming in the sea that you keep between the flags. Lifesavers put up flags on the beach to show where it is safe to swim. The yellow and red flags are a guideline of where lifesavers would like you to stay, so you don’t get caught in a rip. Rips are where water is quiet on the top but a dangerous current is dragging you out from underneath. It is essential to swim between these flags, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.
Ozford encourages safety in and out of school campus and want to ensure that fun is had but also that precautions are taken seriously. As we are centrally located, most of our students like to enjoy the sunshine in Flagstaff gardens, across the road. If you decide to go and enjoy the sunshine there, some of these rules will still apply.