Awareness and First Aid

Planning to hit the beach or lounge around the pool this season? Raeesah Varachia, Branch Manager of ER24 Johannesburg West, has advice to keep you and your family safe.

Sun safety

Prolonged and unprotected sun exposure can lead to sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Risk of dehydration, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion also increases. To prevent these:

  • Apply sunscreen (minimum SPF 30) at least 15 minutes before going outside
  • Reapply every two hours, and more frequently after swimming or sweating
  • Try to keep out of the sun between 10am-4pm
  • Wear a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and wide-brimmed hat for extra protection
  • Never fall asleep in the sun
  • Ensure young children are in the shade when the sun is at its strongest as they’re particularly likely to become dehydrated.

Pool and still-water safety

  • Drowning happens quickly and silently. Every child’s access to water must be strictly monitored
  • Children and inexperienced swimmers should never be near water without supervision, and personal flotation devices, such as float suits and float jackets
  • Children in rural communities are particularly vulnerable to drownings in farm dams, rivers and streams
  • If you have a private pool, safety barriers like a fence and childproof gate are essential to prevent unauthorised access
  • Enforce a "no running" rule around the pool to prevent accidents
  • Don’t allow glass or bottles near the area
  • Signing up for a CPR course can save someone’s life.

Beach safety

Beach safety requires you to be aware, prepared, and responsible:

  • Only swim at beaches with lifeguards on duty
  • Avoid swimming alone
  • Be aware of the water conditions, including rip currents and tide changes. Rips are deceptive because the water looks calm between the currents. If you get caught in a rip current, try not to panic. Swim parallel to the shore until you escape the current's pull
  • Keep a safe distance from rocks, cliffs, and piers, as strong waves in these areas can be dangerous
  • Watch your children while they play in the sand – digging or tunnelling too deep could be dangerous if a sand structure collapses on them
  • Children’s beach toys should be age appropriate
  • Bright-coloured swimsuits are better for visibility in the water.

Food safety

What’s a summer holiday without a picnic at the beach or a braai around the pool? But follow these simple precautions:

  • To prevent food poisoning and other foodborne illnesses, keep food in a closed cooler box with ice packs
  • Wash your hands before eating
  • Don’t eat food that's been sitting out in the sun for too long
  • Save the beers and wine for when you’ve left the beach. Drinking alcohol can impair your judgment and co-ordination, which is particularly dangerous around water.