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Summer Safety: it’s the little things that count

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of the summer ahead and overlook the small, yet incredibly important things that make a big difference to our safety. Taking a few simple precautions can help ensure that your summer is not only fun, but safe. From staying hydrated and wearing sunscreen to keeping an eye on your surroundings and following basic safety guidelines, it’s often the little actions that prevent the biggest problems.

Be smart about swimming

Drownings are a serious but preventable risk. Recent reports show that Māori and Pasifika people have higher than average drowning risk in Aotearoa. Simple safety steps, like swimming with a buddy, wearing life jackets, and learning water skills, can help save lives.

Remember that little ones can get into trouble quickly – even in shallow water. so they should always be within arm’s reach of an adult. Keep your focus on them at all times (no phones, no distractions), make sure they’re wearing proper flotation devices, and choose swimming spots with lifeguards whenever possible. Remember: children don’t splash or shout when they’re in danger — they go silent. Staying close, alert, and engaged is the best way to keep them safe while they enjoy the water.

Swimming alone increases your risk if you get tired, cramp, or caught in a current. A buddy can call for help or assist in an emergency.
Signs are placed for your safety. They warn about strong currents, deep water, hidden rocks, and unsafe swimming zones. Always read them — they’re there for a reason.
Rips can pull even strong swimmers out to sea. Look for: deeper/darker water, a calm patch with fewer breaking waves, or water flowing back out. Knowing the signs keeps you safer.
Alcohol affects your coordination, balance, and judgment. It’s linked to many preventable drownings. Stay sober when you’re in or near the water.
Drowning can happen silently and in seconds. Active supervision – not phones, not distractions — is the strongest protection for kids around water.
Boats, jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards can flip unexpectedly. A life jacket greatly increases survival chances – especially in rough water or strong currents.

Keep drama out of the kitchen

Food is at the heart of the festive season, bringing whānau and friends together. Preparing the food itself brings opportunities for creating lasting memories – both good, and bad. ACC reported that over 4141 claims were made during the 2023-2024 holiday season for baking, barbecuing and carving alone.

Let’s make good memories this summer, and have a little more caution when it comes to our meals. Simple precautions, like using oven mitts, handling knives carefully, keeping children away from hot surfaces, and cleaning up spills promptly, can prevent accidents and keep everyone safe.

Meat left on the bench can enter the “danger zone” (5°C–60°C) where bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter can double every 20 minutes. Thawing in the fridge keeps it at a safe temperature.
BBQs and utensils can hold leftover food particles and grease that harbour bacteria. Pre-cleaning helps prevent cross-contamination and reduces the risk of stomach bugs.
Your hands can carry bacteria from raw meat to cooked food, surfaces, and even fresh produce. Handwashing reduces the risk of foodborne illness by removing germs before they spread.
Undercooked meat can contain dangerous bacteria such as E. coli, Listeria, and Campylobacter. Cooking meat to the right internal temperature kills these pathogens, making it safe to eat.
Alcohol affects coordination and reaction time, increasing the risk of burns, fires, and undercooked food – which can carry harmful pathogens if not cooked properly.
At temperatures above 5°C, harmful bacteria multiply rapidly. Keeping foods cold slows bacterial growth and helps prevent food poisoning – especially important in summer heat.

Mr Golden Sun

Hot summer days can quickly lead to dehydration or heatstroke. Drink plenty of water, take breaks in the shade, and avoid prolonged exposure during peak heat hours (10 am–4 pm). Light, breathable clothing helps your body stay cool, and watching for signs of dizziness or nausea in children and elders can prevent serious health issues.

It takes less than 15 minutes to get sunburnt, and during summer when being outdoors is all the rage, it’s easy to forget to protect your skin. New Zealand has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, caused by overexposure to UV radiation – i.e. the sun. Taking a few minutes to be sunsmart can help protect your skin and reduce your risk of skin cancer in the long run.

The sun’s UV rays are strongest between 11am–4pm, increasing your risk of sunburn and skin damage.
Staying hydrated prevents dehydration and heat exhaustion, especially on hot, sunny days.
Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating.
Temperatures inside a parked car can rise rapidly, causing serious heatstroke or even death in minutes.
Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headache, rapid heartbeat, or confusion – seek shade and cool down immediately.
Lightweight, breathable clothing keeps you cool and long sleeves or UPF fabrics protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

Don’t let your holiday end on the road

Summer is a time for road trips, beach drives, and family outings – but it’s also one of the busiest and most dangerous times on New Zealand roads. Hot weather, increased traffic, and fatigue can lead to more accidents. Drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians all need to stay alert. Simple precautions like wearing seatbelts, avoiding alcohol, and taking breaks can make every journey safer. Staying vigilant and prepared can help ensure your summer travels end on a high note.

The sun’s UV rays are strongest between 11am–4pm, increasing your risk of sunburn and skin damage.
Driver fatigue contributes to around 20% of serious crashes. Stopping every 2 hours helps reduce fatigue-related risk.
Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death by 45–50% for front-seat passengers and 25–75% for rear-seat passengers in a crash.
Correctly fitted child restraints reduce the risk of fatal injury by up to 90% in infants and by up to 70% in young children.
Before you head off, check your WOF and rego. A roadworthy vehicle helps protect everyone on the road and supports safer journeys for you and your family.
Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines (including antihistamines and pain relief) can cause drowsiness or slower reaction times. Check labels or speak to your GP or pharmacist.

As summer continues, it’s important to stay on top of your health while enjoying the warmer weather. Whether it’s managing summer allergies, staying hydrated, getting travel vaccinations, or booking a routine check-up, our team is here to support you and your whānau. Southpoint Family Doctors is open from 5 January, and we welcome patients to book appointments early to avoid the post-holiday rush. Your health doesn’t take a summer break-and neither do we.