For many of us, the arrival of summer means a plethora of things to do: swimming, basking on the beach, road trips, barbeques, and generally enjoying the great outdoors. While most of the time, these activities are perfectly safe and fun, summers in Australia can get quite brutal and, as such, can pose potential health hazards and safety hazards.

Hence, allow us to help you be summer smart with our round-up of what to keep in mind so that you are prepared for the hot weather and water hazards to stay away from.

1. Stay Hydrated and Always Check the Heatwave Forecasts

Before heading outdoors for a hike, swim, or even road trip with your friends, do take the time to check the temperature and heatwave forecast for the day. In doing so, you’ll know what to expect, how to adjust your schedule, and plan for water breaks to avoid physical exertion to stay healthy and safe.

During the summer, your body tends to heat up faster than during the colder months. Hence, it is important to listen to your body when it is hot and to hydrate appropriately. For instance, when you feel yourself starting to perspire, replenish the liquid lost by drinking water, especially since excessive perspiration can increase your risk of dehydration. Furthermore, the combination of hot temperatures and dehydration can lead to serious heat-related illnesses or problems.

Some early signs of dehydration to take note of include feeling thirsty and having dry mouth. To minimise the risk of dehydration in the hot summer months, be sure to drink at least two litres of water a day.

2. Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion and Be Sun-smart

Heat exhaustion is often a result of physical exertion, high temperatures, and inadequate hydration. While it is not as severe as heat stroke, heat exhaustion is still quite serious and should be treated as soon as possible. Some symptoms to look out for include nausea, headache, muscle cramps, excessive sweating, lightheadedness, and a weak pulse.

Showing active sun safety during the summertime and throughout the year can significantly reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. Here are some things you can do to protect your skin and self from the sun during summer:

• Wear sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
•  Lather on broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF30 or higher. Use it 20 minutes before heading outdoors and every two hours afterwards. Do note that sunscreen should never be used to extend your time in the sun or outdoors.
• Wear a hat with a visor or broad brim to protect your face, head, and ears.

This doesn’t just apply on sunny days. An overcast summer day can still have similar UV levels to a sunny day. UV radiation does not only penetrate some clouds, it can also be more intense due to the sunlight reflecting its rays off the clouds.

3. Don’t Drink and Dive

Many people spend their summer days swimming at their local river or beach and . And drinking alcohol increases your risk of drowning by impairing your judgement, reducing your coordination skills, and delaying reaction time. As such, we recommend you not to drink when around water, swimming or taking a boat out. Stay safe and follow beach safety rules at all times.

4. Look After Your Food

When the weather gets warmer, it’s best not to leave your food out. For instance, Food Safety advises that perishable food should not be sitting out for more than 2 hours, and in hot weather like the summer months, food should not be left out for more than an hour. When heading outdoors for a barbeque, use a cooler bag to store food – avoid opening the cooler bag too much, as this may lead to the cool conditions escaping, and your food might go bad faster.

Be sure to cook different meats and foods on a separate part of the grill of your barbeque to avoid cross-contamination. Lastly, if you wish to keep leftover foods for later, remember to chill it instead of leaving it out as this can reduce the risk of bacteria growing and ensure that you remain healthy.

5. Use Insect Repellents

Insects enjoy the summertime and, thus, are more abundant in the warmer months. Some insect bites can be dangerous, so it is crucial to protect yourself during summer when you will be more prone to them. Here are  four easy ways to help you avoid getting bitten during summertime:

• Wear pants and long sleeves to reduce exposed skin.
• Avoid wearing bright colours and floral prints as this may attract insects like bees.
• Avoid using too many perfumes and scented soaps.
• Use insect repellents as an extra layer of protection. Avoid using bug zappers, as these tend to attract and kill more beneficial insects than pests.

In addition to safety tips for the summer, you can also visit our blog page to read our guides that’ll help make your international student life in Australia great. Alternatively, you can always become a part of the Y Suites family and make the most of your stay here in Australia! With three apartment buildings across Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, our affordable student apartments include amenities like barbeque pits, gyms, multi-purpose rooms, cinemas, and more. Contact us today to learn more about what our student housing offers.