Staying healthy and safe outdoors

It's very good for your health to get outside in the fresh air and get active.

But you need to take care, especially during hot or cold weather.

When you're out and about make sure you look after your health and stay safe, whatever the weather.

Be Sun Smart

If you're out working, walking, partying or doing sports in sunny weather, it's easy to forget that you need to take care to avoid heat exhaustion, sunstroke, and sunburn. If you're going to be out in the sun:

• Drink plenty of water (not sweet drinks)
• Cover up your head and shoulders
• Take regular breaks, in the shade

Children and young people who get sunburned regularly have an increased risk of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. Make sure you're protecting yourself by avoiding sunburn:

• Stay in the shade during the hottest part of the day (11am-3pm)
• Cover up with shirts, hats, shades
• Use factor 15+ sunscreen

Respect the Rivers

Oxfordshire is a county full of rivers. Footpaths, towpaths and bridle-ways all run alongside Oxfordshire's rivers and canals. They are used every day of the year by people commuting, fishing, or just hanging out and having fun.

But, to enjoy rivers and canals safely, you need to take care:

• Cold water can kill. Don't go into the water in winter or bad weather.
• Don't cycle or walk along flooded towpaths, or through flooded meadows.

For people wading or jumping into rivers sudden changes of depth, murky water and fast currents are serious risks. You're also at risk of injury from unseen objects under the water, infection by dirty water, and becoming chilled (even on a warm day).

Cold and wet? Sort it out!

Even in summer, getting cold and wet can leave you in lots of trouble, especially if you're out overnight or in bad weather. If you're out working, walking, partying or doing sports in bad weather, it's important not to get too chilled.

Keep yourself warm:

• Cover up after sports or work
• Change out of wet clothes where possible, or pile on more layers
• Keep your feet dry and your head covered

Sometimes your body is less able to deal with the stress of being cold, and getting cold can be very dangerous. Getting warm and dry is very important if:

• You are ill or very tired
• You have been drinking or taking drugs
• You have been cold for a long time

Snow and Ice? take extra care!

Snow is fun, but also cold and slippery. Usually wrapping up warm is enough to keep you safe. Pile on the layers, and remember to wear thick socks, waterproof shoes, gloves and hats. Check your mobile is charged and has credit.

Don't travel far from home, take care on slippery streets, and avoid rivers, streams and ditches. Do not try to walk on iced ponds and lakes. Plan journeys, and know where you can take shelter.

If you do get wet or cold, don't delay. Find shelter and warm up. This is especially important if:

• Your clothes are wet
• You are ill, hungry, thirsty, or very tired
• You have been drinking or taking drugs

Cold can kill

Cold weather can kill. Exposure, hypothermia and accidents claim lives every year. Symptoms of hypothermia include violent shivering, clumsiness, falling over, slurring your speech and becoming angry or irrational.

Alcohol increases the danger of hypothermia, and the symptoms are easy to confuse with being drunk. Don't drink in the cold.

Take sensible precautions

If you need to travel, check that your buses or trains are still running. Avoid going out in a car, especially if snow is still falling. Remember that snow can quickly get worse, so where possible avoid travelling at all.

If you have to travel, take extra clothes, a blanket, food and drink, and a fully charged mobile phone so you can keep your family updated if you get delayed or stuck. Remember that emergency services may not be able to help as quickly in bad weather. Be prepared for delays.

Links

These websites will help you find health advice and services:

• Sunsmart
  Advice about sun safety from cancer research
• Wow4water
  River site aimed at younger children
• www.river-swimming.co.uk Information about river swimming
• www.go4awalk.com/wellbeing Safety advice for walkers

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