As it gets warmer, enjoy the sun safely.

The best way to enjoy the sun safely and protect your skin from sunburn is to use a combination of shade, clothing and sunscreen. Children and teenagers might need a reminder or a helping hand, but setting a good example yourself is a great way to help them learn and get into good habits.

Remember that exposing your child to too much sun may increase their risk of skin cancer later in life. Sunburn can also cause considerable pain and discomfort in the short term.

Make sure that family visit to the farm stays fun!

If you’re out and about visiting farms, reminder to wash hands thoroughly after handling or petting animals. The rise in the number of cases of people, and particularly children between 1 and 5, at this time of year is linked in part with children handling animals and feeding lambs at petting farms.

Avoid unnecessary illness when visiting farms by making sure you wash hands thoroughly using soap and water after handling animals and before eating or drinking.  Maintaining good hand hygiene can help avoid illness and make sure you enjoy a fun day out.

When visiting petting farms, it is important to remember to:

• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you have touched animals, fences or other surfaces in animal areas
• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating or drinking
• remove and clean boots or shoes that might have become soiled, clean pushchair wheels and then wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
• supervise children closely to ensure that they wash their hands thoroughly
• eat and drink in picnic areas or cafes only

Remember - do not:

• put hands on faces or fingers in mouths while petting animals or walking round the farm
• kiss farm animals nor allow children to put their faces close to animals
• eat or drink while touching animals or walking round the farm - including not eating sweets, crisps or chewing gum
• use gels or wipes instead of washing hands with soap and water as they do not remove the germs found on farms

Child Safety

Child Safety Week ran from 1 – 7 June 2015 and is an annual campaign run by the Child Accident Prevention Trust to raise awareness of accidents involving the serious injury or death of children and how to prevent them. The week serves as a reminder that children are often involved in accidents as they are naturally inquisitive and easily distracted, which makes them less aware than adults of the dangers around them.  Injuries can happen any time of date or during any time of the year, so it’s best to be aware of potential dangers at all times. 

Be aware of Diabetes 

Diabetes is a common life-long health condition. There are 3.2 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and an estimated 630,000 people who have the condition, but don’t know it. Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose in your blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly.

About 90 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes. It can come on slowly, usually over the age of 40. The signs may not be obvious, or there may be no signs at all, therefore it might be up to 10 years before you learn you have it. It’s important to know the risk factors and find out your risk, because then you can do something about it. 

You are more at risk of Type 2 diabetes if:

• You’re overweight or have a high Body Mass Index (BMI)
• You have a large waist (more than 80cm/31.5 inches in women, 94 cm/37 inches in men or 90cm/35 inches in South Asian men)
•  You’re from an African-Caribbean, Black African, Chinese or South Asian background and over 25
•  You’re from another ethnic background and over 40
• You have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes
• You have ever had high blood pressure, a heart attack or a stroke
• You have a history of polycystic ovaries, gestational diabetes or have given birth to a baby over 10 pounds/4.5kg
• You suffer from schizophrenia, bipolar illness or depression, or you are taking anti-psychotic medication

Find out more.