Although the weather may have other ideas, we wanted to share our lowdown of tips this summer to ensure you stay safe when the sun is shining and make the very most of North Ayrshire’s vibrant green spaces and coastal locations over the holidays.
Protect yourself from the sun
Did you know that you can burn in the UK even when it’s cloudy? Although often desirable, a tan does not protect you from the harmful effects of the sun. Use at least factor 30 sun protection and check out the UV index on your smartphone weather app (if you have one) to better understand what protection is required and when.
Visit NHS Inform for more info to protect yourself from the sun. Although, try not to seek too much shade either, as you want to strike the balance between protecting yourself and getting enough vitamin D.
UVA and UVB rays from the sun can also be harmful so don’t forget to protect your eyes too. Do this by wearing sunglasses or a protective sunhat. Read the article from RNIB for further summer eye protection tips.
Stay hydrated
If we are lucky enough to have a scorcher this summer, don’t forget that the warmer the weather is outside, the more likely you are to sweat and it’s important to replace this loss of fluid by drinking more water than usual.
So, as well as the normal recommended 6-8 glasses day, keep topped up by having an extra bottle of water on the go.
Not getting enough fluids can cause dehydration – the NHS Inform website has more info on the risks of dehydration.
Be aware of your surroundings
As a Council, we believe that everybody should feel safe and secure in North Ayrshire and not suffer from anti-social behaviour, nuisance or harassment. Members of the public are therefore encouraged to report anti-social behaviour this summer.
Being proactive will keep the community safe and help everyone to have the most enjoyable summer that they possibly can at home and in their local surroundings. For more information on how to report antisocial behaviour locally, visit the Council webpage or call Police Scotland directly on 101.
Be careful around water
Latest research has shown that in the last year, recreational activities such as time spent in coastal water has accounted for 58% of accident fatalities (National Water Safety Forum 2023).
Therefore as part of this year’s Safer Shores campaign, we are sharing some simple advice when it comes to staying safe around water.
Remember to:
- Keep a safe distance from the water’s edge;
- Respect the water;
- Know the hazards and identify the risks;
- Strong currents can rapidly sweep inflatables and people using them out to sea so it’s best to leave them at home;
- If you see anyone in difficulty phone 999 and ask for Coastguard at coastal locations, and Fire & Rescue at inland waters.
The purpose of the multi-agency Safer Shores initiative is to safeguard members of the public and others visiting the Ayrshire coast during ‘beach season’ – get more info in the Latest News article.
Download the Royal Lifesaving Society UK’s helpful brochure for water safety tips all year round.
Safer Shores is a partnership involving Ayrshire Civil Contingencies Team, British Red Cross, British Transport Police, Coastwatch, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, North and South Ayrshire Councils, Police Scotland, ScotRail, Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue and Stagecoach.
Reduce waste where you can this summer
Support your local area by buying local where you can for ingredients, and use your own washable containers or reusable food bags to decant summer picky bits, sandwiches and fruits/salad to cut down on any unnecessary packaging.
You will also be a big help to our Streetscene team if you take your own litter home with you rather than filling the public bins unnecessarily. Remember no litter should be left behind as this is not only unfair for other visitors, it can cause problems for local wildlife too.
Keep North Ayrshire Beautiful
We are fortunate enough to have some of our county’s most spectacular outdoor spaces, here for everyone to enjoy, make memories and appreciate the great outdoors.
Watch the video below from North Ayrshire Ranger Service, Streetscene and our network of community partners on how you can take responsibility this summer for your waste and keep our beautiful local surroundings looking their best.
Have a lovely summer everyone!
Whether you’re going for a walk outdoors, spending time in nature, enjoying a picnic by the coast or exploring new locations locally, visit the Scottish Outdoor Access Code website for all the info you need to make sure that you respect our wildlife and environment this summer.