After a week of rain, the weather promises to be warm and sunny for the rest of the week. And hopefully for the rest of the summer. We are a few weeks into the summer holidays, we may have a new summer routine or may live each day following our own rhythms and the weather.
In addition to being safe around water and the sun, it is easy to forget the rest. But health & safety should be at the top of the list: accidental injuries are one of the leading health problems in developed countries such as Switzerland. Why is it important for us expats in Switzerland? According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (highlighting my own):
- Most accidents happen between late afternoon and early evening, in the summer, during school holidays and at weekends
- Factors such as stress, death in the family, chronic illness, homelessness or moving home increase the likelihood of the child having an accident
- Some happen when the usual routine is changed or when people are in a hurry
- Distractions and inadequate supervision are often the cause of accidents
- Poor housing and overcrowded conditions lead to increased numbers of accidents
- Some accidents are caused by lack of familiarity with surroundings, for example, when visiting friends or relatives, or in holiday accommodation.
I have highlighted in each of the six points what is relevant to us expatriates and in the summer — and well.. I highlighted something from each of the points!
So what can we do? An obvious one is to stay vigilant at home, en route, and at your final destination. “It won’t happen to me” is not an attitude to take. It could. Moreover, as parents, no matter the age of our children, we should not only be aware of our own actions, but we should also ensure our children are well supervised. Children are inquisitive, love horseplay, have immature reactions to stress, love attention, and are less experienced so cannot anticipate or mitigate against an accident, so are more likely to wind up in precarious situations compared to adults. And in the hot sun and around water and fire (think outdoor BBQs and campfires), recipe for disaster! I’m sure many a reader has a story to tell, some which now bring laughs (but could have brought catastrophe) and others which actually do remind us of hardship.
Another thing to do is be prepared! This means know what to do in case an accident happens. It’s a bit late now to take courses, but in the future consider workshops held by HealthFirst & Healthy & Safe Away from Home, two organisations that offer First Aid & CPR Courses to parents, carers, others, IN ENGLISH, in Switzerland.
And don’t forget fire safety & your fire extinguisher! A fire should never be left unattended, but even attended a candle can be knocked over causing a fire (campers beware!). If you are around fire, a fire extinguishers is a good idea and can be found in most hardware stores (Brico-Loisirs) or through online safety shops such as mompreneur-run website familysafety.ch. Fire safety can also be discussed with your children; government organisations such as the US’s FEMA has tips & tricks online showing families how to prepare.
And finally for safety are water safety and sun safety. Summers in Switzerland are hot. Heat waves (la canicule) are common. Exercise common sense when out in the sun: hats and loose-fitting clothes for adults and kids alike and avoid midday sun if possible (read more). And as an alpine country in the middle of Europe there are lots of waterways, tributaries and lakes and we are only a few hours drive or flight from the sea. Lifeguards are often there but they are not babysitters, so keep your children in your sights and set up swimming buddy systems (only in the water if your friend/sibling with you). And remember: lifeguards intervene AFTER a disaster has already struck, supervision is preventative. And finally, if you are on a personal boat, wear a life-jacket. The cold water after sitting in the hot sun, even if you know how to swim, can be shocking and debilitating.
Stay safe this season!
This blog post first posted in the Winter of 2014, edited July 2014 as a summer edition.