August Promotion
As part of Health BOCS, the Brothers of Charity Services’ health and wellbeing programme, throughout August we will be promoting Sun Care and BBQ Safety.
Sun Care
We all need some sun exposure. When skin is exposed to the sun, our bodies make vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones.
Do not rely on sun cream along to protect yourself from the sun. Wear suitable clothing and spend time in the shade when the sun is at its hottest; in the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm form March to October. When buying sunscreen, the label should have: a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 to protect you against UVB; and at least 4 star UVA protection. Don’t spend any longer in the sun than you would without sunscreen.
The immediate danger of too much sun is sunburn. With repeated sun damage, skin starts to look dry, wrinkled, discoloured and leathery. Although the skin appears to be thicker, it actually has been weakened, and as a result, it will bruise more easily. However, the sun’s most serious threat is that it is the major cause of skin cancer, which is now the most common of all cancers. Doctors believe that most skin cancers can be avoided by preventing sun damage.
BBQ Safety
A BBQ should be safe and enjoyable, but it’s all too easy to be distracted when you have friends and family around whilst cooking. To avoid injuries or damage to property, follow these simple precautions:
General Safety:
Make sure your barbecue is in good working condition
Ensure the barbecue is on the flat site, well away from a shed, trees or shrubs.
Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area.
Never leave the barbecue unattended.
Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies.