Pressure on public health warrants safety alert over summer

Concern for people’s health over the festive and summer season has prompted Dr Julia Peters, clinical director at Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) to advise, “Enjoy this summer but stay tuned to the potential health and safety risks in your environment, including seasonal stressors and H1N1 flu.”

2009 has been a complex and busy year for public health. ARPHS has been responding to a new toxin on beaches (tetrododoxin), outbreaks of influenza illnesses (H1N1 swine flu) and measles, increased alcohol compliance checks and an increased focus to reduce rates of sun related illness. As well, at this time of year, expectations about festivities, family gatherings and financial demands add to the pressures on people’s health and wellbeing.

“Take hand hygiene seriously and stay away from people who are sick especially if you are traveling out of New Zealand or are mixing with visitors from overseas. Make health and safety an important part of your summer plans and be sun, beach and alcohol safe,” says Dr Peters.

With alcohol consumption, whether you are the host or a guest, be responsible at all times and especially when young people are partying. At licensed premises you can expect food, and low and non alcohol beverages to be available at all times, the environment should be smokefree, and staff should proactively deter excessive drinking.

Look ahead to the stress triggers during the festive season and take charge to reduce these risks. Stay alert to the build up of pressures, take sensible measures to deal with stress and be realistic about what you can and can’t do.

To keep up to date with the latest public health advice during summer go to www.arphs.govt.nz

Here are some more tips for a safe and enjoyable summer:

Sun safe - especially between 11am and 4pm: (scroll down to article)

  • Cover up well, use sunglasses and wear a hat to protect your face, ears, and neck.
  • Use SPF 30+ sunscreen. Apply thickly and evenly to exposed skin 20 minutes before going into the sun and reapply every two hours.
  • Use sunscreen in addition to shade and clothing, not as a substitute for it.
  • Stay in full shade as much as possible around the middle of the day.

Water safe – drinking: (scroll down to article)

  • Never drink untreated surface water, whether or not algal blooms are present.
  • Rinse dishes washed in untreated surface water with bottled water to reduce any harmful residues.
  • People and pets should avoid contact with water that is discoloured until advised otherwise. Seek medical attention if symptoms such as skin, eye or throat irritation, breathing difficulties, or any other allergic reaction occur after contact with untreated surface water.

Beach safe – safeguard against tetrododoxin poison from sea slugs:

Swim Safe: (scroll down to Sea Water Quality article)

  • Wait at least 48 hours after heavy rainfall before swimming. Heavy rains can stir up polluted sediment and cause sewage systems to overflow into storm drains that then discharge into the sea.
  • If possible, choose beaches that have a good turn-over of water, which ensures that any pollutants are flushed out to sea.
  • Avoid swimming in beach water that is cloudy or smells bad. If you can’t see your feet, don’t put your head under the water.
  • Avoid swimming near storm drains or sewage outfall pipes.
  • Avoid contact with any foreign objects, and other obvious pollutants, such as oil slicks.
  • Check out the surrounding environment and avoid areas where contamination is likely, for instance, close to farmland where pesticides, fertilisers, other chemicals and manure may run off into the surrounding water.
  • Check the local council website before you set out for the day - for the latest health advice

Flu safe – avoid the spread of germs and get prepared:

  • Take hand hygiene seriously: regularly wash hands thoroughly or use a hand gel
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Stock up on bottled water/ food supplies and medication in case you become ill
  • Keep at arms length when in crowded places to avoid the spread of germs
  • Before travelling, if you have a health condition that puts you at risk from influenza, discuss this with your GP.

Alcohol safe and host responsibility:

On licensed premises – bars, cafes, clubs, restaurants you can expect:

  • Food choices available to buy at all times
  • Water, non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic drinks to be stocked
  • Management supervision to prevent excess drinking
  • Taxi and transport options
  • A Smokefree environment – Smokefree complaint? If you wish to make a complaint about a possible breach of the Smokefree Environments Act 1990, please contact one of our Smokefree Enforcement Officers on (09) 623 4600

At home:

  • Closely supervise young people around alcohol.
  • Provide a range of substantial food choices to your guests.
  • Provide a choice of water, non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic drinks.
  • Keep a taxi number handy.
  • Encourage activities and games which do not involve drinking, e.g back yard cricket.

Mosquitoes - How to avoid being bitten

Outdoors:

  • Wear a repellent cream or spray preferably containing DEET (diethyl toluamide); formulations containing less than 35% DEET are recommended because higher concentrations are no more effective (they just work for longer) but in rare cases may cause poisoning. Repellent should not be applied to wounds or irritated skin.
  • Wear protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts, long pants and hats to minimise skin exposure. Clothing can be treated with repellent.
  • Wear light coloured clothing - mosquitoes and other insects are more easily detected on a light background and are attracted to dark, contrasting colours.
  • Use screens on tents
  • Avoid places where mosquitoes are most active, such as swampy and shady areas
  • Try to avoid going outside when the insects will naturally be at their highest numbers - (sunrise and sunset)

At home:

  • Put screens on doors and windows
  • Use sprays indoors when mosquitoes are around
  • Turn on air conditioning if you have it - this is very effective at keeping mosquitoes out of a room