Staying safe this summer

Summer is a time for family time and fun, but the safety and wellbeing of you and your family must come first. Here are a few hints and tips to ensure you can stay well and have the best summer ever.

While we haven't seen much of it yet, we do see the occasional heatwave here in Lancashire, and it's important that we are aware of health risks and can stay safe while enjoying the sun. From keeping cool at home and staying hydrated to using sunscreen and looking out for the signs of heat-related illnesses, make sure you are well prepared for warmer weather here.

Busy family life means we all have different schedules, but there are dangers in leaving children under 16 alone overnight. While there is no law on this, it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk. Use your judgement on how mature your child is before you decide to leave them alone. You could also discuss potential scenarios and safety measures with your child, such as what to do in case of an emergency and ensuring they know important contact numbers.

If your child has access to the internet, our Youth Zone website has some information and advice to help with online safety.

In the warmer months, visiting a nearby coast or getting out on the water is very appealing and a lot of fun. However, things can change quickly and the water can be a very dangerous place to be. Knowing the risks and what to do can save lives. Visit the RNLI website for advice and information.

Are you getting out and about in nature this summer? Look out for giant hogweed. Resembling an enormous cow parsley plant, giant hogweed contains sap that can cause burns. If the sap gets onto your skin and it's then exposed to the sun, your skin can blister badly. If you do get giant hogweed sap on your skin, be sure to wash the area thoroughly and immediately. Seek medical advice and do not expose the area to sunlight for a few days.

If you're travelling during the summer, it's always a good idea to check the five day forecast with the Met Office before you set off. If you're on Lancashire's roads during the holidays, please be mindful that more children will be out and about. There's likely to be more scheduled highways maintenance taking place, so please watch out and help to keep our teams safe as they undertake this vital work.

If you're taking advantage of our bus fare promotions and offers this summer, you may see one of our Public Transport Safety Officers on board or at stations. They'll be out and about this summer helping to tackle anti-social behaviour across Lancashire.

The best way to instil good road safety habits is to always display best practice when out and about with your child. If your child is preparing to start travelling independently to school in the new term, it's a good idea to have a conversation with them about road safety. Summer is a great time to start making some practice journeys with your child to ensure they are comfortable with their new route when changing schools. Take a look at the new THINK! 'Safe Adventures' campaign as well as our tips to help children to safely catch the school bus.