3 Surprising Facts: How to Keep It Safe This Summer

Always Follow The Elephants. Photo credit. 

Loving the summer heat? Preparing for that swimming tricks? Buying new swimsuit? And perhaps more photo-ops to post on social media? Yes, just like you and me, we love summer! 

Summer is here once again and you will never run out of time to plan one - perhaps out of the many season one would encounter, this could be one of the most favourite one.

But along comes the fun is also the possibility of some series of unfortunate events, let alone painful ones. But do not fret just yet. As your helping travel friend, we have some very good advice that you can and should definitely heed.

I've recently read a book entitled "Always follow the Elephants" by author Anahad O'Connor.  A reporter of the Sunday's column of the New York Times. This book is full of helpful tips and provides answers to your old age burning question on a range of things. Let me provide you with some related advice on sun, sea and sand.

Anne Curtis attacked by a jellyfish. Photo credit.

Stung by a jellyfish? Remember what happened to celebrity Anne Curtis? You can prevent that from happening to you and she was one lucky person that it was not the Portuguese-man-of-war (box jellyfish more venomous relative) that attacked her. Otherwise, she may not have survived it.

So what do we do "if" this untoward incident happens to you? Some would say urinating on the affected area would work. However, apart from the humiliation of having to ask someone to do it for you, research had shown that urine is not acidic enough to make that the difference. Many other methods had been tried but apparently the application of vinegar can deactivate the venomous nematocysts that jelly fish release. This is based on a study that removing any tentacles left by jelly fish then dousing them with vinegar will take away the pain and rapidly and completely prevent the release of more venom. After dousing with the solution, be sure to remove or scrape any small pieces with a razor, a credit card or any other object with a flat edge. Use of shaving cream and then removing the small pieces may also do the trick. After that, it may be good to take a good shower but best to hold it off at least 30 minutes after the attack. Perhaps the next time you plan to go to the beach, it may be handy to bring a bottle of vinegar for safety but most of all just be wary or you may end up missing all the fun.

Sunscreen. Photo credit

Thinking of buying higher SPFs to protect your skin from getting darker? Hold on to that extra money that can be put to buy some of your other holiday needs. Studies over the years have shown that a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 blocks about 97 percent of UV rays. Anything higher than 30 remains in the 97 or 98 percent range. 

It is also important to look for sunscreens with both UVA and UVB radiation as those with SPF ratings only pertains to UVB. The author also wrote that most sunscreens do not have protection against UVA rays which penetrates skin more deeply. And if you want to be too technical about it, look for ingredients such as avobenzone, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, all of which block UVA.

Now, if I had read this book earlier, I could have bought that extra two-piece suit. :-)

Removing chlorine from hair. Photo credit

Love dipping into the pool instead of the beach? You may have to bring and consider using chlorine-removing shampoo and conditioners as it is said that it can help avert changes in hair color.  Apparently, the high levels of chlorine can have some less desirable effects on the hair and skin. However, if you are keen to slowly changing your color and worry so much about the damage coloring might do, this could be your slow but sure chance. But fret not, if you do go for swimming in a pool perhaps once or twice year I am sure you will maintain your crowning glory.

I don't want to be a kill joy and ruin your plans this summer. After all it comes only once a year so go ahead and have a blast! 

Stay safe!