Taps aff, cream on say health experts

As weather forecasters predict some ‘taps-aff’ weather across Greater Glasgow and Clyde this weekend, health experts are advising people to remember to take care in the sun.

Doctors in Glasgow and Clyde are advising people to remember to take care in the sun, particularly the very young, the very old and those with chronic diseases. It is not just sun-burn, dehydration and hayfever which people need to be mindful of but the hot weather can affect people with respiratory problems, particularly the elderly.

Doctors are also asking people to access their local health services appropriately ensuring those patients who require emergency medical care are being seen as quickly as possible.

Dr Linda de Caestecker has also called for people to look after their skin in the sun.

Dr de Caestecker said: “The next few days are predicted to be very warm, so it’s understandable that people get excited. We want everyone to enjoy their time in the sun but people need to be sensible and take precautions, which will ensure they stay healthy while enjoying the weather.

“People should try to avoid being in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day between 12 noon and 3pm. Replenishing fluids is really important as everyone runs the risk of becoming relatively dehydrated in this heat and everyone should be particularly careful to take extra liquids, cold tap water is ideal, at regular intervals.

“A number of Scottish people are fair skinned and need to take adequate steps to ensure their skin is protected. As the weather forecast is for sunshine over the next few days everyone should take a few simple precautions.

“Children are especially vulnerable and care should be taken to ensure they are covered up adequately. Babies, in particular, need to be covered up. With both sun-creams and sun protection clothing designed for babies and children there is no need for children to be over-exposed to the sun.”

Dr de Caestecker is also stressing the importance of food safety as we dust down the BBQ.

She said: “It’s really important to take care when cooking on a barbeque too. While burgers and steaks can afford to be pink, extra care needs to be taken with chicken, ensuring it is cooked and piping hot all the way through.

“Whoever is in charge of the cooking also needs to make sure that they are using different utensils for vegetables and meat and different ones again for chicken to ensure the potentially harmful juices are not spread. The risk of salmonella is high if chicken is not cooked properly.

“The aim for everyone is to have an enjoyable weekend, in this much anticipated warm spell, while avoiding food poisoning and sunburn, neither of which are very much fun!