When summer kicks off in New Zealand, so does the DIY and outdoor life that is an ingrained part of Kiwi culture.
Having the right levels of health insurance, income insurance and life insurance is an important part of caring for yourself and your family, but unlike a new bike or paddleboard they are a purchase you hope not to use. This means whatever your holiday plans, it is important to be aware of what you can do to keep you and your family safe.
Keeping children safe over summer
Keeping children safe is an obvious priority for parents all year round, but summer comes with unique hazards.
Avoiding food poisoning
Summer brings warm, moist conditions – the ideal environment for pathogens to multiply quickly and cause food poisoning. This means you need to take special care when preparing, cooking, and storing food. Follow the clean, cook, cover and chill rules; and take extra care, especially when barbecuing.
The Ministry for Primary Industries have some great tips for avoiding food poisoning.
Avoiding exercise injuries
Whether the panic of impending swimsuit season after a cosy winter of inactivity, or a New Year’s resolution to get fit, summer finds plenty of people leaping unprepared into a new exercise regimen.
While improving your fitness is a great idea for your long-term health, to avoid injury it pays to be sensible about how you start– this also increases your chances of meeting your goals.
Safe DIY
New Zealanders love to indulge in a bit of home improvement around the house or the bach during the summer holidays. And ACC hears a lot about it when things don’t go quite according to plan.
Before you crack into a new project check out ACC’s prevention tips here.
Safer Road trips
For lots of people summer means more time travelling on roads that are less familiar. Time with the in-laws isn’t the worst hazard of a summer road trip. AA has four key tips on their website for safe driving.
Most pertinent to summer road trips are minimising distractions, which means putting some thought into keeping kids entertained and fed, and being aware of your own tiredness. This takes planning; when you will travel, who will drive and when you will take breaks.
Share the load and be aware of when you are starting to struggle. There is no harm in stopping for an impromptu ice cream or brief walk on the beach, to wake yourself up and give your passengers a break too.
Remember to slip, slop, slap and wrap and have a wonderful – and safe – summer. If you want to make sure your insurance is up to date, or need to make a claim do get in touch.
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