The words Health & Safety are often derided and seen as a sign of excessive molly coddling or over protection. However, there are times when it’s no bad thing to be well-informed about staying safe. When we travel to foreign parts there can be issues which are the norm for the locals but not for the visitors. Some people may be unaware of precautions that can be beneficial to them and their family, so here are a few snippets of advice for when you’re in the Algarve.
Flying high
Of course it makes sense to follow all the rules on safety when in an airplane and to familiarise oneself with the plane and emergency doors as a matter of course. Reading the safety guidelines provided, even if you’re a frequent traveller, is not a bad thing; in fact we should always do this. But did you know that our bodies are affected when we fly?
Dehydration: We can get dehydrated, especially on long flights, so the thing to do is drink lots and lots of water. Alcohol will dehydrate our bodies even more, so it’s best not to have more than a couple of alcoholic drinks when aloft, but drink as much water as you can and make sure your little ones get plenty of liquids in them too.
Swollen feet: Sitting in a cramped position for a long period, low cabin pressure and dry air circulating in the airplane, can inhibit blood circulation and cause swollen feet. This symptom can make flying a misery, particularly when we go to put our shoes on when we land. To help combat this, try doing some ankle exercises or gently stamp your feet during the flight. Also, reduce the amount of salt you eat before a flight and drink plenty of water.
DVT: Although the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis – a blood clot that forms in a deep leg vein) from flying is low, some people may be more susceptible due to a medical condition or the medication they are taking. There are a number of ways to help prevent DVT such as drinking plenty of water and regularly stretching your legs and exercising. If you feel you may be at risk, consult your doctor before you travel.
On the road
Everybody who holds a driving licence knows how to drive safely, but here’s a couple of tips for Portugal.
It’s mandatory in Portugal to have a yellow, hi vis vest in your car. Most people have it draped over the back of the driver’s seat for two good reasons; it’s instantly visible to the police and you can slip it on in an emergency before getting out of your car. You are also required to have a reflective triangle in your vehicle to use in an emergency, as a warning to other drivers.
If you’re hiring a car, familiarise yourself with its workings before driving off. It only takes a couple of minutes to check the various gauges and make sure you know where the basic instruments are, such as indicators, lights, hazard warning lights, wipers, horn, air conditioning etc. Also, make sure you know how to select reverse gear! Each car is different and the few moments spent on familiarising yourself with these aspects saves you fiddling around dangerously when actually driving.
Of course you should never drink and drive and most people don’t; but do be aware that the Portuguese have just halved their tolerance level of alcohol in the blood for drivers!
For more information on driving in Portugal read our series of blogs
Waterworks
Everybody loves water one way or another, be it swimming or paddling in the sea, playing in a swimming pool or just horsing around with a hosepipe. The sun is out and it’s hot, so a dip in the water is just the ticket. Whether you’re on holiday, live by the seaside or have a pool in your back garden, there are dangers for the unwary, so let’s address some facts to help you and your family stay safe:
1. Secondary drowning
Many parents have never heard of secondary drowning, I know I hadn’t until recently. It can happen in a pool, in the ocean, a paddling pool or even in a bathtub. This rare phenomenon occurs after a child has a near drowning experience or a sudden, unexpected intake of water. You rescue the child and they cough and splutter, until all the water is out of their system and they are fine once more. You relax your guard because they are “saved”; but did you know that up to 48 hours later they could “drown”? Symptoms to watch out for:
Lethargy or unusual tiredness
A persistent cough developing
Difficulty with breathing
Mood swings
If you notice any of these signs, take the child (or adult) to hospital immediately and explain what has happened and describe the symptoms they are experiencing. Water that has remained in the lungs unbeknownst to you, or anybody else, can inflame the lungs and slowly stops the flow of oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream. The patient can “drown” from this, hence “Secondary Drowning”.
2. Swimming pools
When you have a toddler or a child who can’t swim, make sure your pool is fenced and gated or that you have a child safety cover over the pool when you’re not around. Many parents have woken up in the morning to find their child has gone “swimming” while they slept; the outcome can be fatal. Never take your eyes off children in a pool or in the sea, it only takes seconds for a rubber ring to fall off or arm bands to malfunction, it happened to me and my child once and it was the most frightening experience of my life.
There’s a relatively new product available nowadays called a Swim Fin. This has straps that fasten round the body, leaving arms and legs totally free and it can’t fall off. Children love it as they look like a shark when wearing it and they can learn to swim easily. It’s the safest method I know and gives the greatest peace of mind for parents. For more information about these fun buoyancy aids visit the Swim Fin website or if you’re in Portugal call 282 339 779.
3. The beach
There are 82 Blue Flag beaches in the Algarve. These beaches have a flag system in place informing you when and where it’s safe to swim and when life guards are on duty.
There are literally hundreds of beaches along the Algarve coastline; some of them are below cliffs. Never sunbathe or picnic beneath the cliffs, there are instances of rock falls and they can be deadly. Be aware of where you’re sitting, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
4. Play it safe
Just as anywhere else in the world, the Algarve has a crime rate. However, we are fortunate that it’s a very low crime rate! For advice and tips on how to avoid problems read our security tips article.
5. Summer fires
Hot summers and wooded areas go hand in hand with “forest fires” so be aware of the do’s and don’t’s:
Never throw your “dog end” out of a car window
Don’t light a BBQ in fields or woods – sparks can cause instant fires
Always BBQ on concrete in your garden – preferably close to a connected hosepipe
Never have a bonfire for any reason between 1st June and 1st October (these dates are guidelines only)
Fireworks are not for summer months – they can cause forest fires – don’t use them!
Don’t leave litter, especially glass on grass
If you spot smoke or see a fire – call 117 immediately and get away fast
There’s a list of emergency numbers for the Algarve here.
6. Sun, sun and more sun
Did you know that you can get sunburnt on a cloudy day? The UV rays can penetrate the clouds and burn you badly without you even realising that it’s happening. So take heed and be careful, always use sunscreen, even when it’s overcast. You’ll still get a tan, even if you use the highest factor sunscreen, but it will come slowly, without you losing precious sunshine hours.
There’s nothing worse than taking a week or two for a glorious sunshine holiday, only to get burnt on your first day and have to stay indoors or cover up completely for the rest of your well-earned break!
And don’t forget, sunglasses that don’t meet safety standards designed to protect your eyes from UVB and UVA rays may damage your eyes. It’s important to choose good sunglasses, particularly for children, as UV eye damage is cumulative over a lifetime and children’s eyes are especially vulnerable because they’re still developing.
Holidaying in the Algarve is super, living here is even better, and being safety conscious can help to make your life go smoothly.
So, kick back, chill out and enjoy everything the Algarve has to offer, knowing you and your family are safe.
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.
Playing safe in the Algarve
by Sun’s Dragon
The words Health & Safety are often derided and seen as a sign of excessive molly coddling or over protection. However, there are times when it’s no bad thing to be well-informed about staying safe. When we travel to foreign parts there can be issues which are the norm for the locals but not for the visitors. Some people may be unaware of precautions that can be beneficial to them and their family, so here are a few snippets of advice for when you’re in the Algarve.
Flying high
Of course it makes sense to follow all the rules on safety when in an airplane and to familiarise oneself with the plane and emergency doors as a matter of course. Reading the safety guidelines provided, even if you’re a frequent traveller, is not a bad thing; in fact we should always do this. But did you know that our bodies are affected when we fly?
Swollen feet: Sitting in a cramped position for a long period, low cabin pressure and dry air circulating in the airplane, can inhibit blood circulation and cause swollen feet. This symptom can make flying a misery, particularly when we go to put our shoes on when we land. To help combat this, try doing some ankle exercises or gently stamp your feet during the flight. Also, reduce the amount of salt you eat before a flight and drink plenty of water.
DVT: Although the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis – a blood clot that forms in a deep leg vein) from flying is low, some people may be more susceptible due to a medical condition or the medication they are taking. There are a number of ways to help prevent DVT such as drinking plenty of water and regularly stretching your legs and exercising. If you feel you may be at risk, consult your doctor before you travel.
On the road
Everybody who holds a driving licence knows how to drive safely, but here’s a couple of tips for Portugal.
It’s mandatory in Portugal to have a yellow, hi vis vest in your car. Most people have it draped over the back of the driver’s seat for two good reasons; it’s instantly visible to the police and you can slip it on in an emergency before getting out of your car. You are also required to have a reflective triangle in your vehicle to use in an emergency, as a warning to other drivers.
Of course you should never drink and drive and most people don’t; but do be aware that the Portuguese have just halved their tolerance level of alcohol in the blood for drivers!
For more information on driving in Portugal read our series of blogs
Waterworks
Everybody loves water one way or another, be it swimming or paddling in the sea, playing in a swimming pool or just horsing around with a hosepipe. The sun is out and it’s hot, so a dip in the water is just the ticket. Whether you’re on holiday, live by the seaside or have a pool in your back garden, there are dangers for the unwary, so let’s address some facts to help you and your family stay safe:
1. Secondary drowning
Many parents have never heard of secondary drowning, I know I hadn’t until recently. It can happen in a pool, in the ocean, a paddling pool or even in a bathtub. This rare phenomenon occurs after a child has a near drowning experience or a sudden, unexpected intake of water. You rescue the child and they cough and splutter, until all the water is out of their system and they are fine once more. You relax your guard because they are “saved”; but did you know that up to 48 hours later they could “drown”? Symptoms to watch out for:
If you notice any of these signs, take the child (or adult) to hospital immediately and explain what has happened and describe the symptoms they are experiencing. Water that has remained in the lungs unbeknownst to you, or anybody else, can inflame the lungs and slowly stops the flow of oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream. The patient can “drown” from this, hence “Secondary Drowning”.
2. Swimming pools
When you have a toddler or a child who can’t swim, make sure your pool is fenced and gated or that you have a child safety cover over the pool when you’re not around. Many parents have woken up in the morning to find their child has gone “swimming” while they slept; the outcome can be fatal. Never take your eyes off children in a pool or in the sea, it only takes seconds for a rubber ring to fall off or arm bands to malfunction, it happened to me and my child once and it was the most frightening experience of my life.
There’s a relatively new product available nowadays called a Swim Fin. This has straps that fasten round the body, leaving arms and legs totally free and it can’t fall off. Children love it as they look like a shark when wearing it and they can learn to swim easily. It’s the safest method I know and gives the greatest peace of mind for parents. For more information about these fun buoyancy aids visit the Swim Fin website or if you’re in Portugal call 282 339 779.
3. The beach
There are 82 Blue Flag beaches in the Algarve. These beaches have a flag system in place informing you when and where it’s safe to swim and when life guards are on duty.
There are literally hundreds of beaches along the Algarve coastline; some of them are below cliffs. Never sunbathe or picnic beneath the cliffs, there are instances of rock falls and they can be deadly. Be aware of where you’re sitting, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
4. Play it safe
Just as anywhere else in the world, the Algarve has a crime rate. However, we are fortunate that it’s a very low crime rate! For advice and tips on how to avoid problems read our security tips article.
5. Summer fires
Hot summers and wooded areas go hand in hand with “forest fires” so be aware of the do’s and don’t’s:
There’s a list of emergency numbers for the Algarve here.
6. Sun, sun and more sun
There’s nothing worse than taking a week or two for a glorious sunshine holiday, only to get burnt on your first day and have to stay indoors or cover up completely for the rest of your well-earned break!
And don’t forget, sunglasses that don’t meet safety standards designed to protect your eyes from UVB and UVA rays may damage your eyes. It’s important to choose good sunglasses, particularly for children, as UV eye damage is cumulative over a lifetime and children’s eyes are especially vulnerable because they’re still developing.
Holidaying in the Algarve is super, living here is even better, and being safety conscious can help to make your life go smoothly.
So, kick back, chill out and enjoy everything the Algarve has to offer, knowing you and your family are safe.
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.