In the past 4 decades or so, baby oil and a blanket with reflective characteristics was all that you required to go out to the beach and have some fun. In sharp contrast with today’s world where people are looking to understand the importance of using sunscreen, back then the craze to get it right made individuals seek to use motor oil. We may cringe at this thought today, but you may want to consider that in those days, skin cancer was still unheard of. Some veteran lifeguards will today admit to you some of the oils that they used back in the day, and this is inclusive of Coppertone oil.

Fast forward to today and many more lifeguards are admitting that there has been increased awareness about the importance of using sunscreen. This has seen many more people work to protect themselves from the sun. Unlike in the past, today individuals will still get tanned, but will do so in the presence of sun block. Add to this the use of wide brim hats, rash guards and umbrellas and you have the full picture of an informed beach goers. In addition, today, many more parents are making sure that the little ones are protected as well especially because they are at a stage where it is very easy for the body to get damaged by harmful UV rays.

Some have gone to the extent of carrying tents to the beach in a bid to protect themselves from the sun. While this is a step ahead as far as the importance of using sunscreen is concerned, it poses a challenge for the lifeguards as they are not in a position to spot the little ones in the event of an emergency. Whether or not to put up a tent is a personal choice, albeit an unwise one if you choose to do so.

Conclusion

It is evident that lifeguards in the younger generation are more conscious of their health, and will go the extra mile to use sunscreen. This is because they comprehend the importance of using sunscreen, and are therefore in a capacity to advise individuals about the same. This is also evident in the way they work at the beach, by enclosing themselves in work centres with tinted windows to reduce the glare of the sun.

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life-threatening complications such as difficulty of breathing and multiple organ reactions. This makes it important to know your allergies.

Some people develop allergic reactions to some rather unusual and surprising things – such as underwear, cell phones and sex. Although many are familiar with common allergies like dairy, peanuts, dust mites, seafood and the like, there are still too many who are unaware of their existing allergies. Many develop sinus issues, hives and rashes without realizing that they are experiencing allergy symptoms. Here are some of the lesser-known allergies that you might want to know.

Cell Phone Allergy

If you are worried about cell phones causing brain cancer, worry not as there is not yet any conclusive study about it. But one thing is for sure, heavy users of cell phone can develop skin rashes and allergies. Dubbed as “mobile phone dermatitis,” this condition is due to the reaction of the skin to nickel – a compound commonly found in the exterior parts of cell phones such as menu buttons, casings, trimmings, and headset logos. Although this condition does not lead to severe allergic reaction, it can cause itchy, bumpy rash that can be annoying.

Exercise-induced Allergy

Sometimes people joke about being ‘allergic to exercise’ but in truth, there are people who develop allergic reactions to exercise. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis is a condition that affects thousands of people. For people with this type of allergy, jogging in the park or a badminton match can lead to rashes or wheezing. Usually, these reactions result from eating a specific food before engaging in extreme physical activity. Individuals with these allergies may not have problems eating the said foods, but exercising after eating them can lead to reactions. Exercise increases blood circulation therefore causing the allergen to move faster around the system, which results in allergic reactions. Certain medications (such as painkillers) and weather conditions (such as extreme humidity, heat or cold) can also cause this type of allergy. It should be noted that severe exercise-induced allergy can result in cardiopulmonary arrest.

Clothing Allergy

Some women think that they develop rashes and blisters in their chest area because of tight bras. But it can be a sign of allergic reaction to the materials used in their clothing. Formaldehyde and other allergenic chemicals are commonly used in the textile industry for preserving the clothing. Prolonged contact with these chemicals can lead to allergic reaction.

Intimate Allergies

“Sex allergy” may sound intriguing, but it’s a reality. Some individuals develop allergic reactions to latex in condoms, chemicals
in spermicides and lubricants. Of these allergies, latex allergy is known to cause fatal reactions. If untreated, it can lead to life-threatening anaphylactic latex reactions.

In order to avoid serious consequences of allergies, it is essential to work closely with your doctor to find out your allergies. If you develop slight symptoms of allergies, make sure to have it checked by a health expert.

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• Offer to pay for first aid and CPR courses.  Parents can help ensure their children’s safety and at the same time help their babysitter by offering to shoulder emergency training courses. Or look for babysitting classes that give babysitter’s first-aid training. Most of these classes teach scenarios like how to bandage wounds to what to do when a baby is choking.

• Provide emergency contacts. Babysitters should know how to contact parents when they leave the house. Parents should write down all their emergency contact numbers and keep it in a handy and easily accessible place, like the refrigerator door or beside the telephone. Important information that parents should leave behind are their full names and contact numbers, the home address and the time they’re leaving and arriving. The numbers for the police, fire department, poison control and hospital should also be included.

• Discuss the family’s normal schedule. Parents should spend at least 15 to 30 minutes talking with the babysitter about the family’s schedule and leave clear instructions with regards to eating, playing, toilet training and bedtime. Parents should also lay down clear house rules about TV and computer use, visitors and phone calls. Discuss the family’s household habits and rules. For instance, tell the babysitter that doors and windows should always be locked or that under no circumstances should the sitter allow someone in, even when that person is claiming to be a friend or family member.

• Show where the first aid kit and medicines are. Inform your babysitter of any medical conditions your children have and give clear instructions on how the situation should be handled. For instance, if your daughter has asthma, tell the sitter what to do and where her asthma medicines are. Make sure that your first aid kit has all the essentials like anti-bacterial soap, antibiotic ointments, band-aids, calamine lotion, hydrogen peroxide, ice pack, medicines, sterile gauze, thermometer, towel and tweezers.

These tips might seem very basic and simple to you, but the best way to prevent emergency situations from ever happening is to make sure that everyone is informed and that expectations are clearly explained.  Parents and babysitters should work together to ensure that children are kept safe.

For parents who’re still looking for a good babysitter for their children, make use of community resources in your search or ask the advice of fellow parents. Look into reliable babysitting services who can recommend good babysitters with experience and first aid certification.

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