As we begin to see some sun and get out and about, here are a few tips for the health and safety of ourselves, others, and our flora and fauna.
~SUNSCREEN~
I’ll say it once: it’s the sun; you’re not going to win. Its surface temperature is over 5000 degrees and it can burn us from about 150 million kilometres away.
Our best line of defence is slip/slop/slap/wrap & seek shade. Please follow the latter hyperlink to see my favourite throwback cancer society ad. (warning: talking pig)
Consumer NZ also recently published the results of their sunscreen testing: https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/sunscreens/know-the-issue
Note that the sunscreens that ‘failed’ the test may still be effective to a certain extent (and better than nothing); they just didn’t meet their claims when tested.
The report also explains how SPF works and the best way to apply sunscreens.
~KEEPING OUR WILDLIFE SAFE~
Don’t feed the trolls! ducks! Bread isn’t good for birds; feeding juvenile kākā the wrong food (e.g. nuts, etc) can cause them to develop metabolic bone disease. They also don’t learn to forage properly – just consider what has become of our seagulls and pigeons.
Artist: Raid71
Many years ago on a beach near Mārahau, a faux-kiwi came out of the bushes and stole a moro bar right out of my brother’s hand. This is the kind of situation where no-one wins.
The Department of Conservation have some more tips for giving wildlife space that are worth looking over.
Specifically:
- Give wildlife 20m of space
- Keep an eye out for ground nesting colonies (especially on beaches)
- Take special care when walking dogs
Fire Emergency NZ also have some information on helping prevent wildfires
~DOGS ON HOT PAVEMENT~
If you can’t stand barefoot on a surface without leaping up and down, neither can a dog stand to walk along it. Their paws get very sore and they can even suffer burns.
This vetinary blog recommends laying your hand on the walking surface for seven seconds. If you can’t hold it down, your dog will probably need to put on its booties.
Happy Summer! (“faux-kiwi” = weka)
Newbies Bridge Club 