Making the most of a seaside holiday

The sea is a good friend but a dangerous enemy; so always treat it with respect, especially if you have young children or if you are not an expert swimmer. Always test out a beach before you go in to swim. Talk to people who live locally about the safest beaches, find out about tides and currents. Some beaches shelve very steeply, so always walk in carefully. And remember if you are by a river or canal that it is very dangerous to swim anywhere near locks wiers or waterfalls.

Back to the sea — watch out for sea urchins and jellyfish. If you are stung by either first remove any spines left by the sea urchin or the wound can go sceptic. Then disinfect the spot and cover with a sterile bandage. Some jellyfish can cause very painful rashes; the best way to alleviate the pain is an antihistamine ointment, so pack a tube in your holiday bag.

Cuts from shells or rocks should be treated with an antiseptic ointment such as Savlon and covered with an adhesive plaster.

Even if you are a strong swimmer don't venture too far out to sea; remember you will have to swim back, and sometimes the undertow makes it hard work. It is wiser not to go into the water for about an hour after a meal. The cold water in the middle of the digestive process can cause painful cramp.

If you are very hot don't just jump into the water, go' in gradually.

Don't stay too long in the water on your first day and after swimming doesn’t sit around in a wet bathing suit — change into something dry.

The sun too has its dangers; use a good-quality sun-tan lotion and always renew the application when you come out of the water. Sunbathe gradually, starting with a few minutes on the first day and gradually increasing the time each day. Wind burns as much as sun, so if you are sailing in a stiff breeze be extra careful about sunburn.

Don't wear jewelry on the beach; a number of stones are affected by chemicals, sun tan oil, hair spray or perfume, for instance cultured pearls, coral or turquoises. Jade or barnstone can be scratched by fine sand, so can gold or silver jewelry. And keep your watch away from sand and water, as only a very few are totally waterproof.

If you do get sunburnt, drink a lot of water which helps to disperse the poisons which accumulate in the skin. Don't put anything greasy on the skin; something soothing like calamine lotion or an antiseptic powder will help. If the burns are bad enough to blister, then you must not attempt to treat it yourself; go and see a doctor.