I know AIBU and a killjoy but am still worried

[Shelly32]

We're off to Finland for a week as DH's family are Finnish. We're in a summer house by the lake. My twins will love it but I'm concerned about the safety of the lake, not just the fact that we're by a huge expanse of water but also about the parasites and bacteria that can be caught from swimming in lakes. Does anyone have any good advice about this ? Does Coke kill tummy parasites? Should I go to the docs for advice..? Am I being just a little bit overprotective and should I just let them go wild and not worry about germs/parasites?

It's Finland not the bloody Congo. What do you think is lurking in the water?
No - Coke won't kill 'tummy parasites' - whatever they are - because if it it would be available as a medical solution in places where these problems really exist.

relax, the fins have brilliant health care, take out insurance.

I've spent many a happy hour in their lakes nothing bad to report, except you might want to get them a wet suit each, that way they will stay in for more than ten min.

Thanks quoteunquote I'll definitely take that advice on board. Lentilly
, parasites exist in most lakes...not just in the Congo

Would you worry about this if you went to the seaside in the UK.. because there are a lot more nasties in that than a lake!

No, coke doesn't kill "tummy parasites".

squeakytoy good point. Probably not.
I just have some triathalon friends who swear by drinking coke after a lake/river swim for killing off parasites. Also on Youtube, there are lots of vids that show worms etc don't like Coke. I know it sounds weird but it's just what I've heard..

I'm so sorry, I am in tears of laughter at "does Coke kill tummy parasites". Why Coke particularly? Does it have to be premium brand Cola or will Panda Cola do, or were you hoping to find that out from this thread?

Wetsuits and life vests Our DDs (3,5 and 1,5) wear their ife vests when we're near the water eg on the jetty crab fishing etc. Insect repellant might be good to have

How old are they? I was let loose in such a place from about the age of ten, my mum's friends' children had been going since they were much younger. I'd suggest keeping an eye out for drowning and reminding them that they shouldn't drink the water (or poke around in the outside earth closet loos, which btw come as standard in Finnish summer houses), but beyond that they'll be as safe as they are at home. Probably safer if you normally live in a big city, as they won't be inhaling exhaust fumes or seriously risking getting run over. BTW if the place is on the remote side it would be worth having a few minor medications so on to hand - painkillers, antiseptic, remedies for diarrhoea and cystitis - just because it is no fun at all to have the squits in an earth closet or eke out your last asprin for the hours (plural) it takes someone to drive (let alone get the bus) to the shops.

If your kids have a good immune system and have been exposed to plenty of everyday germs, and not lived in a sterile house, then the chances of them picking up anything are minimal.

As kids we played all summer long in local reservoirs, streams and even the canal, and nobody ever got ill.

Everyone is assuming the OP means a tin of coke

As someone who lives near a lake in northern Sweden I can say they'll be fine in the water. The Scandinavian lakes are crystal clear, mountain lake types and bloomin freezing. You will need one of <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.se/imgres?q=mosquito+suit&um=1&hl=sv&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:sv-SE:official&biw=1191&bih=865&tbm=isch&tbnid=0mHi-2GYqUb5RM:&imgrefurl=gearjunkie.com/outdoors-gear-2010&docid=yCjWaeBGzMkzzM&imgurl=gearjunkie.com/images/3584.jpg&w=300&h=633&ei=vCADUNbWE8j24QTbw5DyBw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=265&sig=111072022259316190696&page=1&tbnh=160&tbnw=76&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0,i:83&tx=24&ty=50" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">these for when you're out of the water though .

YABU they'll be fine :) Have a fab holiday, sounds really good.

THANK YOU last two posters! Some kind words and good advice!! Yeah the tuuk tuuk ( I think that's what they call it) is a minefield!!

It is in a remote place so the meds sound like a wise plan!

op, i don't know anything about lakes, parasites etc - but like you, i'd be cautious.

i'm sorry some people make such unpleasant responses. take no notice of them and focus on anyone who seems to know what they are talking about.

Kladdkaka lol!!! And for the morahiren (spelt incorrectly but horrible biting ants!)

I would imagine if Finland is like the rest of Scandinavia that the lakes will be very clean.

I spent the summer with my Aunt in Sweden one year and the water in the lakes was so clean and clear. Really lovely for swimming in.

And for the morahiren

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.se/imgres?q=contamination+suit&num=10&um=1&hl=sv&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:sv-SE:official&biw=1191&bih=865&tbm=isch&tbnid=OjWPqKM5_hbpsM:&imgrefurl=skepticalscalpel.blogspot.com/2011/10/more-stuff-contaminated-with-germs.html&docid=GRoE4mDjSdM1yM&imgurl=4.bp.blogspot.com/-qopTQdwolUc/TqgFQClSaBI/AAAAAAAAAJU/UHBtoVaApxM/s1600/Contamination%252BSuit.jpg&w=289&h=576&ei=CCMDULDLGJG2hAegg4T0Bw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=119&vpy=384&dur=767&hovh=157&hovw=79&tx=77&ty=141&sig=111072022259316190696&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=157&tbnw=79&start=0&ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:21,s:0,i:134" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This should do the trick.

That's nice of you to apologise for what you judge to be unpleasant responses lovebunny. Bless you.

midge repellent

Actually I have a PhD in Tummy Parasites of the Scandinavian Lakes, and ACTUALLY they do get deaded by Coke but those bastards at Gatorade keep blocking the publication of my thesis in the Journal of What Fred Down the Pub Reckons, Right.

I lived in Finland for a bit, I'm sure you will have a great time. I wouldn't worry.about the lake parasites, Finland's much cleaner than the UK, when I was there we could drink water straight from a local waterhole without any bad effect. Rules around water safety are the same as anywhere, keep littlies supervised and wear lifejackets if near or on the lake.

In the event of an emergency, the healthcare system is very good and English is widely spoken. It's a very friendly country, the Finns are much more helpful to travellers in distress than the Brits in my experience.

Take a couple of cans of Avon skin so soft bug repellant it works really well for us. Then enjoy yourself.

Rats on the water edge. Get some antibacterial gel to squirt on the hand to kill germs before eating.

The water itself - usually perfectly fine. Tell boys to avoid swallowing it though as that can cause tummy upsets. Two of my friends have had wikld swiming water bugs recently due to swallowing. They were poorly for a short while and recovered.

Neat spirits will kill parasites and bacteria, much the same as Domestos will