When thinking about summer safety, bat-related precautions aren’t usually what comes to mind .

A Medical Health Officer with Saskatchewan Health Authority Dr. Simon Kapaj says the furry friends have been making themselves known more and more in recent years.

“As communities grow, more bats are finding places where they can survive, sometimes old buildings are one place, or cabins and other recreational facilities.”

If you happen to get scratched or bitten by a bat, it’s important to seek medical attention, as bats can carry the deadly rabies virus.

“We’ve had a few calls this summer already from people that have been vacationing in the northern side of the province. They have found bats in their cabins, and in one or two instances they have been bitten by bats.”

If the bat was captured, it can be sent to the national facility and tested for rabies to determine whether or not you need to get a shot.

If you do need the shot, Kapaj says there are no side effects, and it is 100 per cent effective.