Be Safe for Summer Fun

School is out, pools are filled, and the grill is lit; summer is just around the corner.

Here are four ways to stay safe this summer.

1) Stay hydrated

As temperatures increase, it is important to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated can lower your risk of a heat stroke.  A heat stroke occurs when the body reaches a temperature of 104 or greater. An individual should drink eight 8-ounces of water a day. Carrying a water bottle with you throughout the day can help to encourage fluids.

2)  Stay protected against the sun

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) “UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes.” Staying under an umbrella, a tree, or other shaded areas can help to reduce your risk of skin damage or cancer. Wearing dark-colored clothing, hats, and sunglasses can protect you from harmful UV rays. Apply sunscreen that has an SPF of 15 or greater. Sunscreen should be reapplied after two hours, after swimming, sweating, or drying off. Sunscreen helps protect your skin by reflecting or absorbing harmful UV rays.

3) Stay clear of bees and mosquitoes

If you or someone you know is allergic to bees, it is important to carry an EpiPen. Also, mosquitoes can carry harmful diseases like; West Nile Virus, Zika, and Lyme Disease. These insects are commonly found when you go camping in the wooded areas. Insect repellent, long-sleeved and light-colored clothing, and body inspections can help lower your risk of being bitten.

4) Stay safe near water

“Every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States.” (CDC 2016) Have an adult supervise young children at all times when swimming, apply a locked gate around pools, and learn CPR.

Resources:

• Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts | Home and Recreational Safety | CDC Injury Center. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html
• Shocking Heat Exhaustion Statistics. (2018, August 03). Retrieved from https://healthresearchfunding.org/17-shocking-heat-exhaustion-statistics
• Sun Safety | Skin Cancer | CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm
• Get the Facts: Drinking Water and Intake | Nutrition | CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/plain-water-the-healthier-choice.html
• Safe Summer for Kids – Family Health – CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/family/kids/summer/index.htm