4 Health and Safety Tips for the Summer

Summary: Summer is a time of fun, but it’s important to stay safe and healthy as you’re likely to spend a lot more time outdoors and around water. Summer safety tips can help you and your family make the most of the season.

Summer is a time when most of us slow down, enjoy the sunny weather and plan vacations with our kids or grandkids. When the sun’s out and flowers are blooming, it’s hard to stay cooped up indoors.

But warmer climes come with their own health and safety concerns.

Spending more time outdoors means you need to contend with hot temperatures, sun exposure and increased physical activity. And while these activities can be fun, they can also cause dehydration, sunburn, heatstroke and even serious illnesses.

Follow these four summer safety tips to make the most of the season safely.

1. Stay cool and hydrated

If you’re not careful, high temperatures and sun exposure for long periods can cause dehydration and heatstroke, especially in children and older adults. Here are some tips for the summer to avoid these problems.

• Drink a lot of water: Water is your best friend to prevent dehydration. The CDC recommends drinking more water than usual if you’re battling the heat. Make a reusable, easy-to-carry water bottle your favorite accessory for the season and encourage your loved ones to do the same.
• Dress for the weather: Stay cool in loose-fitting, light-colored clothing in breathable materials like cotton or linen. Fish out those broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses to protect your eyes and face from the sun.
• Cool yourself: Avoid being active at the hottest time of day. And if you must venture out, try to spend most of your time in the shade. Stay in air-conditioned spaces when you can’t cool off any other way.
• Know what heatstroke looks like: The symptoms of heatstroke include dizziness, headache, nausea, heat rash and muscle cramps. Seek shade, fluids and apply cool, wet cloths to your skin if you experience these. Make sure to seek immediate medical help if your symptoms worsen.

2. Use sun protection

We get it. It’s tempting to bask in the sun for long stretches like a happy house cat. It’s also a great way to get your quota of vitamin D. But sun overexposure can cause many issues, including sunburn, potential heatstroke, premature aging and a heightened risk of skin cancer. Shield yourself from harmful UV rays by doing the following:

• Wear sunscreen daily: Before you step out, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and then reapply every two hours, or more often if you’re sweating or going swimming. Many experts recommend the use of sunscreen indoors as well, if in a room filled with bright sunlight.
• Prioritize shade: On sunny days, seek shelter under trees, umbrellas, tents, or the like, to reduce time you’re spending under the beating sun.
• Dress to cover your skin: During unavoidable UV exposure, such as a vacation in a sunny country, wear lightweight, skin-covering clothing and brimmed hats.

3. Prevent summer illnesses

Tips for summer safety include preventing illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses and insect bites that may be more likely to occur during the warmer months.

• Eat healthy food: Summer comes with a bounty of fresh produce. Use the opportunity to stock up on fruit and veggies from your local farmer’s market. Stay away from processed food as much as possible. Snack on eggs, nuts and dark chocolate, foods that will both satisfy you and keep your blood sugar levels from spiking.
• Practice food safety: The burgers from today’s barbecue might look delicious but if they’ve been laying outside for a while, it’s advisable to stay away. Summer heat can boost bacterial growth, causing food-borne illnesses. Avoid leaving food out for long, especially during hot days at a picnic.
• Keep mosquitoes at bay: Mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases like West Nile virus and Zika. Use insect repellent or citronella, wear skin-covering clothing and rid your yard of standing water that can attract these pests.
• Be vigilant about ticks: Ticks, often found in wooded areas and tall grass, are carriers of Lyme disease and other illnesses. Wear long pants and tall socks when hiking or walking in grassy areas, check your body thoroughly after time spent outdoors and remove any ticks properly.

4. Practice water safety

A list of tips on summer safety will be incomplete without mentioning water-related summer safety risks. Warm weather brings many opportunities to swim, which is great fun but also presents many dangers.

• Don’t leave kids unattended: Always watch children in the water, like a hawk, if you must. Be especially vigilant around young children and non-swimmers. Drowning can happen fast and sometimes, without notice, so you can’t afford to be distracted for even a moment.
• Learn to swim: Swimming is a valuable life skill, especially if you spend any time around water, such as riding in boats. If you don’t know how to swim, schedule one-on-one lessons at your local pool. Swimming can also be a great exercise for seniors as it’s easy on the joints.
• Use life jackets: Life jackets are necessary anytime you’re out in a watercraft as well as for small children and other non-swimmers anytime they’re in water.

Have a great summer

Stay safe and healthy this summer by following these summer safety tips. A bit of preparation and awareness can help you enjoy the season without mishap.

Mutual of Omaha is committed to your well-being and always available as a source of helpful health advice.

Have a safe and happy summer!

FAQs

Q1: What does heatstroke look like?

If you have heatstroke, you’re likely to experience dizziness, headache, nausea, heat rash or muscle cramps. If you experience these symptoms, get out of the sun and into the shade immediately, drink fluids and apply wet cloths to your body. Seek immediate medical help if your symptoms worsen.

Q2: How do I protect myself from the sun in the summer?

Wear sunscreen daily of SPF 30 or above, look for shade whenever you can, and dress in long sleeves and pants to cover your skin.

Q3: How do I keep my family safe in the water?

Always watch children closely around water. Learn how to swim. Use life jackets when out in deep water and for young children and other non-swimmers.

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