Safety tips for your summer
Summer is synonymous with relaxation and fun in the sun. Remembering these tips can help you enjoy summer as safely as
possible.
Avoid heat-related illnesses: Hot summer days pose a significant threat if the proper measures aren’t taken to avoid heat-related illnesses. According to the National Safety Council, heat exhaustion, which occurs when the body loses
excessive water and salt, and heat stroke, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes is marked by the body’s inability to control its temperature, can escalate rapidly. Such illnesses are entirely preventable, and the CDC
recommends remaining indoors in air conditioned rooms, drinking plenty of fluids but avoiding alcohol, wearing loose and lightweight clothing as well as a hat, and replacing salt lost from sweating by drinking fruit juice or sports drinks.
• Apply sunscreen: It’s imperative that individuals apply sunscreen before going outside and then reapply it throughout the day as necessary. Sunburn is not only unpleasant, it also increases a
person’s risk for skin cancer and affects the body’s ability to cool itself, which can increase the risk for heat stroke.
• Protect against mosquitoes: Mosquitoes can carry an assortment of viruses, including Zika virus and West Nile virus. And though such viruses are often thought of as a problem for people in faraway lands, the NSC notes that the Aedes
mosquito, which is a known transmitter of the Zika virus, has appeared in various regions of the globe, including the continental United States and popular vacation destinations like Mexico and Central and South America. The NSC recommends that everyone, and especially individuals who work outdoors, apply mosquito repellant before going outside and to continue to do so as necessary throughout the day. In addition, clothing treated with the insecticide permethrin may help to repel mosquitoes.
• Exercise caution around water: The CDC reports that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children between the ages of one and four, although adults must exercise caution as well. The NSC recommends individuals avoid the water unless they know how to swim. Individuals also should never swim alone and only swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard. When swimming at a private residence, children should never be allowed to swim unless an adult is supervising. Adults also should avoid alcohol when swimming.
Summer is a season to relax, but it’s also a season when safety should be a top priority for people of all ages.