Warmer Days Have Arrived! Here's Your Summer Health And Safety Guide

Summer can be a great time of year. From swimming to picnics, warmer weather and longer days may mean spending more time outdoors. Summer is, for many people, the one season they look forward to all year. Yet the very things that people most enjoy also bring an increased chance of certain health hazards. What should you be looking out for this summer if you prefer spending time enjoying the nice weather to waiting in the ER for hours on end?

Heat-Related Illnesses

For some people, summer means sand, surf and sunshine. But hot weather can also lead to heat exhaustion if you are not careful. Exposure to hot temperatures, especially if you are exerting yourself, can lead to heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is a sign your body is overheating. Symptoms include rapid pulse, nausea, dizziness and muscle cramps. If you are outdoors in hot weather and feel any of the above symptoms, you should move to a cooler location, drink some water and rest.

In some instances, if left untreated heat exhaustion can develop into heat stroke. Heat stroke is also known to be caused by exposure to a hot environment but is more severe than heat exhaustion and body temperature may increase to 40 degrees Celsius or higher. Symptoms include rapid breathing, vomiting, headache and confusion. The condition can become life-threatening if not treated quickly.  

Food Poisoning

An increase in food poisoning may occur because more people are eating and cooking outside, where safety controls, such as refrigerators, are not used. In addition, bacteria grow easier in warm temperatures. To reduce your chances of developing food poisoning, use a food thermometer when barbecuing to make sure food is cooked to the correct temp. Keep perishable foods in an insulated cooler with ice packs. If food is left out for an hour or more in warm weather, throw it out to be on the safe side.

Asthma

Asthma symptoms may also increase in the warm weather. Although, cold air can trigger asthma, some people develop asthma flare-ups in hot, humid weather.  In some parts of the county increased pollen counts and other allergens may also lead to an increase in asthma symptoms. If you are prone to warm weather asthma symptoms, talk to your doctor about using an inhaler prior to spending time outside.  

Sun Smarts

If you enjoy spending time outside in the summer, there can be benefits to getting some sun. For example, exposure to the sun helps the body produce vitamin D. In addition, sunshine can help increase production of endorphins and improve your mood. Although some sun exposure can be helpful, you can get too much of a good thing. Too much sun can cause burning and increases your risk of developing skin cancer.

One way to decrease your chances of skin cancer is by using sunscreen. Choose a sunscreen that protects you from both UVA and UVB rays, which are considered to be a cause of skin cancer. Select a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 as advised by the American Academy of Dermatologists. Even if you select the right product, it will not do you much good if you use it incorrectly. Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen even if it is cloudy. Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas including your hands, ears and the top of your feet. Make sure you reapply every few hours or sooner if you are swimming.

READ Top Ten Hair Care Tips for Summer: Protect Your Hair From Sun Damage

Keeping Summer Safety In Mind

Summer brings with it an increase in injuries, especially swimming and boating injuries. Most injuries can be prevented with proper safety measures.

Water Safety

Who does not like going for a dip on a hot summer day? Unfortunately, drownings and near drownings peak during the summer months. Accidents, such as spinal injuries due to diving can also occur. Swimming accidents occur due to a variety of reasons. For example, children may wander into a swimming pool without being noticed. Teens may take a chance and swim in an unfamiliar river or lake, and boaters may head out without a life jacket.

Taking the right precautions can prevent accidents from happening. Consider some of the following suggestions:

• Put a fence around backyard pools and consider adding a pool alarm.
• Avoiding diving in backyard pools and other bodies of water if you are unsure of the depth. It is best to enter feet first until you are sure how deep the water is.
• Always supervise children near water. It only takes a minute for an accident to occur.
• Learn to swim.
• Teach children to always swim with a buddy.
• Wear a life jacket while in a boat even if you are a good swimmer.
• Avoid the use of alcohol if you are going swimming or boating.  

Ticks And Insect Dangers

If you are like a lot of people, you spend more time outside in the summer months. But you are not the only one out there. Ticks and other pesky insects are also out in full force. Following a few precautions should help you steer clear of problems related to bugs.

Although bees are not dangerous for most people, if you are allergic, a sting can be serious. The presence of bees increases in the summer. If you are allergic, make sure to carry emergency epinephrine, if it was prescribed by a doctor. Even if you are not allergic, bee stings can be painful. You may not be able to completely eliminate your risk, but there are a few things you can do to prevent stings. For example, avoid wearing scented lotions or perfumes, which can attract bees. If you are eating outside, throw leftover food away as soon as possible, which may also help keep bees at bay.

Mosquitoes can also be bothersome in the summer. Although they are usually only a nuisance, mesquites can also sometimes carry a virus such as West Nile virus. You cannot hibernate all summer to avoid mesquites, but you can do a few things to keep them away. Use insect repellent when you are outdoors. Drain standing water, such as fountains, where mosquitoes thrive. Cover up with clothing as much as is reasonable for the weather. It may also help to avoid being outside during peak mesquite time, which is usually at dusk.  

READ Ten Tips for Avoiding and Removing Ticks

Ticks can be another pesky problem in the summer. Although not all tick bites are dangerous, some ticks can transmit Lyme disease. If you are walking or hiking in a wooded area, stay in the center of the trail and consider wearing long pants.