Prevention Topics: Summer Safety

Choosing and Using Sunscreen:  Things to consider when choosing a sunscreen: Broad Spectrum - protects against both UV-A and UV-B rays SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher filters out over 90% of the sun’s harmful rays.   Waterproof if you will be sweating or swimming.  Use sunscreens made specifically for use on your face. This will help to avoid the sunscreen ‘running’ into your eyes and burning.  Apply sunscreen about 20 – 30 minutes before going out in the sun. This allows for your skin to absorb the sunscreen.

Keeping Food Safe in Warm Weather:  Here are some tips for keeping your food safe in the warm weather.  Wash your hands using soap and water. Wash before cooking, before eating, after using the bathroom, after changing a diaper and after petting or playing with a pet.  Pack water, disposable wipes, hand sanitizer and paper towels for washing and cleaning.  Clean the surfaces where you will be preparing and cooking your food.  Make certain that food is cooked thoroughly. Use a meat thermometer to be sure.  To help keep foods hot, place grilled foods to the side of the grill until you are ready to serve. Keep cold food cold.  Pack cold foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer packs.  Consider separate coolers, one for beverages and one for food.  Don’t leave food out for more than 1 hour in the warm weather and never leave food out for more than 2 hours.  If you don’t have a cooler, good choices are fruits, vegetables, hard cheeses, canned or dried meats, dry cereal, bread, peanut butter or crackers.

Mosquitoes Bites:  The warmer weather brings us outdoors and also brings some unwanted “guests”.  Mosquito bites can make you itch. Usually, they are not worrisome.  Protect yourself by applying insect repellant. Wear long-sleeves, long pants and socks when spending time outdoors.  Spray your clothing with an insect repellent. Take extra care during the early morning and early evening. These are mosquito’s peak biting times. Notify your primary care provider if develop flu-like symptoms, fever, skin rash and muscle weakness after a mosquito bite.

Staying Cool when it’s Hot:  Wear lightweight, loose-fitting and light colored clothing. Wear a hat with a brim or use an umbrella to help block out the sun.  Don’t get too much sun. Wear sunscreen. Wear sunglasses. Avoid being outdoors during the peak sun hours 10 am – 4 pm.  Drink plenty of water.  Don’t drink alcoholic or caffeinated beverages in the warm weather – they can cause dehydration.  Slow down and take it easy. Take regular breaks in the shade or cool area when it is hot.  When possible, stay indoors and spend more time in air conditioned places   

Summer Safety Basics:  While it is great to be active and outside, it is even greater to be safe and active and outside.  Here are some tips to make your outdoor activities safer.
Water Safety – Learn to swim! If you don’t know how to swim or are not a strong swimmer, use a personal floatation device.
 Lightning Safety – Lightning can be exciting to watch, but is very dangerous. Be mindful. Do not seek shelter under tall isolated trees or objects, partially enclosed buildings, or picnic shelters. When indoors stay away from windows and doors.  Do not use corded phones, or have contact with electrical equipment or cords or washers/dryers. Avoid contact with plumbing – no showers or laundry during thunderstorms.  

The Great Cover-up:  Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed.   Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays causes most skin cancers. It is not easy to avoid sunlight, but there are things we can do to protect ourselves.  Limit the amount of direct sun exposure during the middle of the day (10 am – 4 pm).   Seek shade whenever you can.  Wear clothing to protect your skin, for example long-sleeves and long-pants.  Dark colors protect more than light colors.  Tightly woven fabrics protect more than loosely woven fabrics. Dry fabric protects more than wet fabric.  Wear a hat – Ideally, wear a hat that has a wide brim, at least 2 -3 inches all the way around. It will protect your neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp.  Wear sunglasses – Wrap around sunglasses offer the most protection.  Sunglasses should have 99% - 100% absorption.

Ticks and Tick Bites:  Ticks are usually harmless, unless the tick is infected. The tick that causes Lyme disease is the Black-legged Deer Tick. It is the size of the head of a pin and usually lives on deer. The American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick are the ticks that cause RMSF.  Notify your primary care provider if develop a fever, nausea, muscle aches, headache, loss of appetite and/or a rash after a tick bite.