Summer has to be the best season of the year. It’s when friends and family come together to have a good time. Whether it be cookouts, playing sports, or having pool parties. But all that fun under the sun comes with a list of health risks. For example, more people are vulnerable to heat strokes and drowning during summer. So, does this mean you can’t enjoy the weather? Of course not! You’ve just got to be smart about it, and that’s where the tips below come in.
1. Sun Safety
Excessive sun exposure can mean an increased chance of skin cancer; protect your skin by limiting your sun exposure to no more than 5-10 minutes (depending on the UV index). You might also wear sunscreen (with the proper SPF) and stay in the shade.
2. Stay Hydrated
Hydration is essential, especially during summer, since our bodies lose water through sweat. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, constipation, and even delirium.
3. Stay Cool
Heat stress can cause dizziness, nausea, heat stroke, and more. Cool off by wearing light clothing and drinking plenty of water. You might also want to limit outdoor exercise.
4. Pool Safety
While pools are a place to cool off, they are also a place that claims many lives. The following covers ways to tell if someone is drowning and how to rescue them.
Know What Drowning Looks Like
When someone is drowning, they can’t yell for help, so you’ll have to look for visual warning signs, such as:
- Standing upright underwater
- Seeming to climb an invisible ladder
- Lack of splashing
What to Do When Someone Is Drowning
Drownings are quick and deadly. Every second matters. Assist the person by:
- Reaching a long pole for them to grab onto
- Jumping in to rescue them (only if you’re a good swimmer)
- Calling local health emergency services
5. Be Mosquito Smart
Spending more time outdoors can also mean more mosquito bites. To avoid mosquito bites (and the viruses they carry, like Yellow Fever and West Nile), always apply mosquito spray and do not go outside in the early or late hours.
6. Grill Safety
Always keep an eye on the grill when operating, and keep the grill away from dead plant matter or branches. It’s also a good idea to know how to use a fire extinguisher and to keep one on hand.
7. When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors
If you hear thunder, head indoors immediately. Hearing thunder means that the storm is close enough to strike you. It’s safe to return outdoors when it hasn’t thundered for 30 minutes.
Have a Fun and Safe Summer
While summer can be a lot of fun, there are a lot of dangers to be aware of. However, when the proper precautionary steps are taken, you can enjoy the season safely.
Sources
- Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation – AIM at Melanoma Foundation. AIM at Melanoma Foundation.
- What Does the SPF Number Mean? Verywell Health, 2023.
- Dehydration: Symptoms & Causes. Cleveland Clinic, 2023.
- Heat exhaustion – Symptoms & causes. Mayo Clinic, 2023.
- Signs of drowning | Norton Healthcare Louisville, Ky. Norton Healthcare, 2019.
- Choosing and Using Fire Extinguishers. U.S. Fire Administration (.gov).
- When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors – University of Alabama News. UA News Center, 2021.
Have you ever had a summer health issue? What did you learn from it? Let me know in the comments below.
