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Community Safety & Injury Prevention
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SUMMER SAFETY (NO SCHOOL, DUDES!) |
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No homework, no teachers, no smelly P.E. uniforms! It is summer and the fun is as hot as the temperature! Be summer smart and stay cool while being cool!
Preventing Heat Related Sickness
The hot, dry temperatures in the summer can be very dangerous for anyone so to avoid heat-related illness practice the following safety tips:
Always ensure that you and all of your friends drink plenty of water before, during, and after activities during hot weather. The best time to consume fluids is before you are thirsty -- by the time you are thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. Avoid drinks containing caffeine or while in the sun or heat - Yes this includes the gigantic-sized energy drinks. You should limit your intake of caffeine until you are fully grown - I didn't and I am really, really, really short! The best drink to consume is water or one of the many flavored sports drinks available.
Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration
- Dry lips and tongue.
- Headache.
- Weakness, dizziness, or extreme fatigue.
- Concentrated urine that appears darker than normal.
- Nausea.
- Muscle cramps.
If a person has any or all of the symptoms listed above, stop any activity and get them to a cool location. Have them rest with their legs elevated and drink cool beverages such as water or sports drinks. Anytime a person who has been exposed to heat becomes disoriented or unconscious, immediate medical attention for that person must be sought by calling 911.
Preventing SunburnsThe best way to prevent sunburn is to stay out of the sun completely. That, however, may not be realistic given that your average day in the summer should include something besides video games! You can protect yourself and your friends from overexposure with the following tips:
Use a sun block with a SPF of 15 or greater. An ounce of sun block will effectively cover your entire body.
Apply sun block at least 15 to 30 minutes before venturing out into the sun and re-apply at least every two hours especially if you have been swimming or perspiring.
Use sun blocks with higher SPF’s on areas that need extra protection like the tip of your nose, your ears, the tops of your feet, and your shoulders.
Do not use sun block on your lips. Instead, use only sun protection products designed specifically for lips.
Limit outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Play golf, lay in the sun, swim, etc., in the early morning or late afternoon.
Be aware of the sun risks even on cloudy days. Clouds and particulate matter in the air scatter sunlight. You can still burn even on a cloudy day.
Wear a good pair of sunglasses and some kind of protection -- the looser the better -- on your head.
Protect your children. Keep them from excessive sun exposure when the sun is strongest and apply sunscreen liberally and frequently to children 6 months of age and older.
Do not use sunscreen on children under 6 months of age. Parents with children under 6 months of age should strictly limit their children's sun exposure.
CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT YOU WILL LOOK LIKE IN A FEW YEARS IF YOU DON'T USE SUNBLOCK!
