Getting Ready for Summer

As school quickly winds to an end this year and we say goodbye to teachers & friends, please turn your attention to some important safety tips for a fun and healthy summer.

Water Safety and Sun Exposure:

Whether you are at the lake, the beach or someone's backyard, NEVER swim alone. Children should always be supervised by the water. It only takes a split-second for a young child to lose their footing or to fall into the water. Drowning takes the lives of children every year and it's an accident that is 100% preventable.

Wear suncreen! It's best to apply sunscreen about 10 minutes prior to going into the sun and water. This gives the skin time to soak up the protection. Re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours for best protection and remember: the time of day that brings out the most dangerous sun rays are from 10am-2pm.

Do you know what SPF means? It stands for Sun Protection Factor. An SPF of 30, will provide you with 30 times the protection. A high SPF doesn't mean you don't have to reapply sunscreen. Make sure to cover all parts of the body that are exposed to the sun.

Dehydration. Did you know a person can get dehydrated even if they spend the day in the water? Yes, it's true. Make sure to drink plenty of water if you are out in the sun. Avoid high sugar drinks that deplete the body of nutrients and fluid. Never mix alcohol with sun exposure. The heat of the sun will intensify the alcohol effect. Save that drinking for the evening or a nice, cool spot in the shade. And of course, NEVER drink and drive.

What about those pesky bugs?

Mosquitos and other bugs hatch in Spring and by Summer, can be annoying as we all like to spend more time outside. Be sure to use an insect repellent to avoid insect and spider bites. Products that include the pesticide, deet, are good for keeping bugs away. It's best to apply these products to your clothes and not your skin.  Avoid inhaling bug sprays, as the pesticides can irritate the lining of the lungs.

If you do get a bug bite and it appears to get bigger in the hours following the bite, draw a circle around it with a pen. If the bite inflames outside the cirlce, consider calling your doctor for advice. It could be a sign of infection.

Have Fun!

We all have fond memories of summer when we were kids and want the same for our children. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Think about safety when you are planning your summer activities and you will save a lot of worry and concern for your whole family.

See you in the Fall!!

updated 6/10