Watermelon, Apple Pie, Sand, Surf, Sun… Summer brings with it all kinds of pleasures, but it also has its share of health dangers. In fact, heat exposure alone caused over 8,000 deaths in the US between 1979-1999! The good news is, there are some easy ways to help stay safe this summer.
We’ve put together this list of some of the top summertime health tips to keep your family safe and comfortable during the warmer months! Read on to learn more!
1. Avoid Overexposure to the Sun
Spending more time outside in the summer months means you are at a higher risk for sun overexposure. While it’s true that exposure to the sun is a good source of vitamin D, which helps with depression and anxiety, it also has a dark side.
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is one of the leading contributing factors to skin cancer. For this reason, it is very important that you never spend time in the sun without wearing sunscreen to protect your skin. It is important to use sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays and is SPF-30 or higher.
If you plan on swimming, use a water-resistant sunscreen and don’t forget to reapply every few hours. A sunhat can also be a nice item that can help protect your face and neck from sunburn, as well as keep you cooler.
2. Beware of Heat Exhaustion
With the summer sun can come blazing temperatures. While that makes being outside more enjoyable than the frigid winter months, it’s important to make sure you don’t get too hot. If untreated, heat exhaustion can quickly lead to heat stroke which can be life-threatening.Â
You can help your body to stay cool by wearing light, loose-fitting clothing. If you plan to exercise or do strenuous outdoor activity, consider doing it in the early morning or late evening when the sun is less intense and the temperatures are lower. If possible, stay indoors during the peak heat hours of noon- 2 pm, or seek shady areas outdoors.
It is possible to get heat exhaustion indoors if you don’t have working air conditioning and improper ventilation. If your AC system isn’t working, contact your local AC services provider to fix your system so your family can stay cool and safe this summer!
3. Stay Hydrated
Water is essential to the proper functioning of your body, and the hot summer months make it much easier for you to lose water through sweat. Dehydration can cause and contribute to a lot of different health issues, including heat stroke, kidney problems, and seizures. It is important during hot summer days not to wait until you feel thirsty to drink; be proactive by drinking water regularly to stay hydrated and healthy!
Summertime Health Tips: All the ‘Cool’ Kids Follow Them!
If you and your family follow these summertime health tips you will be able to stay cool and healthy and enjoy your summer to the fullest!
If you enjoyed this article, stick around! We’ve got a lot more tips to keep you in the know!
Leave a Reply