Check out these safety tips for your best summer experience!
Starting in June we had patients report symptoms similar to heat exhaustion. This can be prevented by practicing the following safety tips this summer!
Muscle cramps, fatigue and muscle pain may all be signs of electrolyte imbalance or an elevated core temperature. When it’s hot out, be mindful of your body!
- Sunscreen– Many options that are chemical-free, look for sweat or water-resistant and re-apply as needed. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, that number DOES NOT mean how often to re-apply. Read instructions on your product and at a minimum re-apply every two hours!
- First Aid- Trips to the emergency room spike during the Summer. Be prepared with a simple first aid kit for minor cuts and scrapes. First Aid classes are available and highly reccommended! CPR classes are also a great idea if you will be around groups of people including the young or elderly!
- Stay In The Shade- Limit your sun exposure and have a plan to be able to cover or shade yourself from the sun as needed. Clothes are a great sun barrier and some clothing have more of a SPF protection built-in!
- Lightweight Clothing- Have lightweight clothing available for when you are outside. Layering is a grreat way to control your body temperature throughout the day.
- Helmets- Be a responsible role-model and wear a helmet while riding on your favorite skateboard, scooter, one-wheel, bicycle, moped, motorcycle, etc. Head injuries can be life-changing and accidents happen. Don’t be a fool, protect ya dome!
- Insect Repellent- Avoid illness spread by insects! There are several options available that are safe for kids, animals or if you will be in thick woods or forests there may be the need for more intense repellents. Try to apply to clothes versus skin where you can and shower once you return indoors to remove chemical residues.
- Plan activity around the heat- Heat Index is a combination of several factors that impact the effect of the weather on people. Monitor the heat index to determine what times are best for outdoor activities.
- Sunglasses- Sunglasses protect parts of your eyes from prolonged exposure to sunlight. Also…. Don’t stare at the sun. Some exposure to bright lights is perfectly healthy for our body and helps with our circadian rhythm so don’t wear your dark sunglasses all-day!
- Take Breaks- Be mindful of you and the group of people you are with. Plan rest breaks around the people most at-risk for heat related illness. This is especially important with infants, toddlers, young children, the elderly and those taking medications, especially heart medications!
- Hydrate- If you’ve been to our office, you’ve heard the advice probably to drink more water! In the heat we also lose some of the salts our body needs via sweating and evaporation. Drinking solutions with electrolytes will help offset this loss. There are many great electrolyte solutions out there, Dr. Martin prefers coconut water as he has experienced the best effects using it with his athletes.
Have a Safe and Fun time in the Sun!
More tips available at: https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/summer-safety/summer-safety-tips
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