It’s that time of year, when school is out and pools are open. Families around the country begin searching for ways to cool down and celebrate summertime. But before you and your family fire up the grill, head to the pool and light your fireworks, remember safety first.

Here are a few summer time safety tips to keep you and your family enjoying all of the freedom and fun of summer.

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen

As the temperature rises, more people look for outdoor activities and fun in the sun, but summer isn’t quite as fun when you’re stuck inside aching from sunburn. When you head outside to enjoy the warm weather remember to protect yourself from sunburns and heat-related illnesses.

The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.

“Sun exposure is one of the most common environmental sources for aging the skin,” says Asra Ali, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. “It increases the risk for skin cancer. Proper sunscreen use requires application half an hour prior to sun exposure, UVB- and UVA-blocking abilities and continual reapplication throughout the day.”

Here are a few more tips from the CDC for protecting yourself from the sun while still having fun outdoors:

• Find some shade, especially during midday hours--10 a.m.-4 p.m.--when the sun’s rays are strongest and can inflict the most damage.
• Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin.
• Use a wide brim hat to shade your face, head, ears, and neck from the sun.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap around your face and block as many UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• And remember, don’t forget the sunscreen.

For more information about protecting yourself from the sun, visit http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/howto.htm.

Cool It

While enjoying warm weather and outdoor activities, it’s important to recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses and understand how to prevent, control and respond to them.

The CDC explains that during hot weather your body’s natural way of cooling itself, sweating, isn’t enough. During especially hot and humid days your body temperature can rise to dangerous levels that could lead to heat illness. When your body can’t cool itself properly, you may be susceptible to a heat-related illness, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms related to strenuous activity; these cramps normally involve the abdominal or leg muscles. Heat exhaustion is a more serious stage of heat-related illness. It normally occurs when fluids are lost through heavy sweating such as when you exercise heavily or work in a warm, humid place. Fluid loss causes blood flow to decrease in the vital organs which causes the body to go into a form of shock. Signs of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale, flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion.

If you or someone around you is experiencing heat cramps or heat exhaustion stop the activity, find a cool place to rest, drink small amounts of cool water, remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool-water dampened cloths. In the case of heat cramps, gently stretch and massage the cramped muscle. If the situation persists or worsens, call 9-1-1.

Heat stroke, also known as sunstroke, is the most serious heat-related illness and is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signs of heat stroke include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.

In the case of heat stroke, help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 immediately. Keep the person in a cool place, wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it or place ice packs on the victim’s wrists, ankles, armpits and neck to cool the largest blood vessels. Be sure to watch for signs of breathing problems and keep the person lying down.

Heat-related illnesses can become serious or even deadly if unattended. No matter your outdoor activity of choice, remember to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks. The American Red Cross suggests these steps to prevent heat-related illnesses:

• Dress for the heat by wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colored clothes reflect more of the sun's energy away from your body. Also, remember to grab a hat or umbrella to shade your face, head, ears, and neck.
• Stay hydrated. In hot weather it’s important to drink water or juice continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid beverages that dehydrate the body such as alcohol and caffeine.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein which increase metabolic heat.
• Do not use salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Avoid strenuous activity in very hot weather. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning.
• When possible, stay indoors.
• When engaged in physical activity on warm days, take regular breaks to allow yourself to cool down.

For more information about preventing heat-related illnesses, visit http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/heat.html.

Date Posted: 07/01/2008