Summer is here, and with it comes long, lazy days, more time outside, and relaxed schedules and routines. And while everyone appreciates the slower pace of summer living, there are a few safety tips to keep in mind so you can make the most of this short but sweet season.
Essential summertime safety tips
Sun protection
Sunny days are one of the best parts of summer, but if you don’t take steps to limit your exposure, it can be dangerous. Ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) causes painful and damaging sunburns, premature skin aging, eye damage, and skin cancer. In fact, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, so heed these sun safety tips to protect your skin.
- Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Broad-spectrum sunscreen offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays, two types of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation that cause damage and skin cancer.
- Use the proper amount of sunscreen. Adults need about two tablespoons of sunscreen (about a shot glass) to cover their whole body. Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before you head outside. And make sure you reapply often — ideally every two hours or after you swim or sweat.
- Although sunscreen generally lasts about three years, check expiration dates, especially any bottles left over from the previous summer. Throw out any expired sunscreen.
- Don’t forget the often-overlooked ears, scalp, lips, neck, top of feet, and back of knees. Enlist a buddy to help you reach your upper back.
- Did you know UV rays can burn your eyes, too? Make sure to wear UV-blocking sunglasses.
- Beware of cloudy days. Even when it’s completely overcast, you can still get burned. In fact, those are the days when many serious sunburns happen because people mistakenly believe if they can’t see the sun (or feel its heat), they don’t need sunscreen.
- Layer your protection. Combine sunscreen with hats and rash guards/swim shirts to maximize your coverage.
- Limit sunscreen use on babies. Infants under 6 months of age should not wear sunscreen but still need protection. Here are other ways to protect baby’s skin from the sun.
Heat
When the mercury rises, there are a few key things to be aware of. Avoid being outdoors from noon to 2 p.m. when the sun is at its peak. Limit outside activities to early morning or evening.
Make sure your air conditioner and/or fans are operational. This is especially important for older adults and infants who are more susceptible to extreme heat. You should check on any older relatives or neighbors who live alone to make sure their house is cool enough. If you don’t have air conditioning, there are several places you can go for cool air during the day. Your local library, senior center, mall, and movie theater are all great places to cool off. If you need help getting an air conditioner, your local Area Agency on Aging can help you get an air conditioner. You can also get some relief by soaking in a cool bath.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is key during the summer when the sun is blazing, and the temperatures are high. Dehydration is a real concern for older adults and young infants, so make sure you know the signs. Drink water consistently throughout the day and eat fruit with high water content, such as watermelon, strawberries, and peaches.
Mosquitoes and ticks
If you’re heading into the great outdoors, unfortunately, you’ll have to share it with all the insects that call it home. To prevent insect bites, wear loose cotton clothing that covers your skin and insect repellent that contains DEET. There are certain insect repellents that are not recommended for infants or young children (including ones that contain DEET), so use this Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide to determine the repellent that’s best for your family members. Remove any standing water from around your home, which can attract mosquitoes. There are also several plants that deter mosquitoes, such as lavender, basil, citronella, and mint. Planting them around your house can help keep mosquitoes at bay.
Ticks are most active during the summer months, so it’s important to maximize your protection to avoid tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease. Be aware of the levels of tick-borne disease in your state. If you’re traveling to another state and will be spending a lot of time outside hiking or camping, you should check the tick population in that area. Avoid wooded areas or areas with high grass or brush, and wear lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect your skin. And finally, always do a tick check after you’ve been outside in an area with a lot of brush, grass, or trees. Check your entire body — including in your hair, around your ears, under your arms, in your belly button, between your legs, and behind your knees. And if you do find a tick? Don’t panic. Follow these steps for tick removal.
Water safety
Some of the best summer days are spent at the pool, ocean, or lake. But if you’re heading somewhere to cool off in the water, make sure you keep water safety top of mind, especially if you have young children. Remember these tips when around water:
- Teach children that they should never enter the water without an adult nearby. Adults should also never swim alone. Make sure you swim in areas supervised by lifeguards. Follow all water safety rules (like no running near a pool) and lifeguard instructions.
- Even if lifeguards are present, always have an undistracted adult supervise children swimming. Designate a “water watcher” whose job is solely to watch the children in the water without the distraction of a cell phone. Drowning can happen in very shallow water, in the time it takes to send a text message, even if a child knows how to swim.
- Young children or inexperienced swimmers should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets near water. While water wings, noodles, “swim arms,” and floats can be fun, they are not lifesaving devices and should never replace adult supervision.
- If you own a pool, make sure it is fenced in with a lock and an alarm on it. Never leave buckets of water or any other standing water around your house.
- If you’re swimming in the ocean, be aware of tides, waves, and currents. Know what to do in a rip tide.
- If you have children, one of the best life skills you can teach them is how to swim. Several places offer swim lessons for adults and children, including The American Red Cross, recreation centers like the YMCA, as well as local pools.
- And finally, know what to do in case of a water emergency.
Be prepared
In addition to the above tips, packing a first aid kit is another great way to prepare for any minor ailments or injuries that may arise. Taking a few extra precautions goes a long way when heading out to enjoy those summer days.
