Tips for Keeping Your Summer Safe

Staying Safe to Enjoy Your Summer

Summertime brings warmer weather, longer days, and the opportunity for tons of fun. It also brings a few health and safety hazards that are unique to this time of year. To ensure you and your loved ones can enjoy it all and avoid an unwanted trip to the doctor's office, the health experts at St. Luke's are here to share some tips on how to stay safe.

1. Don’t Forget Your Sunscreen

Sun Can Damage Your Skin

When your skin is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays for long periods of time, it can damage your skin and even kill off skin cells. This can result in painful sunburn, and excessive exposure to UV rays over time can lead to skin cancer.

Choosing the Right Sunscreen

Sunscreen options are seemingly limitless. However, certain types of sunscreen are more effective than others. Regardless of the brand, it's important that the sunscreen you choose is labeled as "broad spectrum." Broad-spectrum sunblock helps protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. The sunscreen you choose should also have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more. SPF 30 sunscreens are able to protect your skin from about 97% of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.

2. Stay Hydrated

Recommended Water Intake

From regulating your body's temperature to supporting organ function, staying hydrated supports many aspects of your health. It's typically recommended that you drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. However, if you’re outside sweating in the heat you may need to drink more.

Foods that Help Hydrate

Whether you struggle to drink enough water each day or you have a little one who isn't too keen on drinking water, don't fret. There are plenty of foods that can help keep you hydrated. Try adding some of these fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet this summer to boost your daily water intake:

• Watermelon
• Strawberries
• Celery
• Pineapple
• Peaches
• Oranges
• Bell peppers
• Honeydew
• Cantaloupe
• Broccoli
• Cucumbers
• Lettuce
• Zucchini

3. Practice Water Safety

Properly Supervise Children and Teens

With unintentional drownings being the second-leading cause of death for children between 1 and 14, it is essential for parents and caregivers to keep an eye on their kiddos around water. Drowning can happen fast and quietly. It is imperative that you stay close enough to reach a child at all times.

Don’t Run by Water

When spending time by a body of water, it is important to avoid running and roughhousing by the water’s edge. While most people have experienced trips and falls on dry land, factoring in water can mean serious injury and can even be fatal.

Avoid Alcohol Use

Although you may be tempted to grab a beer when spending time by the lake or pool, it is recommended that you avoid drinking if you plan on swimming. This is because more than 70% of accidental drowning accidents involve alcohol consumption. This is because drinking alcohol can affect the following:

• Balance
• Coordination
• Decision-making skills

When you factor in sun exposure and high temperatures, these effects are intensified.

Immediate Care Options at St. Luke’s

If you need immediate attention and your primary care provider is unavailable, St. Luke's offers a variety of immediate care options where you can be seen without an appointment. To learn more about St. Luke's immediate care offerings, visit our website.

If you or a family member is experiencing a life-threatening injury or illness, please call 911.