Tips for a Healthy Summer

Avoid Heat Stress and Heat Stroke

• Be sure to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Limit drinks that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar.
• In extreme heat, be careful not to push yourself beyond your physical limits, and rest when needed.
• Watch for symptoms of heat stress or heat stroke such as thirst, cramps, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches and fever.
• Never leave children in a hot car.

Avoid Insect and Tick Bites

• Avoid potentially dangerous bug bites by wearing insect repellent.
• When hiking in the woods, tuck pants into socks or shoes, and walk in the middle of trails to avoid overhanging branches.
• Avoid scented soaps and lotions that may attract mosquitoes and other bugs.
• Avoid spending time outdoors from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes bite the most.

Avoid Sunburn

• Always wear sunblock-even when it's cloudy. The sun's radiation penetrates clouds and can still cause sunburn.
• Choose a sunblock that offers UVA and UVB protection, and that has an SPF of 15 or higher.
• Apply sunblock at least 15-30 minutes before going out in the sun, and reapply every two hours or after swimming, sweating or towel-drying.
• Limit exposure to the sun when it's at its strongest-between 10am and 4pm.

Have Fun, and Play Safe

• Outfit your kids with the appropriate protective sports gear such as helmets and knee and elbow pads.
• Supervise children at the pool, and have children who don't know how to swim wear a life vest instead of "floaties."
• Always wear a life vest when on a lake or river, even if you know how to swim.
• Do not eat food that has been left out for more than an hour at BBQs and family picnics. This can cause food poisoning.