Now that the days of bundling up and dreading venturing out into the cold, gloomy, winter weather are finally behind us, it is time for some fun in the sun!! Before you head out to the beach or ballpark, use these tips to beat the heat during the dog days of summer.
- Drink plenty of (nonalcoholic) beverages, regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. That is already a sign of dehydration.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing. Look for UV protective clothing to help block the rays.
- Protect yourself from the sun by wearing hats, sunglasses, and applying SPF 15 or higher, broad spectrum sunscreen prior to sun exposure. Don’t forget to reapply every two hours, or after swimming, toweling off, or excessive sweating.
- Limit outdoor activity when the sun’s rays are at their strongest (10am-4pm). If you have to be outdoors during this timeframe, remember to rest often in shady areas.
- NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked car. This includes children AND animals. Over the first 30 minutes, the temperature inside the car increases by an average of over one degree per minute, so on a sunny 70 degree day, after a half hour, the temperature inside the car is approximately 104 degrees.
- Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, thirst, rapid heartbeat) and heat stroke (confusion, excessive sweating OR very hot, dry skin, very high body temperature, seizures, and fainting).
Remember, everyone is at risk for developing both heat-related illness and/or skin cancer. By taking proper precautions to reduce your risk of heat and sun related conditions and knowing what to do in case of an emergency, you’re setting yourself up for a fun-filled, stress-free, summer.
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