Well Being Magazine

Summer Safety Tips

The dog days of summer are upon us bringing days at the pool, family picnics, baseball and other outdoor activities. Here are just a few tips to help keep your family healthy and safe during summer fun.

Protect your family from the sun: Wear protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats to avoid sun exposure when involved in outdoor activities. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 (SPF 30 is better) and reapply sunscreen to exposed skin every 2 hours, sooner if you have been in the water.

Pack foods safely: If you are traveling with perishable food, place it in a cooler with ice or freezer packs. When carrying drinks, consider packing them in a separate cooler so the food cooler is not opened frequently.

Hydrate! Drink plenty of water before, during and after physical activity to avoid dehydration. For low-calorie flavor, add slices of your favorite fruits such as melon, oranges, berries or even cucumber or mint to a pitcher of water and refrigerate for two hours.

Practice boating safety: Before leaving the shore, make sure everyone on board is properly fitted with a lifejacket and is wearing it. The majority of drowning victims are the result of boaters not wearing their lifejackets.

Avoid overheating: Limit intense activities between noon and 3 p.m. when the sun is at its strongest. Head indoors when the heat gets unbearable, try indoor activities at your local YMCA or rec center like basketball, swimming, yoga or racquetball.