Safe Fun In The Sun (4pg)

Safe Fun in the Sun

How To Protect Your Family This Summer

Summer is the season when people love to be outside. But if you’re not careful, the summer heat can cause any number of serious health issues. Here are four ways to play it safe.

1) Avoid Sunburn

Just one serious case of sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer. Use plenty of sunscreen (30 SPF or higher) when you’re outside. If you don’t have sunscreen, cover up exposed skin. Wear a long sleeve shirt and a hat, even on cloudy days.

2) Protect Your Eyes

Overexposure to sunlight can damage the eyes. Wear sunglasses that offer 99 – 100 percent UV (ultraviolet) protection. And teach your children never to look directly at the sun.

3) Don’t Overdo It

Any combination of high temperatures, strenuous activity and not enough water can cause heat exhaustion. Heat stroke, a much more serious heat-related illness, can cause brain damage, even death. So whenever it’s hot outside, limit your activities, wear light clothing and drink plenty of water.

4) Be Safe, Not Sorry

Never leave a child or pet in a parked car. Temperatures inside a parked car can soar to a dangerous level in minutes.

Signs of Heat Stroke

• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness and light-headedness
• Lack of sweating despite the heat
• Red, hot, and dry skin
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat, either strong or weak
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

Signs of Heat Exhaustion

• Confusion
• Dark-colored urine
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Pale skin
• Profuse sweating
• Rapid heartbeat

Source: American Cancer Society, WebMD.