Typically summer means fun in the sun for many families. They want to take advantage of all that the outdoors has to offer. Remember to be on the lookout for these seven outdoor concerns, and an enjoyable summer is yours for the taking.
1) Dehyration/Heat Stroke
It’s more common to get dehydrated in the summer due to the warm weather. Heatstroke is the most severe form of dehydration. Heatstroke happens when your internal temperature rises dangerously high. Your skin gets hot, but you don’t sweat.
Someone with heatstroke may pass out, hallucinate or suffer a seizure.
Fight off dehydration by drinking plain water. Drink enough of it to replace any lost fluids. Save your strenuous activities for early mornings and evenings. Avoid the outdoors during the peak heat from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Loose clothing can also help prevent overheating.
2) Poison Ivy, Sumac and Oak
These poisonous plants are found at the beach, in your backyard, and in parks. Learn how to identify and then avoid them.
3) Mosquitoes and Ticks
Lyme disease-carrying ticks exist in all 50 states, and not only in wooded areas. One mosquito-borne danger is the West Nile virus. Mosquitoes use water as a breeding ground, so get rid of any standing water.
Use the repellent permethrin on your clothes to avoid both mosquitoes and ticks. For your skin, use repellents with picaridin or DEET.
4) Sunburn
According to a 2007 Skin Cancer Foundation poll, 42 percent of us get sunburned at least once a year. The sun’s peak heat is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. but getting sunburned isn’t only limited to that time.
You can also get sunburned on cloudy days. Use sunscreen every day. Be sure to cover all exposed skin.
5) Foodborne Illness
Hot temperatures allow bacteria to thrive, which makes food more susceptible to foodborne bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, and campylobacter.
To prevent a foodborne illness from making your next picnic all too memorable, keep food as cold as possible until mealtime (40 degrees or colder). Do not leave food out for more than two hours. If it’s 90 degrees or higher, don't leave your food out for longer than one hour.
It would be a very good idea to use a meat thermometer. Cook steaks to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees, and ground beef or pork to 160 degrees. Poultry should reach 165 degrees.
6) Fireworks
Around 9,000 people were hurt by fireworks in 2009, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Two were killed, stated WebMD. Sparklers can burn as hot as 2,000 degrees.
Prevent injury from fireworks by having a hose or fire extinguisher close by for any small fires.
7) Stinging Insects
To stay free of stinging insects like bees and wasps, avoid heavy perfumes and scents, and wear light-colored clothing that is free of floral patterns. They are attracted to dark colors and to flowers.
Stinging insects like your food and sugary drinks, so guard them well.
Sources:
Harish, Alon. "Top Seven Summer Health Risks." ABC News. ABC News Network. Web. 19 June 2015.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/top-health-risks-watch-summer/story?id=16747491
Hauck, Brigitt. "10 Summer Hazards." Real Simple. Web. 19 June 2015.
http://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/summer-hazards
Karras, Tula. "Beat the Top Summer Health Hazards." Health.com. Web. 19 June 2015.
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20385879,00.html
Shaw, Gina. "The Top 7 Summer Health Hazards." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 19 June 2015.
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/top-7-summer-health-hazards
Reviewed June 26, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith