Summer is a great time to enjoy outdoor activities --but it can also bring minor injuries. Keep the whole family safe and healthy while enjoying the summer fun. Watch out for common summer problems:
Heat Stroke
Don’t overdo it on a hot, sunny day! When you have heat stroke, your body stops sweating, and can no longer cool itself.
- Drink water at least every 20 minutes when being active outdoors.
- Know the warning signs:
- Leg cramps
- Red, hot, dry skin
- Rapid pulse
- Headache or lightheadedness
- Nausea
To relieve symptoms, put ice packs on the groin, armpits and neck where blood flows close to the surface.
Playground Safety
Playgrounds are a great place for the kids work off some energy. But they’re not always safe.
- Check the equipment. Rotted or worn out woods and plastic can have sharp edges and points that could scrape or cause eye injuries.
- Make sure the slides and other surfaces are cool enough to be comfortable. Even today’s newer materials can cause burns.
Treat minor burns from hot surfaces:
- Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water, or apply a cool, wet compress.
- Apply lotion such as one with aloe vera, or a moisturizer.
- Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage.
Bug Bites
Scented soaps, perfumes, and hair sprays can attract bugs, so forego those in summer.
- Use bug spray with 10% to 30% DEET for children older than 2 months, but don’t use it on infants.
- Wash the area of an insect bite with soap and water.
- Take an antihistamine to reduce itching.
Bad Plants
Hiking, camping or just time in the back yard can have painful results. Learn to recognize poison ivy and poison oak.
- Symptoms appear 24 to 72 hours after exposure to plants.
- Symptoms can also be caused by touching pets, garden tools, sports equipment, or other things that had direct contact with the plant.
- Signs include:
- Red streaks or patches, itching, rash, swelling, blisters that may leak fluid and later crust over, inflammation and a burning sensation
- Treatment:
- Wash the area well with mild soap and lukewarm water as soon as possible after contact. Try calamine lotion for the itching.
Sunburn
Don’t let a sunburn spoil your vacation--or lead to skin cancer.
- Use a broad-spectrum (against UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of at least 30.
- Limit time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are the strongest.
- Cover up with clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
- Treatment:
- Take a cool bath or shower.
- Apply moisturizer like an aloe vera lotion or gel.
