Staying Safe And Healthy During Outdoor Activities In The Summer

Summertime means more and more time outdoors. A lot of us look forward to this time of year; the suns shining, the grass is green and we don’t have to stay cooped up indoors. However, with the hot beating sun comes dangerous UV rays that cause skin damage, dehydration and exhaustion. In order to keep you and your family safe this summer, follow these tips:

• Wear sunscreen! This is extremely important, no matter the time of day your outside, you and your family should be wearing sunscreen. Apply sunscreen generously on children 20 to 30 minutes before they play outside. Be sure to reapply every couple of hours, or more if water related activities are involved. Sunscreen will help you avoid sunburn, which is not only bad for your skin, but it hinders your body’s ability to cool off.
• Avoid strong rays. You don’t want to schedule playtime for your kids or strenuous activities for yourself between noon and 2 p.m., because this is when the sun’s UV rays are at their strongest. Make playtime in the morning and have naptime or quiet time between these hours.
• Clothing matters. Wear loose fitting clothing that is made from breathable fabrics, such as cotton. Also hats, sunglasses and shoes will protect you and your family from sun burning in sensitive areas.
• Plenty of fluids. Remember to be equipped with plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. You’ll want to stay away from soda or other caffeinated beverages, as they don’t combat dehydration, instead stick with water. Remember to drink throughout the day because if you’re thirsty you’re already dehydrated.
• Don’t forget snacks. Spending a day in the sun has the tendency to make you lose your appetite but don’t forget to eat five to six small meals a day. You might want to stay away from heavy, fatty foods as this will only make feel worse in the heat. Instead, opt for fruit and vegetables, which can help to rehydrate the body.
• Hey, there’s the shade. Just because it’s sunny outside doesn’t mean you and your family can’t go in the shade. Play games with your children in the shade so they have an opportunity to cool off and get a break from the beaming sun.
• Cooling down. You’ve just spend the entire day outside and you can’t wait to get into your nice, cool, air conditioned house, but not so fast. Allow your body to cool down gradually by spending time in the shade or just relaxing for a bit before you hit the AC button, extreme temperature changes can be harmful to the body.
• Be smart. Don’t ignore you and your family’s natural body signals. Heat related illnesses come with a host of warning signs, including nausea, headaches, fatigue, excessive thirst, body weakness, confusion, extreme body temperature changes, dizziness and slow or weakened heartbeat. Recognize these signs and get out of the sun as soon as possible.

Summer is a great time of year and it’s important to keep it that way. Although the sun can provide the body with many benefits, including vitamin D, you need to take several precautions to protect yourself and your family from harmful UV rays.

 

Keep yourself safe when enjoying the sun, and be prepared on the road as well. Keep an emergency kit on hand and fresh drinking water in your car at all times. Get free auto insurance quotes to make sure your car insurance coverage will meet your needs in the event of an accident. Wherever the road takes you, it pays to be prepared.