It’s starting to get warm in most places, schools are letting out and many people are dusting off their swimsuits, umbrellas and flip flops. Almost everyone likes to get outside when it is warm and sunny outside. Whether you are playing sports, lounging at the beach or hiking through the woods — you might want to take a few simple steps to make sure your fun in the sun stays stays fun…
- Use sunscreen! It doesn’t matter if you’re on the beach, at the pool, outside playing volleyball, taking a quick 30-minute walk around your building at work or just washing your car — anytime you are in the sun you need to have some sunscreen on (at least a SPF 30). You should apply this every 45 minutes. If you go in the water, make sure you dry off and then reapply right away — even if it is “waterproof”.
- Keep an EpiPen handy. If you have an allergy to bees, wasps, fire ants or other insects that tend to come around more often in the warmer months, you need to be prepared. In some instances these stinging beasts can cause a fatal reaction if an emergency team is not able to get to you fast enough, depending on how badly you react to the venom.
- Make sure you have a bottle of Calamine lotion on hand. If you like to go rummaging around in the great outdoors be mindful of all the greenery. Poison Oak, Poison Ivy and other poisonous plants thrive in the warmer months. These can cause severe itching and discomfort. So, watch where you walk! Make sure you rinse off and wash all your clothes if you do come in contact with one of these plants and start treatment right away. Oatmeal baths are also a good way to help calm the rash if the Calamine lotion does not help enough.
- Use a bug repellent. The last thing you want is to get bitten by a mosquito. Mosquitoes carry the West Nile virus, along with a bunch of other nasty viruses, so do your best to keep them anywhere but near you. You can buy the OFF! clip-on now. This will protect your immediate area and you won’t have to spray anything on your body. There are also candles and other things you can use near you that will deter these pesky germ carries from approaching as well.
- Check your body in all areas after you come in from a wooded area. Ticks like to hang out in these areas, and they crawl on you and into your clothes — and you’ll never know. These little critters cause Lyme Disease. While usually not fatal, it can cause a rash, fever, headache and fatigue. If left untreated, it can spread to your joints, heart and nervous system, potentially causing severe health issues with symptoms lasting months, even years afterward.
The summer is a great time to enjoy the beauty of the world around us. Just make sure you are smart and safe while you’re out and about.
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