Staying Safe in Summer Months
We are well into the Dog Days of Summer (the hottest part of the year, July and August, named because the Dog Star rises at the same time as the sun) and the heat is going to continue to get worse before it gets better.
Keeping your health and safety in check should be the priority during the summer months. The following guidelines from the Red Cross should be followed to keep yourself and your family safe during the summer.
- Never leave your children or pets in your non-running car for any length of time during the summer. Temperatures in the car rise very quickly, even on days that aren’t overly hot. Hot cars can be–and sadly, are–a cause of too many injuries and deaths each year.
- Stay hydrated. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Keep a refillable water bottle with you and sip on it all day. Stay away from the boozey drinks though. Alcohol is dehydrating.
- Choose clothes that are lightweight, light-colored and comfortable. You do want to be covered as much as possible to avoid sun exposure, but you don’t want to wear clothes that will make you hotter.
- Stay inside during the hottest time of the day. If you want to take the kids to the park or do fun outdoor activities, go before noon. Or plan for a sunset walk instead.
- For outdoor work, find a buddy and take turns. Not only will this split the load but you will also be able to keep watch of each other.
- If you are beginning to have signs of heat exhaustion, go inside, stretch your muscles, and drink 4 oz of water every 15 minutes. Don’t go back in the heat. Not recognizing the signs of heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which is life-threatening. If you are in public and see someone disoriented, unconscious, vomiting, weak, or dizzy, call 9-1-1 immediately.
There is plenty of fun to have in the summer. The days are long. The nights are warm. But it is important to be safe with the temps we’ve been having lately. Take care of yourself with the above tips. If you have any medical questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 844-ULT-LOSE. Stay safe and Happy July!
Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/en/summer-sun-landscape-sky-nature-2430937/
