Staying Safe This Summer With good weather upon us, spending time in the sun and participating in outdoor activities can be a lot of fun, but there are some risks to being outside during the warmer months of the year. The following tips can help ensure a fun and safe summer, especially when exercising outdoors: Warmer Weather If you enjoy outdoor summer activities, stay safe while out in the heat by: • Drinking plenty of water • Taking frequent breaks from activity • Limiting strenuous activity to the morning and evening hours Sun Safety While no one can completely eliminate sun exposure, you can take steps to help minimize the damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation: • Avoid exposure when the sun is hottest: from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Use a broad-spectrum sunblock lotion with an SPF of 30 or higher • Reapply sunblock every two to three hours that you are outdoors If you do get sunburn, you can treat it in a number of ways: • Take a cool bath or shower, or apply cool compresses to the affected area. • Apply aloe vera or calamine lotion to the sunburn. • Drink plenty of fluids. • Take aspirin or acetaminophen to reduce pain. Always talk to your doctor before taking any medication. • Do not break blisters if they appear. If blisters break on their own, apply a bandage over the area. Eye Damage The same UV rays that can damage your skin can harm your eyes, putting you at risk later in life for cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. To reduce your risk, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that you: • Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays • Wear a wide-brimmed hat, which will shade your eyes and protect the skin on your face Overheating If you are going to exercise in hot weather, keep the danger signs for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion occurs as a result of long-term exposure (usually over several days) to heat combined with a lack of fluid intake. With heat exhaustion, body temperature will usually stay at a normal level. Symptoms include: • Sweating • Paleness • Muscle Cramps • Fatigue • Weakness • Dizziness • Headache • Nausea • Clammy Skin Here when you need us. Call: TTY: 800.697.0353 Online: guidanceresources.com App: GuidanceNowSM Web ID: INTEGRIS Copyright © 2019 ComPsych Corporation. All rights reserved. This information is for educational purposes only. ComPsych complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. |
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