Picnics, vacations, and afternoons spent on a patio: summer is a favourite time of year for most people.
The hot weather and long days allow us to enjoy a lot of time outdoors, but with increased temperatures, it is important to keep summer safety in mind! Paladin has prepared five tips to keep in mind as we enter the summer months. Keep yourselves safe while enjoying the heat!
Summer Awareness Tips:
Prevent sunburns.
Use an umbrella or a light-coloured hat to protect yourself from the sun and regularly apply sunscreen to exposed skin. Sunscreen should be of SPF 15 or higher, used at least 20 minutes before going outside and reapplied every two hours. A sunburn can make it harder for your body to cool itself and can have negative long-term effects on your skin, including certain types of skin cancer.
Drink lots of fluids.
Staying hydrated ensures that your body maintains a healthy temperature. Stay away from drinks with alcohol or caffeine, which can actually dehydrate you. Drink lots of water throughout the day—even if you don’t feel thirsty.
Shift your routine.
If you exercise outdoors, try getting active in the morning or evening when it’s likely to be cooler outside and the air quality—especially on muggy days—tends to be better. Avoid activities in the direct sunlight or on asphalt surfaces and instead get active in the pool or shady areas. Take frequent breaks, regularly replenish your fluids, slow down and pay attention to your body. It’s a good idea to avoid strenuous activities altogether in extreme heat.
Keep an eye out.
During a heat wave, regularly check in on family, friends and neighbours. In particular, children, seniors and people with chronic diseases are most susceptible to heat-related illness and some medications may also increase this risk. Never leave anyone unattended in a car and don’t forget that pets also need protection from the heat.
Know the signs.
Know that if you or someone you’re with starts to experience weakness, headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting or a rapid heartbeat following sun exposure—you are probably suffering from a heat-related illness. Try to bring the body’s temperature down by getting somewhere cool, drinking water, misting the skin and using ice packs. If symptoms don’t improve within 60 minutes, you must contact a doctor. If any of these signs are accompanied with a fever, fainting or confusion, seek medical attention immediately.
It’s hard not to overindulge during the sunny skies and hot weather of summer—especially if you’re in an area where winter consumes more than half your year. By following the simple steps above, you’ll stay cool, safe, and ensure you get the most out of what the summer has to offer.