Top 4 Summer Health Risks

by Carmen Scott

Category: Articles, Information & Tips

Summer is a great time to be outside and enjoy the weather. But summer activities bring additional risks to your health. A little bit of prevention can keep your summer safe for you and your family.

Dehydration can happen quickly in the summer heat. Be sure that you have water handy whenever you go outside. Remember to take frequent water breaks.

Heat stroke is a serious medical condition that can be life threatening. In heat stroke, the body's core temperature rises. Much like a fever, high body temperatures can lead to permanent damage. Signs of heat stroke include: confusion, rapid breathing and the absence of sweating. If someone has these signs, call 911!

UV rays in sunlight can damage your eyes. Be sure to wear sunglasses that filter out 100% UVA and UVB light, especially around water. By wearing sunglasses that are not certified, light enters through the lens and actually lets in these damaging rays, and because the lenses are dark your pupils become large and you can damage your eyes; so make sure that your sunglasses have 100% protection from UVA and UVB rays.

You can get a sunburn in as little as 15 to 30 minutes of being in the sun without adequate protection. The symptoms of a sunburn won't develop until several hours later. Symptoms can include pain, red skin, blisters & fever.

Protect yourself by wearing sun protective clothing or sun screen which is applied liberally and often. So get out, get active, have fun and be safe.