Safety Tips for Your Summertime Adventures

With summer temperatures, everyone in the Pacific Northwest gets to shed some layers, sport our favorite pair of sandals and enjoy the outdoors by heading to the beach, going camping or taking a hike in the mountains.

However, there are a number of safety steps you need to take before and during your summertime fun to help you and your loved ones stay healthy.

Sunburns

Most skin cancer cases are linked to ultraviolet radiation, which is produced by the sun.

So, the best thing you can do is make sure, no matter your skin type, that you and your loved ones are wearing the right sunscreen while enjoying your outdoor activities.

When it comes to choosing the right sunscreen, you should look for something with SPF 30-50.

Regardless of SPF, the most important thing is to reapply at least every two hours.

Get more advice on avoiding sunburns with these sunscreen facts and myths.

Heat Exhaustion & Stroke

For most of us in the PNW, the heat can be quite a shock. That's why if you plan on spending extended periods of time outside in the heat, you should reduce your risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

If you are working or being active outside in the heat, you should be drinking a cup of water every 15-20 minutes. That's 24-32 ounces of water every hour.

It's also important to know the difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion and what to do if you or a loved one is experiencing one of the conditions:

• Heat exhaustion is early warning signs for heat stroke, a very serious heat related condition. If you are in the sun and begin to experience nausea, dizziness and thirst, it is important that you remove yourself from the hot area by sitting in the shade, remove any extra layers of clothing you have and drink water.
• Heat stroke happens when your body's temperature rapidly increases, sometimes to 106 degrees or higher. You may experience confusion, fainting and in severe cases seizures. If you suspect someone is having heat stroke, seek immediate treatment by calling 9-1-1 and while you wait, cool down the person as fast as possible by placing cold water or ice on the head, armpits, back of the neck, etc. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or be fatal if the person does not receive emergency treatment.
  Find out more ways to beat the heat and prevent or treat heat stroke and heat exhaustion with these hot weather tips.

Other Safety Tips

The most important thing to keep in mind before heading outside this summer, is to be prepared. One of the most significant things you can do to prepare is keep a first-aid kit on you at all times.

Additionally, wearing life jackets on the water, supervising children in the pool or lake and bringing dry clothes for after a swim. You can also learn how to perform CPR in case there is an emergency where someone stops breathing, which can happen when someone drowns or is experiencing a severe heat stroke.

EvergreenHealth offers CPR classes year-round to help you stay prepared.