We have officially started summer with the Memorial Day Weekend! The weather was beautiful in our part of Ohio and after weeks of cloudy, rainy cold weather, we were all ready to be outside and enjoy the warm sun. This is a good time to remind ourselves how to be safe while having fun in the sun!
We often think about the dangers from too much sun. Much is written about using sunscreen, limiting time out during the hottest part of the day, etc. We sometimes forget to also protect ourselves and our children from excessive heat.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has great advice for us:
- Drink more fluids. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink. Keep a bottle of water close by at all times.
- Don’t drink liquids with lots of sugar or alcohol – they can actually cause you to loose body fluid.
- Some medications can cause dehydration, check with your doctor or pharmacist and follow advice about sun and heat exposure.
- Infants, young children and the elderly are more sensitive to excessive heat and sun exposure. Be sure and limit their time spent outside on hot, sunny days.
- If the heat is excessive, try to stay in an air-conditioned place. Electric fans can help but once the temperature reaches 90°, fans do not prevent heat-related illness.
- Wear light weight, light colored clothing.
- You might want to carry a water bottle mister or keep a wet washcloth in your cooler for instant relief from the heat!
- Limit your outdoor activity to morning or evening hours if possible. Between 10 am and 4 pm the sun is its strongest.
- Try to rest in shady areas.
- Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
The American Cancer Society provides a sun-safety quiz (http://www.cancer.org/healthy/toolsandcalculators/quizzes/app/sun-safety-quiz)
Take a few minutes to take their quiz and see how sun smart you are!
So, enjoy being outside in the sun and heat, but be smart…protect yourself and those in your care so that everyone has a happy, healthy summer!
Writer: Marilyn Rabe, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Franklin County, rabe.9@osu.edu
Reviewer: Michelle Treber, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County, treber.1@osu.edu
Sources:
http://www.cancer.org/healthy/besafeinthesun/index
http://www.extension.org/pages/32345/playing-it-safe-in-the-summer-heat-sun
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.asp
Live Healthy Live Well 
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