Winters in upstate New York often give way slowly to spring and summer. The sunshine they bring with them is a welcome relief from many months of gray skies. To enjoy the mild weather “to the max”, consider the following safety tips.

Keep safe from the sun! Its rays are beautiful but burning!

For infants:
Keep them inside during the hottest part of the day (10am to 4pm)
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight
Dress in lightweight, long sleeved outfits
Use a hat to protect the scalp, face and eyes
Use sunscreen very sparingly in those under six months!

For children and adults:
Limit the amount of skin exposed to the sun; choose lightweight outfits that cover arms and legs, when possible
Apply sun screen (rated SPF 15 or more) 30 minutes before going outside and
reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity between the hours of 10am and 4pm
Seek out shady areas when out of doors in the middle of the day

Be Aware of the Signs of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

Both conditions are related to exposure to high temperatures and poor fluid intake - so drink up if you are exposed to the hot summer sun!

Heat Exhaustion has the following symptoms:
Heavy sweating
Muscle cramps
Feeling weak and tired
Dizziness and headache
Nausea and vomiting
Fainting

Heat Stroke is more serious and symptoms are:
High body temperature
The absence of sweating with flushed skin
Rapid pulse and difficulty breathing
Confusion and disorientation
Rarely, seizures and comas can result.

Heat Stroke is a medical emergency Call 9-1-1! While you are waiting, try to cool the
victim; move them into the shade, apply cool water to the skin, remove clothing, etc.

Better yet, practice prevention! Prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke by drinking lots of fluids and pacing yourself on very hot days. That, along with protecting you skin from the sun's burning rays, will add to your enjoyment of summer's fun and festivities.

Water Safety for Kids of all Ages

When it's hazy, hot and humid, many of us look to swimming and other water sports to "beat the heat". Here are some tips that will help keep you safe:

 

• Don't go it alone! Even the best swimmers may need help sometimes. ;A buddy can provide that help.
• Know your limits! If you are not a strong swimmer, stay near the shore or at the shallow end of the pool.
• Look for the lifeguard and swim where it is safe! Lakes can have steep drop-offs and oceans can have “rip-tides” so be familiar with your swimming hole before jumping in.
• Know what do if someone gets in trouble! Learn CPR and take life saving courses.
• If you have young children, make sure they are always supervised. Toddlers can drown in a few inches of water.
• Practice sun safety! Sunlight reflecting off water can burn your skin to a crisp. Apply sunscreen before you go swimming and after, too. Stay in the shade whenever you can - suntans aren't worth risking skin cancer.
• Don't dive unless you have checked out how deep the water is. Teens who don't look before they dive account for a large percentage of the spinal cord injuries and related deaths each year.
• Be sure you drink plenty of (non-alcoholic) fluids - it is easy to get dehydrated while having fun in the sun.

Boating brings with it another set of concerns. No one plans to have an accident, but they do happen. Here are some tips for boaters:

• Always have a flotation device for each person on the boat
• Don't drink and drive! Alcohol and water safety just don't mix.
• Take care and be aware! You are sharing the water with swimmers, kayakers, sail boats and others, and a speedboat's propellers or even their wakes can cause hazards for others.
• Head for shore when you hear thunder or see thunderclouds - water conducts electricity when lightening hits and lightening can kill.

What about the water parks?

• Follow the rules posted for each ride.
• Don't go down slides headfirst! You only have one spinal cord, so protect it!
• Don't go to the park or take your children there if you have any symptoms of a stomach flu or gastrointestinal distress. Chlorine is a good cleansing agent, but some germs can withstand it, at least for a while. There have been outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis and other waterborne infections caused by contamination of re-circulated water.

For more information on having fun in the water and the sun, please see the following link:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/healthy_swimming_a_to_z.htm

June 2007