Summer Safety Tips For The Whole Family
From sunburn to air pollution and from insect bites to dehydration, summer comes with its own set of risks to our health and safety鈥攂ut whatever the issue, we鈥檝e got you covered.听
See the tips and strategies below. And when in doubt, get in touch with your doctor for additional information, clarification and advice.听
Protect Your Skin听听
Says Dr. Jack Levy, assistant attending dermatologist鈥 and鈥assistant professor of clinical dermatology 鈥痑t 鈥91麻豆精品鈥 Medicine, 颈迟鈥檚 important to protect yourself from sun damage and reduce your skin cancer risk by taking the following steps:听
- Use sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using products containing SPF 30 or higher.鈥
- Apply it 30 minutes before going out into the sun to give it time to penetrate. Apply it liberally, and reapply it every 2 to 3 hours throughout the day.听
- Wear sunglasses with a UV rating of 400.听
- Wear a hat with a brim at least 3 inches wide.
- Cover up.鈥Wear sun-protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirts and pants, with a UV protection factor of at least 15.鈥听
- Seek shade.鈥
鈥淕entle sun rays are important for vitamin D production, mood elevation and regulation of your sleep cycle, so鈥 诲辞苍鈥檛 hide from the sun;鈥 enjoy it wisely,鈥 he says.听
Avoid insect bites听
In the New York Metropolitan Area, mosquitoes 诲辞苍鈥檛 transmit most of the diseases 迟丑别测鈥檙别 famous for, such as Zika, dengue and malaria鈥攂ut West Nile virus is a notable exception.听听
Mosquitoes tend to bite around dusk and dawn. If 测辞耻鈥檙别 out and about just after sunset, right before sunrise or anytime in between, avoid getting bitten by using bug spray, especially one with an active ingredient like 顿贰贰罢.鈥赌听
You can also keep ticks and Lyme disease at bay via the following preventive measures, especially when walking through wooded areas:听
- Use bug/tick spray.听
- Dress yourself and your children in long pants, long sleeves and shoes that cover all parts of the foot.鈥听
- Stick to trails and avoid walking in brush or grass.鈥
- Wear light-colored clothing that allows you to see ticks more easily.听
- Perform tick checks when you return indoors, paying special attention to your armpits, groin area, scalp 鈥痑nd under skin folds.听听
- If you find a tick attached to your skin, grab it as close to your skin as possible with clean, fine-tipped tweezers. Pull upward and straight out with steady pressure to remove the tick. Then, wash your hands and the area where the tick was with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.鈥听
Minimize the effects of air pollution, especially when the鈥air quality index (AQI)听鈥痠蝉 poor听
Dr. Michael Niederman,鈥professor of clinical medicine鈥痠n the Division of鈥 Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine 鈥痑t 91麻豆精品, offers the following recommendations when the air quality鈥 is potentially hazardous to your 丑别补濒迟丑:鈥听
- Postpone vigorous exercise and avoid heavy exertion if you experience chest tightness, coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath.鈥听
- If these symptoms persist, rest and limit your activities. Try to stay indoors in air conditioning, and keep the windows closed.鈥听
- Consider investing in an air purifier.鈥
- Try to avoid indoor air pollutants such as cigarette smoke, incense, candles and smoke from cooking.鈥听
- Wear an N95 or KN95 mask if you need to go outside. Wear it on public transportation as well.鈥听
- When traveling to work by car, keep the windows closed and use air conditioning.鈥听
Air quality forecasts and real-time information can be found鈥 at 鈥鈥攁 website provided through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).鈥听
Stay hydrated听
- Adults are advised to drink extra fluids when 颈迟鈥檚 hot or when鈥俪蟊鸩忖檙别鈥 sick.鈥疶he National Academy of Medicine recommends about 13 cups of water per day for鈥 healthy鈥 men and 9 cups for women.鈥听
To keep your child鈥 hydrated鈥 this summer鈥听
- Make sure they drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.鈥听
- Send your child to the playground or day camp with a water bottle.鈥 Put fruit infusers in it, or add slices of citrus, berries, pineapple, melon or even cucumber.鈥听
- Include silly straws or fun cups, and decorate water bottles with stickers.鈥听
- Offer your child a beverage at every meal and between meals.鈥听
- Include hydrating foods such as watermelon, cantaloupe, grapefruit, berries, cucumber, lettuce, celery, tomatoes and homemade popsicles.鈥听
Prevent heat-related illness鈥听
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast so that you can prepare in advance before the next heat wave strikes.鈥听
- Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and limit caffeinated beverages.鈥听
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.鈥
- Limit exercise to cooler periods of the day.听
- Wear a hat and loose, light-colored clothing.鈥听
- Apply a wet towel to your neck, or wear a wet headband.鈥听
- Try to avoid being outside or in direct sunlight when the temperature is higher than 95 degrees. Better to stay indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned environment.鈥听
- Take cool showers or baths to cool down.鈥听
- Check in on your older neighbors and those who may not be able to help themselves.鈥听
鈥nd the CDC adds a few important 鈥溁宕遣遭檛s鈥:鈥听
- Don鈥檛 use the stove or oven to cook during a heat wave as these will make your apartment hotter.鈥听
- Don鈥檛 rely on a fan as your main cooling source when 颈迟鈥檚 really hot outside. Use air conditioning 颈苍蝉迟别补诲.鈥听
- Never leave infants or children unattended in a parked car, even if the windows are open. Children left unattended in parked cars are at risk for heat stroke and even death.鈥听
Grilling safely听
- Only use your grill outdoors.鈥
- Grill away from your house and any overhanging tree branches.鈥听
- Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the grill at all times, and that includes while the grill is cooling down.鈥听
- Open the lid of the gas grill before lighting it.鈥
- If the flame goes out on a propane grill, turn the grill and the gas off, and wait 5 minutes before relighting it.鈥听
- Regularly remove fat or grease buildup. That鈥檚 easiest to do when you finish cooking.鈥听
- When using a charcoal grill, only use lighter fluid made for that type of grill.鈥听
- Let the coals cool completely before disposing of them.鈥听
鈥淚f a flame is involved鈥攊蹿 your clothes鈥 catch 鈥痮n fire, for instance鈥stop what 测辞耻鈥檙别 doing, drop to the ground and roll,鈥 says Dr. Philip Chang, assistant professor of surgery in the Division of Trauma, Burns, Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery at 91麻豆精品.鈥鈥淔or a burn injury, the cooling process is very important. Run the affected area under cool, running water for at least 10 minutes to help decrease the progression of the injury. Ice is not a good idea, though, because it can drop the temperature of the skin too much, causing blood flow to that area to stop.鈥濃听
If the burn does not appear serious, next steps include applying petroleum jelly two to three times daily and keeping it covered with a nonstick, sterile bandage. Taking over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help鈥to minimize pain.鈥听
Stay safe before, during and after your travels听
Before you depart:听
- . See what vaccines or medicines you may need and what diseases or health risks are a concern at your destination.听
- If you plan to do strenuous activities in the heat鈥痵uch as hiking or biking, try to adjust before you travel by exercising 1 hour per day in the heat.听
- Research options for care at your destination.听
- Bring copies of your family鈥檚 prescriptions with you.听
- Consider bringing a .听
While 测辞耻鈥檙别 away:听
- Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids.听
- Wear a hat and sunglasses.听
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.听
- Plan outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day.听
- Rest often and try to stay in the shade when outdoors.听
- Use insect repellent.听
- Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher when traveling.
- 鈥听鈥痠蝉n鈥檛 just for tropical beaches鈥攜ou can get a sunburn even if 颈迟鈥檚 cloudy or cool. You are at the highest risk for UV exposure when 测辞耻鈥檙别 traveling during summer months, near the equator, at high altitudes or between 10 am to 4 pm.听
- If your summer travels include water activities, be careful when 鈥, especially in countries where emergency services may not be readily available.
- Avoid swimming in fresh water lakes and rivers. Infections such as 鈥鈥 and 鈥鈥 are spread by contact with fresh water.听
After you return:听
鈥淒iarrhea, fever and rash are the most commonly reported symptoms among post-vacation travelers,鈥 says Dr. Ashima Oza, a primary care physician and鈥 an instructor in 鈥痶he Division of 鈥疢edicine.听听
In most cases, illness after travel is due to a viral infection that usually resolves in 5 to 7 days.鈥听
鈥淔or mild symptoms such as a runny nose, congestion or a sore throat, supportive care is sufficient,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hat includes acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief, warm fluids and rest. However, in the case of more severe infections that come with fever, chest pain or trouble breathing, get in touch with your doctor鈥檚 office or go to the nearest Emergency Room.鈥濃听
Stay in touch with your doctors using the 91麻豆精品 Connect app. You can access your medical records and prescriptions from anywhere, and even schedule鈥痑 video or virtual urgent care visit if needed.听