School is out – and vacations, swimming, summer camps, and playing outside are in!
But these activities can cause unwanted health problems such as sunburn, heat-related illness, swimming injuries or drowning, and illness related to tick bites.
Review this checklist to keep you and your family safe and healthy this summer.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun
- Sunburns are painful, and too much sun can lead to serious health issues, including cancer.
- CDC recommends sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 or higher with both UVA and UVB protection for all skin tones.
- Reduce sun exposure between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Apply a thick layer and reapply sunscreen at least every two hours and after swimming, sweating and toweling off.
- Seeking shade, wearing a shirt and hat will also help protect against dangerous UV radiation.
Stay Cool
- Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable. Despite this fact there were more than 4,000 emergency department and urgent care visits for heat-related illness in Virginia last summer.
- Heat-related illness ranges from mild (heat cramps) to severe (heat stroke, death). It occurs when the body is unable to properly cool itself.
- Tips to avoid heat-related illness when planning to be outside: make sure you pack water to stay hydrated, dress for the heat, take breaks if you need to, and look out for symptoms of overheating, such as headache, nausea, dizziness, heavy sweating, or fainting.
Prepare and Handle Food Correctly
- Thaw and marinate food in the refrigerator. Cook food to a safe internal temperature. Store cooked food in a hot holding area (like an insulated container).
- Keep food cold with ice packs. Don’t let food sit out for more than two hours, or for one hour if the temperatures are higher than 90 degrees.
- Don’t cross-contaminate.
- Wash fresh produce before cutting. Use clean utensils and wash/sanitize in between use.
- Store raw meat on the bottom shelf to avoid meat juices from dripping on other food.
- Wash your hands before, during and after handling food.
- Use your grill correctly and outside.
- Learn more.
Practice Water Safety
- It’s important to teach children basic water safety skills to prevent drowning.
- Children should:
- Understand the differences between swimming pools and open bodies of water, including river currents and ocean undertow.
- Learn to swim and know how to jump into water over their heads, tread water for one minute, float on their backs and exit a swimming pool without a ladder.
- Adults should:
- Always actively watch children when they are in or near water.
- Make sure a home pool is gated and locked.
Prevent Tick Bites
When planning to be outside use EPA-approved tick repellants and check for ticks at the end of the day.
Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations
Ensure your family is up to date on vaccinations. Illnesses such as measles, chickenpox, and whooping cough can spread quickly in a camp setting.
Practice Good Hygiene
Pack hand sanitizer and talk to your child about how to wash their hands.
Prioritizing this list will help ensure a healthy and safe summer.