6 Health Risks To Watch Out For This Summer
Now that September has finally begun, it won’t be long until autumn begins and the cold weather sets in. That being said, there is still some summer to get through, and with that comes a number of health risks. When the sun is shining, and the weather is warm, most of us want to be outside and make the most of it. Unfortunately, unless you’re careful, this can put your health in danger. With that in mind, here are six summer health risks you need to watch out for.
Food Poisoning
Summertime brings weather that is perfect for picnics and barbeques, but it also sees a spike in cases of food poisoning. When you’re leaving your food out in the sun for too long, and you’re not checking to make sure that it’s properly cooked in the first place, it can lead to food-borne illness. To protect yourself and your family, ensure you follow guidelines about food handling and safety.
Dehydration
In the summer heat, dehydration can happen quickly, which is why you should make sure that you know the symptoms of dehydration in adults and children and always have water to drink when you’re out in the heat. Children may not ask for water themselves, so be sure you ask your kids frequently if they need a drink and take frequent water breaks during your summer activities.
Heat Stroke
During heat stroke, your body’s core temperature rises, making it an incredibly serious and potentially life-threatening medical condition. For this reason, you should do what you can to prevent it, by wearing light clothes and sunscreen, drinking plenty of water, and staying out of the sun when it’s at its peak. If you think someone is suffering heat stroke, make sure you call 911.
Drowning
Swimming is a fun way to cool off in the summer heat, but it can also lead to tragedy. Every single year, the cases of pool-related accidents spikes throughout the summer, so it’s vital that you’re sensible around water. Never go swimming when you’ve been drinking, keep rescue equipment handy, understand pool and swim safety, and never leave your kids to swim alone.
Eye Damage
Most people know not to look directly into the sun, but that won’t always keep you safe from eye damage. The UV rays in sunlight can still cause some harm, even you’re sensible enough to keep your eyes on the ground. To prevent this, you should invest in some sunglasses that filter out this damaging UV light. Make sure you wear them on sunny days, especially around water.
Skin Cancer
There’s nothing wrong with wanting an attractive summer glow, but that doesn’t mean you should put your health at risk to get it. When you’re spending too long out in the sun, and aren’t protecting yourself with sunscreen, you’re leaving yourself at a higher risk to develop skin cancer. To stay safe, make sure you stay inside during peak hours and get a free skin cancer screening.
Summer might be almost over, but you still need to take care and watch out for the potential risks. Hopefully, with the information above, you and your family can stay happy and healthy.