Summer safety suggestions to keep in mind
SHELBY- School is out and sweet summertime has arrived. However, with summer comes people wanting to be outdoors more which can lead to more sickness and injuries. Richland Public Health has provided some basic safety tips in their monthly health report to make sure everyone’s summer is the best yet.
Sunshine is one sure sign of summer and with sunshine comes heat. Richland Public Health advised in their health report that too much exposure to both the sun and heat can be detrimental to those who are young and old.
In the health report from Richland Public Health, it was recommended to check the weather forecast prior to doing any outdoor activities. This includes checking the heat index and the UV index. Avoiding the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is strongly suggested by Richland Public Health due to the sun being at its peak in this time frame.
Staying hydrated and wearing plenty of sunscreen is recommended. Wearing SPF greater than 15 is suggested if people must be outdoors in this time frame.
Another factor individuals must remember when dealing with warmer temperatures involves their vehicles. Richland Public Health stated in their health report that temperatures inside a car can get 20 degrees hotter in just as short as 10 minutes. Children, older adults or pets should never be left alone in the car during summer, Richland Public Health stated in their health report.
Having cookouts with family and friends is a great summer activity. Practicing food safety is the best way to keep everyone healthy and enjoying their summer. Richland Health suggests in their health report to always wash hands and the cooking surfaces frequently and to make sure to separate raw meats from anything else. Foods must also be cooked to the correct temperature.
Unfortunately, with summer typically means the presence of more bugs. However, there are many ways to prevent bug bites such as mosquitoes and ticks.
Richland Public Health recommended in their health report a way to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs is to make sure there is no standing water in the area. It is also recommended by Richland Public Health in their health report to dispose of old tires, dump any remaining water from flowerpots and keep pools and birdbaths clean with fresh water.
For those who enjoy a hike in the summer, Richland Public Health stated in their health report to wear long sleeves and pants to prevent ticks from biting. It is also suggested to check for ticks on clothing and pets after any activity has been done while outdoors.
Follow these tips to make sure summer is fun and safe!