How to Stay Safe While Enjoying Time Outside!
It’s time again for school breaks, summer vacations, and making memories outdoors. Remember, enjoying the outdoors comes with great responsibility! (That doesn’t sound fun, does it?) So, we put together a list of ways that you can enjoy the summer months while making sure you are safe, healthy, and taken care of. Follow our tips and be sure to document your summer activities so you can enjoy them for years to come!
- Hydrate and eat for the summer months: It’s true, eating healthy, lighter food during summer will keep your energy up and help you to stay active. Staying hydrated is key as well, drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day when not being active, and even more when you are sweating and burning extra calories. Drinking water every 20 minutes is a good rule of thumb. Great summer food choices include chilled fruits, salads, healthy fats like avocados and nuts, salsa and veggie chips, or grilled, lean meats and vegetables.
- Protect your skin: Keep the sunburns at bay with high SPF sunscreens, UBV protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and other protective gear. If you are snorkeling or surfing, be sure to wear a sunblock-rated rash guard to protect your shoulders and back from the beating rays of the sun on the water. Keep your lips from burning and cracking using sunblock chap-stick or zinc lipsticks.
- Guard yourself from bugs: Avoid using scented body spray, lotion, and soaps to keep bugs away or be “unattractive” to the pests in the area. Stay away from resting pools of water and be sure to drain any around your home to prevent bugs from laying eggs in the water and surrounding areas. If you are hiking, utilize DEET bug spray or other forms of bug repellants.
- Protect your pets: Be sure to bring your four-legged friend’s flea and tick protection when going on hikes or exploring the outdoors with pets. Check for fleas and ticks upon return from a hike or camping trip, before you bring your pets inside the house. This will prevent any potential pests from making their way inside.
- Wear proper clothing: If you are hiking in an area that has tall grass or foliage, wear long pants, hiking boots, and socks to prevent being bitten and prevent tick issues. Consider wearing a full brim hat (all the way around) to protect your face, ears, and neck from the sun. Wearing long sleeves and pants in wooded areas is best and be sure to shower when you return home to wash off bug repellent, sunscreen, and any ticks or bugs that have not yet attached to your body. (You should also check for ticks if you were in an area known for ticks.) Be sure to wear sandals or tennis shoes when playing I the grass, as bees that are on the ground are often cause for bee stings on the bottoms of feet.
Have Fun and Stay Safe This Summer!
Spontaneous adventures are fun, but a little planning goes a long way. Be prepared for your adventures so that you don’t have sunburns or bug bites as souvenirs. Follow our tips above to be sure you are protected from ticks, bees, and the sun.
