Warmer weather and longer days allow the community to take advantage of the Colorado sunshine and have fun exploring the great outdoors. It’s important to take precautionary steps to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy — all summer long.

Common health issues for patients during the summertime include overexposure to the heat of the sun, bites from pesky insects and accidents while participating in outdoor or water-related activities. To prevent accidents or mishaps this summer, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind throughout the hotter months.

Avoid Sun-Related Issues

Sunburns are a major issue for people of all ages every summer, which is why July is designated as UV Safety Month. While getting your daily dose of Vitamin D, try wearing hats and covering any exposed skin by wearing loose-fitting, breathable clothing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday, so plan activities to be indoors during that time; if this is not possible, seek shade or shelter under a tree or umbrella.

Sunburns can have long-term consequences on your health, which is why sunscreen is incredibly important, especially with increased time spent in the sun. Health experts recommend applying sunscreen with at least SPF 15 every time you go outside, at least 30 minutes before you head outdoors. Reapply generously every hour or so, especially when swimming or sweating.

Heat-related issues also create a good number of emergency calls. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can come on very quickly. The key to avoiding these illnesses is to ensure you are staying well-hydrated by drinking water, Gatorade or another electrolyte-based beverage to minimize any electrolyte imbalances that occur from sweating too much. Pouring cold water on your head is another great way to quickly cool off the brain when overheated.

Never leave your child or pets in the car — the temperature inside a car can rise by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  An internal body temperature of 107 degrees is fatal for a child, and their body temperature rises about three to five times faster than that of an adult.

Protection From Pests

Pests, such as mosquitoes, ticks and snakes, are active during the summer. Wear shoes outdoors to prevent insect and snake bites and utilize bug spray when you head outside. Bug repellents that contain DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon or eucalyptus or IR 3535 offer the best protection.

Mosquito bites are usually harmless, but these itchy bumps can sometimes be more than a bother — they can carry the Zika and West Nile virus, as well as Lyme Disease. Ticks are generally harmless but can cause allergic reactions and may require an in-clinic removal when bites are engorged or swollen.

Preventing Water Accidents

According to the CDC, from 1999 to 2017, 8,178 people in the U.S. drowned either in swimming pools or natural water — an average of over 430 deaths in July annually. There were also 1,617 fatalities from watercraft or boating accidents in July alone over these 19 years.

Going for a swim is a great way to cool off in the summertime but practicing water safety is imperative; ensure you never swim alone and that you always keep an eye on your children — even if they know how to swim. Do not let your children swim in the deep end of a swimming pool or in deep waters until they are skilled enough to do so safely. If your children do not know how to swim, investing in swim lessons could save their lives.

The Emergency Department at Prowers Medical Center is available 24/7 for our community’s emergent needs. If an accident occurs this summer, call 911 or seek professional medical care immediately. Falls and head injuries need to be addressed as soon as possible.