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sizzling heat
• Wear clothing with a tight weave. Or hats.
Wear hats - wide
brimmed for good sun protection. And don't forget the hats for the
children, the babies.
•
Wear sunglasses. Look for sunglasses that block
99-100% of the ultraviolet rays, both UVA and
UVB. And don't forget
the sunglasses for the kids.
• Use sunscreen - the
SPF should be at least 15.
You can get sunburns on cloudy
days. Reapply the sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming
or sweating.
•
Be aware of any medications you take. Some
make you more prone to sun sensitivity.
heat
and humidity
•
Drink water. Begin any activity well hydrated.
During an activity, even if you do not feel thirsty,
drink a glass of water every 15-30 minutes.
Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and sodas,
will de-hydrate the body.
• Use caution
when high heat and humidity are
present. When possible, for any activity
lasting more than 15 minutes,
reduce the level of
activity.
• When traveling to a warmer or more humid
climate, limit your activity
initially and gradually ease yourself into an activity. Allow your body to
acclimate to the higher heat or
humidity.
• Wear one layer of
clothing. Absorbent material is
best. Replace sweat-saturated
clothes with dry ones.
bugs and
plants
Now is the time for an
increased number of insects and plants, some with pretty flowers just
asking to be picked and maybe
stuck in the mouth of a
little one.
•
Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate. A few
examples are flower garden's attract bees and wasps,
ponds attract yellow jackets, and stagnant water
attracts mosquitoes.
•
Bright colored clothing or flowery prints tend to
attract unwanted flying insects, such as bees and
wasps.
• Be aware of any allergies to things such as bee
stings or mosquito bites. Carry the appropriate
medications or emergency phone numbers with
you.
·
If you live
in, travel to or camp in an area with
ticks, be
sure to check your body and clothing on a
daily basis
for ticks and bites.
·
If you
choose to use an insect repellent, be aware of
the dangers,
especially around young children.
·
Choose nontoxic fertilizers, insecticides and
gardening supplies.
·
Know the
plants you or your children are around.
While some
plants can be eaten, many that are
pretty to
look at are poisonous to you and your pets.
Most of us
are aware of poison ivy and poison oak.
Just a few
others to be aware of are delphiniums,
larkspurs,
oleanders, sweet peas, jasmine and
foxgloves.
·
While some plants are poisonous, others present
different dangers. Beware of rose beds or other
thorny plants such as cactus.
·
Mushrooms
can be highly nutritious and can also be
very
deadly. They grow in many locations. Don't
pick mushrooms unless you really know which ones
 are
edible. Teach your children that mushrooms
growing in the yard are not to
be picked and ate. |
