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Summer is officially here. Follow these tips to have fun and keep you and your family safe, wherever you spend your sunny days.
Get outside! Get plenty of exercise and sun this summer. However, be sure to protect your skin and eyes by using hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The sun’s rays are most harsh between 10am and 4pm. Drink water often to prevent dehydration, especially when exercising outdoors. Watch children closely when in or near a pool or body of water.
Prevent mosquito bites. Be especially cautious when traveling to areas with high risk of virus transmission from mosquitos. Wear insect repellent when outdoors, and be sure the insect repellent is registered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and para-menthane-diol products provide long-lasting protection. (Source: CDC www.cdc.gov/features/stopmosquitoes/.)
Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit. Try a local farmer’s market or even planting your own in your backyard, in a community garden, or maybe a small herb garden right on your kitchen windowsill. Visit the Living Well website to find details that colleagues have shared about local community gardens and markets and what’s in season: www.livingwell.utsystem.edu/nutrition_markets.htm.
Keep food safe. Pack fresh food like meats, salads, and eggs in a cooler with ice and frozen gel packs when traveling and keep the cooler in the shade. Let foods stay frozen before packing so they will stay cold longer. Never let food stay out for more than one hour in hot weather (above 90°F), and discard food if left out longer. Also, throw away any food left out for more than two hours. Practicing food safety lowers the risk of foodborne illness. (Source: USDA)
Plan a vacation. Whether it’s leaving town or staying home and taking some time away from your usual activities, a vacation is a great way to relax and rejuvenate. Want to take it a step further? Try a vacation from technology as well. Disconnect from the internet, turn off your phone if possible, and stay away from the television.
Stay safe on the move. Wear seatbelts when traveling by car, wear helmets when cycling, and wear lifejackets when boating. Proper safety gear saves lives and going without is not worth the risk.
