Summer is when most of us spend a lot of time outside in the sun. Whether it’s going to the beach, hanging out in the garden or sunbathing by the pool, it is that time of year when most people are likely to get a tan and a few get melanoma. So, you need to protect yourself whilst you’re out having fun and enjoying the sights and sounds of your vacation spot. That said, here’s what you need to do this summer.
Avoid Getting Sunburns
Do you remember having sunburns when you were little? Chances are they weren’t as common then as they seem to be now, right? Well, the apparant increase in sunburns isn’t something you’ve imagined. The earth is getting hotter and the ozone layer is getting thinner. What does this mean for you this summer?
It means you are more than likely to get some serious sunburns compared to the past if you don’t take the necessary precautions. This includes staying in the shade and out of direct sunlight, particularly between the hours of noon and 4pm.
This is because the UVA and UVB rays are strongest during that time of the day. Also, make sure to use creams with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. This will protect you and keep you from getting sunburns or catching melanoma.
Use Your AC More
This is one that most of you probably are already doing. The AC is usually on and works the most during the summer, so take advantage of the work it’s already doing. Yes, we know you want to get that tan, but you won’t get it by getting roasted in the sun.
Go in the house and stay cool if it starts getting too hot for comfort wherever you are – shade or no – and stay inside until the heat is bearable. Heat waves are real during the summer. Avoid being a victim of heat illness. Turn up the AC – hopefully you have one with a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of between 16 and 21 – and enjoy.
Wear a Hat, Sunglasses or Clothes
If you’re not spending time by the pool or at the beach, make sure to wear a long sleeve (ideally one made from light and airy cotton materials) shirt or top to prevent your arms from getting sunburned. You should also wear a hat or face cap and sunglasses.
Get the sunglasses that are specifically meant to protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays. Except for wearing long sleeve tops, the same applies to everyone who will be spending time at the beach or outside in the sun.
Drink Lots of Fluid
It’s the summer and you can quickly get dehydrated. So, drink lots and lots of fluids. Water is more than sufficient, but you could also settle for other cooling non-alcoholic beverages if you’re chilling by the poolside or the beach. As a rule, you should drink at least 64 ounces of water if you’ll be spending the entire day outside. So, whether you’re hiking, doing long treks, going on a picnic, or just playing lawn tennis, drink up.
Stay Away From Poison Ivy
This is particularly for those who intend to go hiking in the hills, visiting parks, exploring botanical gardens, or anywhere else there will be plants for that matter. Always be on the lookout for poison ivy. One contact and it could ruin your summer. Contact with urushiol from a poison ivy bush results in a very itchy scratch that can transform into blisters. Since it takes about a while – usually one to four days – for the itch to manifest, you may come in contact with it without even knowing.
So, make sure you do a Google image search so you know what to look for if you don’t already. In the event of contact, wash the spot with water, dab dry, and apply hydrocortisone cream to the spot. It’ll help reduce the intensity of the itch. Use creams containing bentoquatam to prevent any direct contact with your skin if you’re just going out.
Finally, remember to have fun this summer and enjoy your vacations.
Oscar King tends to spend most of his time outdoors, and has learned through trial and error exactly how to keep safe in the summer heat. To help exploit the increasing intensity of the sun’s rays, and to also help offset the cost of running your AC, he highly recommends installing solar panels such as those provided by BobHeinmiller Solar in Orlando. You can find out more about Oscar, including more examples of his writing, on Google+.
Great tips! Summer is coming and as temps go up, so does your AC bill. I can’t recommend getting home solar panels enough!