Summer-time is here we are all anxious to get outside and enjoy the sun and all the warm weather fun. The Carolinas has and an almost endless number of summer activities and places to enjoy including the beaches and hiking in the mountains. See the Summer Fun in the Carolinas article for some helpful links.

Keeping safety in mind could prevent a trip to the Emergency Room, a ruined vacation from a bad case of sunburn and painful insect bite. While the sun begs us to come out and enjoy day, The Sun Safety Alliance (www.sunsafetyalliance.org) wants everyone to be aware of the damage too much sun can do. They have concluded that there is a serious lack of awareness on how to UV index in planning outdoor activities. Skin cancer is becoming more and more prevalent as we soak up the sun without proper protection or understanding the dangers of overexposure.

For starters, the UV Index, predicts the next day’s ultraviolet radiation levels on a scale of 1-11+, with recommended protective actions for different levels. The UV Index scale ranges from 2 or less: low; 3-5:moderate; 6-7: high; 8-10: very high; and 11+ extreme.

They recommend thse simply safety tips:

• Apply sunscreen that protects against both
• UVA and UVB rays whenever you’re outdoors
• Adults should use sunscreen with
• SPF 15 or higher
• Children should use SPF 30 or higher
• Apply sunscreen every two hours, and after swimming, perspiring, or toweling off
• Wear UV protective sunglasses
• Wear a hat with a wide brim
• Seek shade at peak sun hours

The Red Cross is always a great resource for safety guidelines. Take a few minutes to look over these special summer tips. I bet there is something you’ve never considered but might find helpful. Go to the Red Cross’s site for more details.

www.redcross.org/services/hss/sumsafety/

Swimming

• Swim in supervised areas
• Obey all rules and posted signs.
• Don't mix alcohol and swimming.
• Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts

Camping

• Review the equipment and supplies needed. Recommended items include a cell phone, compass, first aid kit, food and water, flashlight, matches, insect repellant, radio with batteries and emergency signaling devices, map and sunscreen.
• Before going, check weather conditions and be sure to leave a copy of trip itinerary with family or friends.
• It's safest to hike or camp with at least one companion
• After being outdoors or if outdoors for a long period, perform a tick check.

Water Safety at the Beach

• Learn to swim.
• Never swim alone.
• Check surf and weather conditions before entering the water
• Swimmers should approach the water with caution in the beginning to become familiar with the environment and know abilities and limits.
• Stay within the designated swimming area.
• Stay away from piers, pilings, and diving platforms when in the water.
• Make sure to always have enough energy to swim back to shore.
• Don't try to swim against a current if caught in one. Swim gradually out of the current, by swimming across it.
• Pack a "safety" bag for a day at the beach or lake. Water-proof sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher, water shoes to keep feet safe from the heat and objects on land and in the water and plenty of water are must haves. All containers should be plastic to prevent injuries from breaking glass.

Having a great time outdoors means that we are all going to come in contact with plenty of insects and even some snakes. Most are not poisonous but bites and stings can be a real ”pain.” An excellent site for identifying what critters are poisonous in the North Carolina Poison Center’s site at www.ncpoisoncenter.org/. In addition to bugs and snakes, there is lots and lots of information on all things poisonous.

According to the site, only two spiders in North Carolina are poisonous to humans; the black widow and the brown recluse. Go to the site for great pictures and information on where they can be found. You might be surprised to learn that these spiders could be right outside your house. If you are bitten by a poisonous spider, you need to wash the area with warm, soapy water and call the Carolinas Poison Center immediately at 800-222-1222.

Besides the two spiders, the web site lists notes that ticks, bees, wasps and hornets can be toxic or even deadly to people who are allergic to them. The Poison Center notes that in North Carolina, the saddleback and puss caterpillars are toxic.

The American Academy of Pediatrics gives the following advice for bug safety for children:

• Don't use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
• Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
• Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
• To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.
• Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.
• Insect repellents containing DEET are most effective against ticks and mosquitoes, and can prevent Lyme Disease.
• The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10 percent to over 30 percent. The benefits of DEET reach a peak at a concentration of 30 percent, the maximum concentration currently recommended for infants and children. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.
• The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase.

Most snakes in our region are not venomous and not aggressive. If bitten by a nonvenomous snake, make sure you wash the area with warm soapy water. A tetanus shot may be needed. If you are bitten by a poisonous snake call the Poison Center! In North Carolina, there are five types of snakes that are poisonous. Go to the site for photos. These snakes are:

1. Southern Copperhead
2. Cottonmouths (water moccasins)
3. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
4. Timber Rattlesnake
5. Coral Snakes

In addition to the summer safety tips we’ve already listed, children need a few extra precautions during the summer. For details and a lot more great information, go to www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/summertips

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these tips:

Babies under 6 months:

• Avoid sun exposure and dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck. Parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen with at least 15 SPF to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands.

Young Children:

• Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15.

Older Children:

• The best line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
• Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water and sand as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.

Becoming overheated in the hot, hot summers of the Carolinas can be avoided if parents remember these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
• Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 90 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
• Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat.
• Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted.

Summer means more trips to the playground for most children. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists several tips for making sure that trip is as safe as possible:

• The playground should have safety-tested mats or loose-fill materials maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches.
• Equipment should be carefully maintained.
• Swing seats should be made of soft materials such as rubber, plastic or canvas.
• Make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body part.
• Never attach—or allow children to attach—ropes, jump ropes, leashes, or similar items to play equipment; children can strangle on these.
• Make sure metal slides are cool to prevent children's legs from getting burned.
• Parents should supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.

Have a tip you want to share with your neighbors? Email us at [email protected].