Summer Safety:Stay Cool and Stay SAFE
There’s no mistaking it – summer is in full swing in California. Temperatures have peaked the past few weeks, leaving residents to seek shelter indoors from the blazing sun. So how can you “beat the heat” and still enjoy all the splendors of summer? Here are some things to think about: STAYING COOL: Staying cool and preventing dehydration is vital in warm weather. When high temperatures are combined with humidity, the danger increases as the ability to perspire becomes more difficult. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 318 people die each year in the United States from heat related illnesses, including heat stroke. No one is immune to the harmful effects of the heat, but children, seniors, outdoor workers, and athletes are most at risk. To stay cool during the summer months, experts recommend the following: 1.Drink plenty of fluids – The steadfast rule is to drink before you feel thirsty, because by the time you realize you need a drink, your body is already dehydrated. Beverages to fill up on include water and electrolyte replacing sports beverages such as Gatorade. Drinking two to five times your normal amount of liquid will help keep you healthy while outdoors. Avoid alcoholic beverages and drinks containing caffeine as both promote dehydration. 2.Wear loose -fitting, light-colored clothing – Dark-colored clothing tends to draw heat in while light-colored garments allow the skin to breathe. Consider wearing a hat when outdoors. 3.Avoid the sun during peak hours – Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. the sun’s rays are the strongest. Avoid the sun whenever possible during these times and instead, plan your outings for the morning or evening hours. Even when it is cloudy outdoors, UV rays are still damaging your skin, and if you are in water or near sand, the damage is greater. 4.Wear sunscreen – Wearing a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater (SPF 30 is recommended by the FDA) is imperative for avoiding sunburn and preventing Skin Cancer. This is important for all skin tones. Darker skin tones, though they often take longer to burn, are also susceptible to UV damage and Skin Cancer. An SPF of 30, for example, allows you to stay in the sun approximately 30 times longer without burning. Be sure to reapply sunscreen liberally after exposure to water or extreme perspiration. If you feel you are starting to burn despite using sunscreen, it’s best to get out of the heat altogether. Signs of Dehydration:
1. Headache
2. Dry lips and tongue
3. Weakness, dizziness, or extreme fatigue
4. Nausea
5. Muscle Cramps
Signs of Heat Stroke:
1. High fever – over 105 degrees
2. Throbbing headache
3. Failure to sweat
4. Rapid pulse
5. Red, dry skin
6. Dizziness, confusion
7. Nausea
8. Seizures
9. Unconsciousness
If you suspect that someone you know is suffering from heat stroke, immediately call 911. Move the victim to a cooler area, loosen their clothing, and attempt to cool their body until help arrives. PETS: As the temperatures climb, humans aren’t the only ones who need special attention to avoid getting burned. Our four-legged friends need special care as well. Follow these tips to ensure that your pet has a happy, healthy summer: 1.Never leave your pet in the car – in a matter of minutes the temperature in your car can raise to more than 120 degrees. So, if you have to run an errand, leave your pet at home where it’s cool. 2.Keep your pet well groomed. – Tangles in hair can prevent animals’ fur from protecting them from the elements of weather. 3.Go slow with your animals – Don’t expect animals, especially the very young or very old ones, or animals that are ill, to do too much when it’s hot. Overexertion is dangerous for animals in the heat. Go for leisurely walks, and pay attention to your animal’s body language. If your animal starts panting or seems lethargic, get them indoors immediately. Bring them inside whenever possible because even in the shade temperatures can soar to dangerous levels. 4.Sunscreen? – Yep, it’s true. Animals can wear sunscreen, too. Their ears and nose are especially prone to sunburn and Skin Cancer, so dab a little on when heading outdoors; they’ll thank you for it. Signs Your Pet May Be Suffering From Heat Stroke:
1. Panting
2. Staring
3. Anxious expression
4. Refusal to obey commands
5. Dry skin that is warm to the touch
6. High fever
7. Rapid heartbeat
8. Vomiting Collapse
*If you think your pet has heat stroke, get help immediately. KEEPING YOUR HOUSE COOL AND YOUR BILLS LOW: Our bodies aren’t the only things we need to keep cool during the summer. Electric bills soar to gastronomical levels in the warmer months. There are things you can do to both cool down your environment and to save money on your next electric bill. And the good news – most of these things are of no cost to you. 1.Close the blinds and drapes- especially during the warmest parts of the day. This keeps the direct sunlight out and can cool your home several degrees. 2.Remember to turn off appliances when not in use- televisions, computers, and lights especially. 3.Avoid running your dishwasher or washer and dryer until after the sun goes down. And try not to run them until you have a full load. 4.Plant trees and leafy vines around your home. They act as a natural shading agent and can cool your home significantly. 5.Consider turning your thermostat up a few degrees when you’re not at home. Also, make sure you check your air conditioning filter each year to make sure it’s functioning properly. Experts say that if you’ve had your air conditioning unit for more than 12 years, it might be a good idea to consider trading it in for a newer, more energy-efficient model. In addition, agencies such as Southern California Edison offer various plans to help offset the increasing rates during summer months. One such example is the CARE program which offers income-qualifying families a 20 percent decrease on their monthly bills. You can also save 20 percent during the summer months by implementing the 20/20 plan. Simply use 20 percent less energy than you did the previous year during the months of June through October, and not only will you save on your regular bill each month, Southern California Edison will give you a 20 percent credit on your October statement. Limitations do apply so be sure to contact Southern California Edison, either by phone or via the Internet for more details. Unfortunately, these programs are not always made readily available to consumers. So do a little digging yourself. Call your local utility companies, or find them on the Web, and see how you can start saving today. Your pocket book will appreciate the effort! FOOD SAFETY: Ah, it’s a beautiful summer day. You’d like to take your family on a trip to the beach, a picnic at the park perhaps, or even an outing in your own backyard. Here are some food tips from the Food and Drug Administration to make sure everyone enjoys the day: 1.Keep hands, food preparation surfaces and utensils clean. – Consider using disposable moist towelettes to keep your hands and surfaces clean rather than sponges or rags, which trap bacteria and can cause disease. 2.Rinse your fruits and vegetables well – Unless your produce is bagged and labeled “pre-washed” or “pre-rinsed” it is important to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before packing them. Fruits and vegetables with firm skins should be rubbed with a vegetable brush under running water prior to eating. 3.Grilling – Always marinate your food in the refrigerator and never re-use marinades as sauces. If you plan to use a marinade as a sauce for your meal, reserve some of it in a separate container and do not mix it with the raw-meat portion. ·Use separate, clean utensils and platters to serve cooked meat and seafood. Do not use the platters and utensils you used when handling raw meat. ·Cook your meat thoroughly. Here are some guidelines from the FDA: -Lamb, beef, and veal steaks and roasts--145°F for medium rare, 160°F for medium, and 170°F for well done. -Ground beef and ground pork--160°F. -Ground poultry (chicken, turkey, etc.)--165°F. -Poultry breasts--170°F. -Whole poultry (take measurement in the thigh)--180°F. -Fin fish--145°F or until the flesh separates easily with a fork and is opaque. -Lobster, crabs, and shrimp--the meat should be pearly and opaque. -Clams, oysters, and mussels--until the shells are open. It is safe to leave cooked foods on the hot grill while preparing the rest of the meal. Simply push the cooked foods to the side so that they are away from the coals or direct heat. This will avoid overcooking. 4.At temperatures above 90 degrees, food should not sit out for more than one hour. 5.Keep cold foods cold as long as possible by placing them in coolers or on top of ice if they are in serving containers. And remember that perishable food items should not be kept out longer than two hours. 6.Hot food needs to be kept hot (over 140 degrees). Wrapping them in Aluminum Foil and placing them in an insulated container will help maintain the heat. If you have any questions regarding food safety, you can call the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition's Outreach and Information Center at 1-888-SAFEFOOD. FINAL THOUGHTS: Summertime should be filled with all of the things we love the most; watermelon juice dripping down our chins, roasted corn between our teeth, picnics on the sand or in the park, late nights and early mornings, and the warm wind lapping at our cheeks. With a little knowledge, the warm months of summer can be enjoyable and refreshing. Yet every year, tragedies strike in California and around the nation. Please follow these imperative guidelines to ensure the safety of our children: ·Never allow your children to be alone in a vehicle. More than 19 deaths have been reported in 2005 alone due to children left in cars. Temperatures can quickly soar to above 120 degrees, causing brain damage and death. Within 10 minutes, the temperature in a car rises at least 19 degrees, and within half an hour, more than 34 degrees. If you must leave your vehicle at any time, take your children with you, regardless of the season. Not only is it the “right” thing to do, it’s the law. Kaitlyn’s Law, which was passed in memory of a six-year-old little girl who died after being left in a minivan, states that no child under the age of six may legally be left in a vehicle unsupervised. ·Do not allow your children to swim without the presence of an adult. The best lifeguard for your children is you, so be present and be aware. Each year, needless deaths occur because children are not supervised when around water. It only takes a second for a child to drown, and it only takes an inch of water. Children drown silently. Be conscious of your environment and make it a healthy summer for children. By following the advice above, we can all have a healthy, happy summer. So lather on the sunscreen, grab some loved ones and Popsicles, and head somewhere cool – And don’t forget your camera! Catherine Ipcizade is a freelance writer living in California. She has published more than 350 articles on topics including parenting, food, and relationships. Catherine also writes for children. |
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