From The Orange County Register
By Matt Lemas/Staff Writer
Summer fun can sour quickly. Brief, thoughtful preparation can minimize concerns:
Be keen on the sunscreen
Skin damage from sun exposure is at its worst in summer months from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Use a UVA and UVB blocking sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, says Christopher Zachary, chair of dermatology at UC Irvine Health. Anything over 30 SPF, Zachary says, is negligible. Also be sure to touch up oft-forgotten exposed spots, like ears, hands and feet. For outerwear, don wide-brimmed hats, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and clothing with SPF protection, which is especially good for kids 10 and under.
Mind those campfires
This summer’s fire danger in inland parks and campgrounds is especially worrisome, says Orange County Fire Authority Battalion Chief Steve Edwards. With more than 90 percent of wildfires caused by human activity, campers and hikers are urged to be especially careful with campfires. Make sure to clear a 10-foot area around it and steer clear of heavy debris, such as logs and brush. Don’t leave any fire untended and extinguish it completely (drown with water, stir it to spread, and then hold the back of your hand near to the pit to detect warm or still smoldering patches.)
Stay hydrated
Fluids are your biggest friend before strenuous summer doings, so hydrate thoroughly in advance of activity. Though there is no one-size-fits-all formula, 13 8-ounce cups a day for men and nine for women are a good start, according to the Institute of Medicine. Account for sweat loss from heat and exercise.
Keep an eye on the pool
Constant supervision and installing pool barriers are the two key things you can do to prevent drownings, said Michelle Lubahn, community education supervisor at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Drowning is a quiet killer – it takes just 30 seconds for infants to lose consciousness and four to six minutes to suffer irreversible brain damage.
Assign a “water watcher” or an adult to swim with and watch the other swimmers; having rescue equipment, like a lifesaving ring or shepherd’s hook, nearby is a good idea, too.
Leave that locked car empty
Depending on how hot it is outside, temperatures inside a closed-window car can rise 30 degrees in just 10 minutes. Children and pets should not be left alone inside for any period of time; smaller bodies can heat up faster than adults, CHOC’s Lubahn says. Besides, beyond the spectre of heatstroke or death, it’s illegal to leave children age 6 and under unattended in a car.
