Summer has officially arrived and it’s time to have fun outdoors taking in everything the season has to offer. It’s important for you and your family to stay safe in the hot summer heat. Here are a few tips to keep you and the kids happy, safe, and healthy during the summer months.
Stay Hydrated.
Drinking enough water throughout the day can sometimes be difficult, but it’s an important habit for us to form.
A good way to get extra hydration is to eat foods with a high water content. Water hides in a lot of the foods we eat accounting for almost 20% of our daily water intake. Foods with high water content include:
- Watermelon
- Cucumbers
- Celery
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
Another good way to make sure we stay hydrated is to drink a glass of water with every meal and snack. This will also help with digesting foods.
We should also be aware of the types of liquids we put in our body. Try to avoid drinks high in sugars like fruit drinks and sodas as they can actually dehydrate us.
Water is a first choice for hydration, but sometimes water can be too plain. For some added flavor, try infusing water with fruits, herbs, or cucumber! Yum!!
Stay Safe in the Sun.
It’s important to always practice sun safety, but especially in the summer months when the sun is at its hottest. One of the best ways to practice sun safety is to avoid it altogether. Only joking…sort of! Between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm we should try to remain in shaded areas and wear protective clothing as much as possible.
But for a day out at the pool or running around the park, shade is not always possible – that’s why it’s a good idea to lather up in some sunscreen. It’s important to know what to look for when choosing a sunscreen. Experts recommend the following:
- Sunscreen should have an SPF of 15 or higher
- Look for a broad spectrum sunscreen which helps block UVA and UVB rays
Other tips to remember:
- Apply sunscreen 30 minutes BEFORE going out into the sun
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours
- Waterproof sunscreens are not always reliable, so you should still reapply every two hours and after swimming or playing in the water
We hope you and your families have a safe, healthy, and F-U-N summer!
Central Counties Health Centers 