Summer is typically the time when families plan fun outdoor vacations and spend a great deal of time in backyards, at beaches, or in parks. While summer fun can lead to many happy memories, it can also lead to health issues if proper precautions aren't taken during the brutal summer heat. Heat-related health issues can result in severe, and sometimes fatal, injuries, turning happy summer memories into tragic ones. Today's blog post focuses on three important sun safety tips for families this summer to protect the lives of loved ones and avoid heat-related disasters.

Proper Hydration

The first step in practicing good sun safety is staying well hydrated throughout the day. In the high heat, our bodies quickly lose moisture as we sweat, so it is important to replenish lost fluids with water or other hydrating liquids. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps prevent dehydration and keeps the body from dangerous overheating. While drinking alcoholic and carbonated beverages may offer a temporary cool down, they do not actually provide much hydration for our bodies, and can leave us feeling even more dehydrated and fatigued from summer heat.

Sunscreen and Protective Clothing

One of the most important aspects of sun safety during summer weather is always applying sunscreen and wearing protective clothing before spending any time outside. During the summer, the sun's UVA and UVB rays can quickly damage skin and lead to long-term health issues later in life, such as melanomas and other types of skin issues. Children are especially susceptible to painful sunburns because of the sensitivity of their skin, so they need to wear an effective, lasting sunscreen with a SPF of 30 and also hats and protective clothing to prevent skin injuries.

Avoiding Strenuous Activities

During the summer, people can overexert themselves and experience physical harm doing routine activities in the hot and humid weather. A number of heat-related health issues stem from attempting or performing strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day, such as mowing the lawn, participating in active sports, or moving furniture. Strenuous activity doesn't have to be avoided completely during the summer, but should only be done during the cooler parts of the day to help prevent personal injuries and health issues.

Individuals and families don't have to completely avoid being outside during the summer heat, but it is important to practice sun safety and make smarter choices to protect personal health. These proactive steps can help avoid catastrophic events that lead to serious medical issues and even death. Aegis Insurance & Financial Services is also committed to protecting individuals and families through our full range of Life Insurance policies. Contact Aegis today at 713-850-7622 for more information, or go online to request a free quote!