The lazy days of summer are soon upon us. Time for barbecues and sunshine, long days and relaxing, family vacations and the outdoors. But with each of these summer necessities, there are plenty of dangers right under your nose. It?s important to be aware of what you are doing, what you are eating and your surroundings, to make sure that you protect yourself and your family this season.

Here are some of the most common dangers and some practical measures to help you stay safe: Sun: We all know how dangerous the sun can be because we hear about it all the time. Too much sun can cause skin damage, or worse skin cancer. We can be out too long in the sun and get heat stroke or damage our skin permanently. Sunburns can hurt us for the moment and do irreparable damage.
The first thing to know is that sunscreen is not reliable. A recent study highlighted that the FDA regulations on sunscreen claims are not very strict and the truth is that many of them do not protect the way that they claim to. Not only that, but the amount of sunscreen that you need to put on in order to protect yourself is so much more than most people actually put on, so they are cutting their chances even more.
The easiest and most practical ways that you can protect yourself it to:
Stay out of the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., or at least limit your time
If you are going to be in the sun, make sure that you have a hat and the right amount of loose clothing to let your skin breathe, but not get a tan
Do not lay out on the beach, and if you are going to relax in the sand, cover yourself with an umbrella. We are not meant to lay in the sand! Take a walk instead.
Make sure that you bring water with you!
The last practical tip comes with a warning along with it. Drink plenty of fluids, sure, but make sure that it isn?t too much. Sometimes the risk of drinking too much water can be worse than too little. Drinking too much water can actually dilute your blood too much. It can affect our brain function and can cause brain swelling and seizures. See a more detailed article click here Hyponatremia (low sodium in your blood ) can cause seizures and death. It?s important to make sure that when you drink water, drink in moderation. If you know that you have to have eight glasses a day, it doesn?t mean that you can have them all at once and then not drink again all day. A colleague of mine once told me something I find very true. If you tell a person in Germany to take one pill three times a day for two weeks, they do it, but if you tell an American patient to do the same, they will take six a day for one week. And that can be very dangerous. The easiest way to tell if you are thirsty or dehydrated is the old fashioned way. Check if your tongue is wet or dry. If it?s wet, you are ok. If not, drink some water!
Another summer danger is food becoming spoiled. Keep food in a cool place and try not to bring perishables with you. Choose items without mayonnaise. If it?s canned food, make sure that the can is not bulging. You can find a plethora of food safety tips click here Drink bottled water, especially on vacation, because you never know where it comes from, or where it?s been otherwise.
If you are hiking, check often for tick bites, and use repellents. Lyme disease might sound like something easy to take care of, but it is a huge problem here, and can be deadly. Look out for what looks like simple cuts and scratches, too. They can be deadly. Clean it out with water, at the least.
Watch for wild animals. Cats, dogs, scorpions, and snakes can be deadly. Be safe! In the water, watch for jellyfish, sharks, and make sure you swim in the safe zones. Watch for your ears as well. Diving can do permanent damage.
Asthma and allergies can be deadly in the summertime. Make sure that you always have your inhaler with you if you have asthma. If you have trouble breathing, go to a doctor. You might need an inhaler for the summer months. The lazy days of summer should not make you lazy when it comes to taking care of yourself and keeping your health on track!