Summers in the southeast mean harsh temperatures and an increased number of outdoor activities. Before you and your family step outside, consider the best ways to protect yourselves from dangers like heat stroke, dehydration, and bug bites. Here is a helpful list of health care tips to ensure you make the most of your summer and stay safe.

A Guide to Summer Health Care

1. Beat the Heat

With temperatures skyrocketing, it’s critical to do everything you can to keep your body cool. During the late morning and early afternoon — when the sun is at its hottest — consider indoor activities like a visit to your local mall, library, or movie theater. When you are outdoors, drink an ample amount of water; wear breezy, light-colored clothing; and seek shaded areas whenever possible.

2. Keep Swimming

One of the best outdoor activities to help you stay cool is swimming. However, there are many safety concerns to consider before jumping in. Whether you’re at a backyard pool, lake, or beach, always swim with a buddy and keep a phone nearby in case of emergencies. A responsible adult should also be present at all times when children are swimming. Additionally, when thunder and lightning rolls in, ensure everyone gets out of the water and seeks safe cover until the storm passes.

3. Slather on SPF

Protecting your skin from the sun is another critical part of summer health care. Keep a bottle of SPF 30 sunscreen with UVA/UVB protection with you, and apply it whenever you spend more than a few minutes in direct sunlight. If you’ve been sweating or swimming, don’t forget to reapply as needed to ensure your skin maintains coverage from the sun’s damaging rays.

4. Watch for Bites

If your children have been playing outdoors, always check their bodies for ticks, which carry illnesses like Lyme Disease. You can also help protect them from mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile Virus by covering them with bug spray. The best way to avoid bites like these is to keep your family away from wooded areas with copious shrubbery as well as swampy or marshy areas where mosquitoes breed.

Looking for a local practitioner to assist with your summer health care? Residents of Sanford, NC, turn to Carolina Doctors Med Care for everything from sports physicals to diabetes care. These medical professionals offer primary care services using state-of-the-art diagnostics tools at their cutting-edge health care facilities. They can also handle urgent care walk-ins. To schedule an appointment, give them a call today at (919) 774-3680. You can also visit their website for more information.