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Summer Safety

A relaxing season of outdoor fun and travel, summer also presents risks. Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, D.O., offers 10 tips to protect yourself and your family during summer fun.

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Focus on Health and Prevention

■ With weather that’s ideal for outdoor exercise and fresh produce plenti- ful and inexpensive, sum- mer is a great time to set goals for wellness — and reach them.

ummer can be a relaxing time

to enjoy outdoor fun and travel. But summer also presents risks and a

need for vigilance. These tips can help you have a fun, safe summer. Apply sunscreen liberally and often to

help prevent wrinkles and skin cancer. Stay in shady areas. Protect your hair and face with a wide-brimmed hat, and wear light- weight, long-sleeved shirts and pants. Clothing also can protect you from

poison ivy and insects. Mosquitoes not only are a nuisance but also carry diseases such as West Nile virus. Ticks can carry Lyme disease. Use insect repellent, and check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks after time in the woods. Drink plenty of fluids; carry a cooler of

water or fruit juice if need be. Beer and other alcoholic beverages only contribute to dehydration. Be alert to signs of heat exhaustion or stroke. Older people are particularly sensitive to fluid imbalances and might try to limit fluids to avoid fre- quent bathroom stops. Children might not think to drink. An ice cream break can be a great way to cool off. Enroll children in swim lessons. Never

swim alone, and supervise children around the water. Wear a life jacket when boating, even on a calm lake. Boating and alcohol don’t mix; be sure those around you use good judgment during all boating activities. Helmets, lights, and avoiding heavy traf-

fic are key to safe bicycling. On a motorcy- cle in any season you should wear a helmet and protective clothing (ideally leather),

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boots, and gloves. A simple fall, even at slow speed, will drag you and the cycle across the road surface. A heavy jacket can protect your skin from a debilitating abra- sion and the need for a skin transplant. In the car, watch out for children run-

ning into the street. Drive defensively and stay alert. Short weekend trips often require hours of driving after a day’s work. Don’t drive when you’re tired; change drivers or stop for a rest. Falling asleep at the wheel results in numerous deaths each year. Elderly houseguests are susceptible

to falls, so consider adding nightlights to guest bedrooms and removing tripping hazards such as rugs and cords (especially in the nighttime path to the bathroom). At the other end of the age spectrum,

children, especially young toddlers, re- quire precautions such as gates at the top and bottom of stairs, plus constant vigi- lance, especially around busy streets. Store all medications — especially

those with a “street value,” such as ben- zodiazepines, narcotics, and other pain medications — in a private spot to avoid tempting teenagers or those with pre- scription drug problems. If you have pets, tell guests beforehand,

and don’t let dogs jump on people. If you’re a guest, ask permission to bring a pet.

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— Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, USPHS-Ret.,

D.O., M.A., is vice president, Health Sciences, Battelle Memorial Institute, Arlington, Va. Find more health and wellness resources at www .moaa.org/wellness. For submission information, see page 18.

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