It seems we've finally turned the corner and summer is truly here. I love almost everything about summer; the food, the weather, the fun and the added daylight top my reasons why I love it so.
As great as summer is, there are risks to be wary of, so the following is a summary of my top five summertime dangers — and how you can protect yourself the next couple months.
The first threat of summer is sunburn. Sunburn happens when unprotected skin is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays for an extended period of time. You will know you have sunburn when your skin turns bright red and begins to burn. But it is easy to prevent if you plan ahead just a little. Seek shade during intense midday hours, wear light clothing and apply sunscreen with a sun protective factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
If you already have sunburn and are looking for relief, apply aloe to the affected area to soothe the burn.
One of the more tragic threats of summer is open water and swimming pools. Water safety is vital to a danger free summer; yet sometimes it's simply overlooked. If you or your children are not strong swimmers, be sure to use caution when entering the water.
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A few ways to keep safe include entering slowly in shallow water, avoiding areas where there are large waves or riptides and using the buddy system are just a few ways to stay safe.
As the air heats, air quality deteriorates. Poor air quality is often a key contributor to allergies and asthma related attacks. On days with poor air quality or high pollen counts, limit outdoor activity.
Heat illness is a deadly side effect to summer related activity. Heat exhaustion and stroke happen when the core body temperature gets too hot and vital organs begin to shut down. It is important to drink plenty of fluids on warm days and seek shelter in dry, cool locations on extremely hot afternoons.
If you do experience symptoms of heat stroke (dizziness, blurred vision, headache, muscle weakness, nausea, disorientation), seek immediate medical help.
Finally, to most people insect bites are more of a summer nuisance than a danger. But to those who may be allergic to bee stings or live areas where the Zika or West Nile virus are carried by mosquitos, those annoying bugs may be more than just a bother.
When you're out in an area populated with insects, wear protective clothing and apply bug spray. If the insects are too aggressive, seek shelter.
Recipe
Try this low-fat cantaloupe sherbet — a perfect summer treat. Over low heat, warm a half cup of skim milk and a packet of unflavored gelatin until dissolved. Place the mixture in a blender with a cubed cantaloupe and blend on high for about 30 seconds. Pour the blended contents in a dish, cover and place in the freezer overnight. The next day, take out, soften and beat until smooth. Re-freeze for a couple of hours until firm before serving your healthy homemade dessert.
