Council on Family Health Spells Out Tips for a 'SAFE SUMMER'
The Council on Family Health (CFH) uses the acronym S-A-F-E S-U-M-M-E-R to offer consumers health and safety tips for the summer. The web-based program provides tips ranging from what to have in a first aid kit, basic medicine safety, and sunburn prevention, to information about how to properly store and travel with medicines. Links are provided for more detailed information on each topic.
"Making sure you are prepared for health or medical problems is important year-round," says CFH President Robert G. Donovan. "CFH's 'S-A-F-E S-U-M-M-E-R' tips will help you be ready for a safe and healthy summer."
Go to www.cfhinfo.org to view the "S-A-F-E S-U-M-M-E-R" tip sheet online and learn more about summer safety.
* [S]afety comes first! Be sure all family members use safety gear like helmets or knee and elbow pads when biking, skating, or skate boarding.
* [A]lways be prepared. For trips away from home this summer, make sure to pack basic first aid items, such as antiseptic and antibiotic ointments, bandages, scissors, and tweezers.
* [F]irst aid kits should be checked and restocked each summer. Carefully dispose of old or expired medicines.
* [E]xtreme heat can lead to dehydration or heat stroke. Drink lots of water and know the signs of heat stroke, which include: extremely high body temperature; red, hot, and dry skin with no sweating; rapid, strong pulse; headache; nausea; dizziness; and confusion.
* [S]unburns don't have to be part of summer! Cover up in the sun and always wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Research shows using sunscreen protection with SPF 15 or higher during the first 18 years of life can lower the risk of some types of skin cancer by nearly 80 percent.
* [U]nderstand the effects the sun and heat may have on you. If you are pregnant or have a chronic health condition, check with your doctor about the potential effects of heat, sun, and fatigue.
* [M]ake sure to travel smart. Always keep prescription medicines with you in their original containers; do not pack them in checked luggage. And be sure to take along any over-the-counter medicines you may need, such as pain relievers, cough and cold medicines, and antihistamines.
* [M]edicines should be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Heat and humidity can make medicines less effective.
* [E]xamine medicines for signs of tampering. Don't buy or use any medicine from a package that shows cuts, tears, slices, or other imperfections. Always tell the store manager about questionable products so that they can be removed.
* [R]ead and follow medicine labels. Check labels for warnings about how medicines may increase your body's sensitivity to the sun. Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children. Do not take more medicine than the label tells you to take.
