Did you know that according to data from the CDC, there are an average of 67,500 heat-related injuries that result in emergency room visits every year? And it isn’t just the heat we have to worry about- It’s the sun’s ultraviolet rays as well. The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that the sun contributes to more than 3.6 million cases of skin cancer every year.
Whether you’re working in the heat or playing in the sun, it’s important to keep these summer-heat safety tips in mind to keep you healthy and safe this season.
Sunscreen
Today marks the first official day of the 2023 summer season, but experts advise that you should wear sunscreen anytime you need to protect your skin, not just summertime.
According to the CDC, more than 3.6 million people a year are diagnosed with melanoma, a common but preventable skin cancer linked to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The American Academy of Dermatology Association says the easiest and most effective way to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays is by simply wearing sunscreen and making sure it’s the right kind.
Paying attention to a sunscreen’s Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, is an important way to gauge how much protection a sunscreen gives you. A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 is said to block out 93 percent of the sun’s UV rays and SPF 30 blocks around 97 percent. Experts warn that there is no such thing as sunscreen that protects 100 percent of the sun’s rays.
Sunscreen also must be reapplied throughout the day, especially if you are swimming. Experts recommend reapplying it every two hours to help avoid painful sunburns which can lead to melanoma. The American Academy of Dermatology also warns that sunburns can still happen on cloudy days and emphasizes the importance of seeking shade to give yourself a break fun the sun.
Beat The Heat
Heat Stroke is known as the most serious and deadly heat-related injury and occurs when the body can no longer control its internal temperature. Multiple things happen to the body during a heat stroke including a failure of the systems that make you sweat, and a rapid rise in temperature to a dangerous 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Heat Stroke can happen as quickly as in 10 minutes and can result in permanent damage, disability and death when it goes untreated.
So how do you avoid heat stroke? Experts advise doing everything in your power to stay cool and beat the heat including:
- Moving indoors or moving to air-conditioned areas
- Seeking shade
- Wearing appropriate clothing such as shorts or short-sleeved shirts
- Swimming
- Drinking water or eating cold food such as a popsicle
- Avoiding high-energy activities in the heat
Hydration
Keeping yourself hydrated is also one of, if not, the most important and easiest ways you can keep yourself healthy and safe in the summer heat. Dehydration injuries occur when your body loses more fluid than it takes in and doesn’t have enough fluid to carry out normal bodily functions.
Chronic dehydration can also lead to medical complications including kidney stones, muscle weakness, fatigue and more. To avoid dehydration, experts advise following these tips:
- Drink water before you are thirsty (By the time you’re thirsty, you are already behind on your water intake)
- Drink 24-32 ounces of water every hour when in the heat
- Drinking at shorter intervals is more effective than drinking a lot at once
- Do not drink more than 48 ounces of water per hour
- Know that most people need “several hours” to replenish the fluids they lost through sweating
- Avoid energy drinks, soft drinks, and alcohol
What Can We Do?
According to a Gallup Poll from 2018, 50 percent of Americans engaged in outdoor activities during the summer, meaning that hundreds of millions of people will be exposed to the summer heat in the next few months. Despite that, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that most U.S. workers underestimate the seriousness of heat related injuries and how easy they are to prevent, illustrating the importance of educating the population on how to stay safe in the heat.
While playing around in the sun is all fun and games, dehydration, sunburn and overheating are no joke and can lead to serious health consequences.
While Kokomo24/7 may not be able to keep you safe from the heat, we can help workplaces track, manage and prevent arising issues using our Incident Management, Emergency Alert, Communications Management, and other tech tools to improve worker safety. The Kokomo24/7 software platform is robust, yet easy-to-use and helps bridge the gap between public safety and technology.
Ever since Kokomo24/7® was founded in 2018, we have been a leader in compliance and risk management solutions for all things health and safety. Kokomo proudly serves workplaces, schools, and communities. To get a free 15-minute consultation click the button below.
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