Are We Having Fun Yet?
Fun in the Sun and more
The first part of this post was originally posted, July 5, 2024. Starting at “Protecting Your Skin” has been added this year.
The temperature is rising right along with the humidity.
Where did I want to be when I was a child at this time of year? In the water. I loved to swim and if I had my druthers I would spend every sultry day in the water.
However, with water comes the possibility of drowning. How do we keep our children safe?
· Teach your children to swim at an early age.
· Supervise your children when they are near or in the water.
· Have you taken a first aid or CPR course? If not do so right away.
· If you are at a public park with lifeguards, great, but do not depend on them to watch your children. Designate someone to always have their eyes on your children. My hubby and I took turns, doing a verbal swap.
· Drowning is usually fast and silent, so act quickly. Check into a lifeguarding course so you know how to rescue someone who is drowning.
· Do not forget sunscreen. Apply frequently while swimming.
· Watch the weather. Get folks out of the water and indoors at the first sign of thunder or lightening. Wait 30 minutes after the last flash or rumble before going back out into the water.
· Use a buddy system.
· Take red flag warnings seriously at ocean beaches. Rip currents can be deadly even for strong swimmers. Stay calm and don’t fight it. Swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current. if you can’t swim, float or tread water until you are free of it. But… that may not save you. So, it is always safer to stay out of the water if there are red flags displayed.
· If you are out boating, wear sunscreen and a floatation device. Even if you are a great swimmer, you and your children all need to have a U.S. Coast Guard approved life vest on.
Protecting Your Skin
The best way to protect your skin is to stay out of the sun during the hours between 10am and 2pm.
But let’s be real—these are some of the best hours to be outside having fun.
Consider a layered approach.
Sunscreen works best when it’s applied:
At least 15-20 minutes before going outside
Every 2 hours
After swimming
After an activity that causes sweating
After toweling off.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater
Wear a hat, sunglasses and light-colored protective clothing
Seek shade in the between 10am and 2pm
Out at 8am, or 5pm? Still apply sunscreen – if you are outside in the sun, you can still get a sunburn before 10am and after 2pm.
What is a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen? One that protects against both UVA (promotes a tan) and UVB (causes sunburn) rays.
What’s a “mineral blocker” sunscreen? This is one that uses something like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
What are the advantages of using a mineral blocker? They are effective immediately and they are less likely to cause irritation to the skin.
Don’t forget those, oh so easily missed areas of the body:
Lips
Ears
Chin
Backs of your hands
Top and soles of your feet
Hairline, balding spots, or part
When applying sunscreen to the face, consider a sunscreen designed for the face—the are less likely to run when sweating and get into the eyes.
It’s no fun suffering from preventable sunburns. Plus, it does untold damage to skin.
A few simple precautions keeps everyone happy and having fun while playing out in the sun.
A human, not an AI text generator, wrote this essay.
Rebecca, of course! Same reason I look so young. 😉