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Summer Safety Tips

Sun Safety

All the Information You Need to be Sun-Safe This Summer
by Kristen Cosner

Sun protection is important any time of the year- especially during the summer months. According to the Center for Disease Control, the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.  present the most hazardous ultraviolet rays.  Children and adults that are fair-skinned, have blue or green eyes, freckles, or red/ very light-colored hair are at the highest risk of sun-related health problems.

Easy Ways to Stay Protected
-Seek shade under a tree, canopy, or other source of shade.
-Wear a hat with a brim to shade the face, ears, eyes, and head. (Yes, these can be fashionable!)
-Use SPF 15 or higher sunscreen.
-Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block 100% of the UV Rays.

Is Your Sunscreen Expired?
At the beginning of every Spring, it is suggested to check the expiration dates on your sunscreen. Using expired sunscreen can be unsuccessful at protecting you from damaging ultra violet rays. It can even intensify the sun’s rays causing you to burn even more.
Ouick Tip: Try using your UV beads to test your sunscreen.  Glue several beads to a paper plate, apply your sunscreen to the beads and watch what happens! If the bead remains white, your sunscreen is safe to use. If color appears, it is time for a new bottle of sunscreen. 

Make Sun Safety FUN!
The need for children to be educated on the harmful effect of the sun is at an all-time high right now.

Steve Spangler Science is offering a fun way for kids to keep track of the UV rays and know when the right time to put sunscreen on is.  When in contact with UV rays, these unique beads will change from an opaque white to one of five vibrant colors.  The brighter the color, the higher UV rays and the higher risk of damage from the sun.  The beads can be strung on a necklace, added to a friendship bracelet, or make into a  keychain. Visit www.stevenspangler.com for more great tips and ideas. Available at www.stevenspangler.com, www.teachersource.com, or www.grand-illusions.com.  UV Color Changing Beads, appx. 250 beads - $8.99.

 

Beat the Heat and Other Safety Tips

Enjoy your summer!!   From WV Family Magazine and our wonderful sponsors:  The Wow! Factory, Thomas E. Condron DDS, Jennifer Music DDS, OIC Training.

TICK & LYME DISEASE RISK IS ON THE RISE
How to Protect Your Family & Pet

There are 40,000 cases of lyme disease documented in the US alone every year and health experts are predicting 2012 to be the worst year for Lyme risk ever. Why? A warm winter and a decrease in rodent population. What happens with fewer rodents? Ticks need to look for other hosts - us!

Left untreated or mistreated, Lyme Disease can have serious complications. The bacteria from the tick can cause severe arthiritis, heart problems, and neurological problems. 

Here are some helpful tick-prevention strategies to keep you, your family and pet protected this summer:

1.) YOUR YARD: Ticks are not out in the middle of your lawn, they live where yards border wooded areas, or anywhere it is shaded and there are leaves with high humidity. Place a layer of wood chips between your grass yard and the woods edge. Ticks are attracted to the wood chips because of the shade and moisture it provides.

2.) TICK CHECKS: Do periodic tick checks (on yourself, children and pets) and carefully remove any found. (Wear light colored clothing so ticks are easier to find.)

3.) OUTDOOR PURSUITS: When on a hike, bike, or walk try to remain in the center of a trail in order to minimize your exposure. Remember - ticks cannot fly, they crawl up. Avoid sitting directly on the ground, woodpiles or fallen logs - areas where ticks love to live.

4.) PERSONAL PROTECTION: When going into tall grass or into the woods, be sure to wear long sleeves and long pants.  This will make it harder to the tick to find your skin.  According to the Center for Disease Control, repellents with 20-50% DEET may offer the best protection.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that repellents with 30% DEET can be used on children over 2 months of age. 

There is tick repellent for clothing and equipment; it is long-lasting and appropriate for use by the entire family with no restrictions for use.  There are also products that already contain repellent.  Insect Shield repellent apparel is EPA registered to repel ticks (as well as a variety of other pesky and potentially dangerous insects.) The repellency is odorless, invisible and long-lasting. Insect Shield apparel is available for adults, kids and even your dog!

Watch for Early Signs of Lyme Disease:
Bulls-eye rash appearing 3-30 days after disease transmission.  40% of patients never had a rash.
Swelling of lymph nodes.
Muscle and joint aches
Headache
Stiff neck
Tingling or numbness in feet and/or hands
Fever
Severe fatique

If you or your child experience these symptoms and believe you were bit by a tick, contact your doctor right away.  If caught early, there are blood tests that can help diagnose Lyme Disease for proper and effective treatment.

Information provided by Insect Shield
and Center for Disease Control.

 

Summer Safety for Your Pet by Kirah Meade

Summer is truly a joyous time for the whole family.  Lazy days, pool days, day trips, and then there are those rainy days when you have to stay inside.  No matter what your summer is like, it is still SUMMER and that is all that matters.  Just like for kids, there are health hazards for pets too, such as sun burns (yes, pets can get sunburns too), pesky bug bites, dehydration, and more.  Let’s look at some common pet health and safety concerns during the summer .

Heat Hazards
The hazy, hot, and humid days of summer can be uncomfortable for everyone, and it can pose risks for your pet.  Make sure your pet has a shady spot to rest in.  Dog houses can trap heat, so make sure they have something other than a dog house.  Be sure your pet has plenty of fresh water throughout the day.  Avoid exercising or going for walks with your pet on extremely hot days.  Avoid prolonged exposure to walking on hot asphalt or sand, because it can burn your pet’s paws.  Never leave your pet in a closed vehicle on a hot day, even with the window cracked, the temperatures can rise to dangerous levels in minutes - causing seizures, brain damage, or death.  If you have a dog with a short face (Bull-dog, Pug, Pekingese), be aware that these breeds have a hard time keeping cool because they can not pant as effectively.  They need to be kept inside with air-conditioning.  Small pets such as hamsters and guinea pigs should never be left in direct sun. 

Fleas, Ticks, and other Parasites
Although flea and tick season is not limited to warm weather, they flourish in the summer.  Year-round protection is recommended.  Flea and tick bites can cause itching, leading to infections and even anemia.  Some dogs are allergic to flea bites and experience excessive itching, swelling, hair loss, and more.   Fleas and ticks can also transmit pathogens and skin diseases to your pet and to humans.  Ticks can carry Lyme disease, a serious condition in humans resulting in swollen joints and neurological disorders.  See more about Lyme disease on page 23.   Many flea and tick medications can also protect against other parasites.  Check with your vet to see which medicine is best for your pet. 

General Health
Taking your dog for a walk is a great way to exercise, spend time with your pet, and socialize.  However, be sure your pet is up to date with all of its shots.  During your outings, you may come in contact with an animal that is not friendly.  A simple sniff can turn into a nip and than a possible health hazard is at hand.  Other hazards to be aware of are toxic plants and flowers, and also fertilized or chemically treated lawns.  Keep your pet  groomed and clean, clip nails and claws regularly.  A little sunscreen on the nose will prevent sunburn.  Short haired dogs or hairless breeds should be protected from sun exposure each time.   There are noises that can affect your pet’s emotional health:  thunder storms, fireworks, large events, concerts.  Avoid these areas if your pet is sensitive to loud noises.  Be sure your dog has a collar with identification tags to make sure he or she is safety returned if lost. 

Kirah Meade resides in WV with her husband, two children, one dog, four cats, and a variety of other small pets.