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Alberta Health Services (AHS) wants to remind people of safety protocols to make the most out of their outdoor plans.
There are many ways that enjoying the outdoors on a hot day can lead to a dangerous situation -- what you eat, drink and wear are all factors in summer safety.
“Some of the common issues that we see in the summer, related to summer activities are sunburns as well as safety around recreational water,” said Dr. Doris Sturtevant, an Edmonton Zone Medical Officer of Health with AHS.
How to prevent heat-related illness:
- Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside. Reapply frequently throughout the day.
- Wear items like a hat, sunglasses and long-sleeved clothing to cover your skin from the sun.
- Drink water.
- Stay in the shade if you feel ill.
If you see someone suffering from heatstroke move the person to a shaded area, remove their outer clothing and shoes, wrap them in a wet towel, and get medical attention as soon as possible.
How to prevent water-related injury/illness:
- Wear a lifejacket that properly fits whenever you are on a boat.
- Young children should always wear a lifejacket regardless of the water activity and should never be left unsupervised.
- Be aware of local water quality advisories, blue-green algae, and cyanobacteria advisories. Do not go near lakes or ponds that are known to have outbreaks of swimmer's itch and be sure to shower or dry yourself off with a towel as soon as you get out of a lake or pond.
- Avoid impairing substances during water activities.
“It's important to have fun, enjoy the summer but keep safe when doing so.”
For any health advice or questions about preventing illness/injury people are advised to call 811.