SOS: SUN SENSE

Lazy hours spent poolside or at the beach or even just relaxing in the backyard are some of the best parts of summer. But when fun is followed by a painful burn, the sun exposure just doesn’t seem worth it. Safeguard your summer and your skin with diligence and common sense—and a whole lot of SPF.

Staying safe: The foremost strategy for preventing sunburn hasn’t changed much over the years: If you’re going to be in the sun, apply a waterproof sunblock with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply often (as a general rule, every two hours or after swimming or perspiring). But be warned: Wearing sunscreen is not a guarantee. “The biggest mistake people make is thinking that applying sunblock is a license to go out into the sun as often and for as long as they want,” says Richard Lin, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Overlook Hospital. For additional protection, stay in the shade as much as possible when the sun is at its most potent (between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.) and wear protective clothing like a swim shirt and wide-brimmed hat. Remember too that even people who develop deep, dark tans are not exempt from the damaging effects of the sun’s rays. “A tan is evidence of sun damage,” says Lin. “It may look nice and it doesn’t hurt, but it’s still harmful.”

At-home remedies: If you do develop a sunburn, it will likely subside in a few days. To ease the pain, Lin suggests applying a cool compress to the affected area several times a day to combat inflammation. Although it’s tempting to pop a painkiller or try topical meds, “these work only marginally,” he says.

Another option is to apply a pure aloe lotion several times a day. “Just make sure aloe is the first ingredient on the list, and the product is fresh,” says Chris Sciales, MD, clinical instructor of dermatology at Overlook Hospital. “A tepid bath with colloidal oatmeal will also help alleviate itch, especially when the burn starts to peel in a few days.” Follow up with a good, gentle moisturizer (Sciales suggests Eucerin, Aveeno, CeraVe, and Neutrogena products).

If your sunburn blisters, cautions Lin, “it’s the same as getting a second-degree burn, which means the burn has gone through the top layer of skin.” If this happens, wash the area gently with soap and water and wait for the blisters to heal. If a very large blister crops up or appears on an inconvenient spot (like the knees), you may need to drain it. Using a clean, disinfected needle, gently pop the blister with a small prick and let it drain. “Be sure not to remove the skin, though,” says Lin, “since it protects the wound from bacteria.” Finish by applying an antibiotic ointment, or visit your doctor for assistance.

SOS: POISON IVY

If you wind up with poison ivy this season, you’re not alone; in fact, you’re in the company of as many as 40 million other Americans who will also go up against the prevalent plant—and come away with itches, blotches, and blisters. The reaction elicited by poison ivy is caused by the plant’s oily sap (known as urushiol) and initially looks like redness and minor swelling, but soon erupts into that telltale itchy, blistery rash. For most people, the rash begins to appear one or two days after exposure, but it can linger anywhere from ten days to
a miserable three weeks.

Staying safe: Aside from avoiding contact with the plants—many avid hikers always wear long sleeves and long pants—you can try using a barrier cream (IvyBlock, Hollister Moisture Barrier, or Hydropel Moisture Barrier, for example), which protects by binding to the oil in poison ivy. Later in the day when you wash off the cream, the irritating oil goes with it. Just be sure to reapply every three to four hours (especially if you’ve been sweating).

If you come in contact with a poison plant, wash the area immediately with cool water to keep the plant oil from absorbing into the skin. Don’t use hot water and don’t scrub vigorously; doing so can further open pores and cause more irritation to the skin. It’s also important not to touch anyone else until you’ve washed. “The rash caused by poison ivy isn’t contagious, but the oil on your skin from the plant is,” explains Lin, “so steer clear of loved ones until you’ve bathed.” Wash, too, any clothing you were wearing or equipment you were using when the contact occurred. “Poison ivy’s oil is very stable and can stay on things like golf clubs, shoes, or a dog’s fur for months,” says Sciales. “That’s why it is so important to wash anything you think may have come in contact with poison ivy, to avoid spreading it.”

At-home remedies: If, despite your best efforts, you still end up with poison ivy, your first line of defense is to apply cool compresses diluted with white vinegar (do this several times a day, for ten to 15 minutes). “Not only does this help you feel better,” says Sciales, “but it will dry up the blisters and lessen the amount of time you have to suffer.” After removing the compress, it also helps to apply a drying preparation like calamine lotion, which dries irritated skin so a crust forms. (Remember: Dried blisters itch less than moist, oozing ones.) Calamine lotion is very gentle and can be applied several times daily. You can take an antihistamine like Benadryl to ease itching and help you sleep at night. Homeopathic remedies include such drying agents as milk, baking soda, oatmeal paste, Epsom salts, and ocean water. Just cover the affected area and soak for 30 minutes.

“However,” cautions Sciales, “if you get poison ivy on your face or private areas—which is common—or if the rash is very extensive, it’s best to see a dermatologist since certain oral and topical medicines can be prescribed to relieve symptoms.” There are also prescription drugs (namely prednisone and topical steroids) that can help heal the rash before it becomes severe, but these must be administered before the rash or blisters appear. So if you know you’ve come into contact with a poison plant (although most people aren’t aware of this until it’s too late), call your doctor right away. “And remember, if your doctor prescribes medication for poison ivy, it is essential to finish the entire course,” says Lin. “The rash can return if not treated thoroughly.” Also, as difficult as it may be, don’t scratch. Constant scratching can damage or scar skin and introduce outside bacteria from your fingers into the open wounds, leading to infection.

SOS: BUGS & BEES

Very few of us get through the summer without being nibbled on by mosquitoes or, worse, getting stung by a bee. But there are ways to make yourself a less attractive target and keep bugs at bay.

Staying safe: No matter how diligent you are, bugs and bees are unavoidable during the summer months, especially before sunrise and just after sunset. So rather than lock yourself indoors or wrap yourself in heavy protective clothing, take some simple precautions.

• Spray exposed skin (or any skin covered by thin clothing, which mosquitoes can bite right through) with a DEET-formulated product, but be careful when spraying on young children since DEET can be toxic. If your tyke is under three, check first with your pediatrician.


• Keep bugs out of your house by making sure unscreened windows remain shut and all screens are in good repair. Screens that don’t fit properly are also open invitations for pests.


• Eliminate any areas outside your home that typically harbor biting bugs. For example, mosquitoes breed in standing water, so check under plants and outdoor shelving for hidden puddles.


• Pets should be treated for fleas and ticks to keep these pests out of your home.

When it comes to warding off bees and wasps, consider these tips instead.

• Avoid using heavy fragrances and scented lotions, which attract bees.


• Cover sugary drinks and foods. Summertime pleasures like juice, lemonade, berries, and watermelon not only ring the dinner bell for bees (and for ants, too), but a flying foe can easily dip inside a soda can or cup and surprise you when you take your next sip.


• If a bee lands on or near you, keep still. Flapping and flailing will only scare the bee and encourage it to sting you. Instead, try blowing on it gently to get it to move.


• If you’re going to be outdoors for long periods, don’t wear floral-patterned clothing, which can attract bees on the prowl for pollen.


• If you find a bee or wasp nest on your property, call a professional to remove it. Never handle it yourself.

At-home remedies: The only real cure for a mosquito bite is time, “although a cold compress or hydrocortisone cream can stop the itch for a short while,” says Lin. It’s also important not to scratch the bites. “When you scratch, it just increases the inflammation and makes the skin itch more,” he explains. “Plus, scratching can lead to infection and scarring.”

If you’re unlucky enough to become the target of a bee or wasp, the first thing you need to do is remove the stinger. “Scrape the stinger horizontally with a clean fingernail until it comes out,” instructs Sciales, “or pinch the area so that the stinger is elevated, and remove it with tweezers.” If you’re uncertain that you got the whole stinger, make an appointment with your primary care doctor to be sure. Provided you’re not allergic to stings, there is no cause for alarm. The area will likely be tender for a few days, and a cold compress can help ease swelling. But since bee stings can be lethal to people who are allergic—and it often takes several stings over a long period of time for a full-blown reaction to occur—always keep your eye on anyone who has been stung. Says Lin, “If an anaphylactic reaction happens, you’ll generally know something is wrong fairly quickly. The victim will begin to experience joint pain, vomiting, shortness of breath, swelling, or get a large rash.” If this happens, call 911 immediately or go straight to the emergency room.

SOS: POOL SAFETY

Some of the most tragic stories that inevitably circulate every summer are the tales of senseless deaths and injuries that occur in and around swimming pools. Vigilance is the key to keeping your family and friends from becoming a sad statistic.

• Never leave children alone in or around the pool, even for a second. Just because your child knows how to swim, doesn’t mean he or she is safe in the water.


• Practice “touch supervision” with children less than five years old. This means that an adult should be within an arm’s length all times.


• Put up a fence to separate the pool from your house and play area. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house undetected and fall into the pool. The fence should be at least four feet high on all sides. Be sure all gates self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children’s reach.


• Stock your pool area with rescue equipment like a shepherd’s hook, life preserver, and telephone.


• At the end of the day, take all the pool toys out of the water so children aren’t tempted to reach for them.


• Long hair, tiny fingers, and even small arms and legs can get caught and mangled in the powerful suction of a pool’s filters. Instruct your children to stay away from filters while swimming in any pool. Remind them that if a toy happens to float into the filter area, only a grownup should retrieve it.


• If you have an above-ground pool, do not allow anyone to sit on the edge. A child or adult could fall and get hurt, or the pool could collapse—injuring everyone in and around it.


• Maintaining a pool is a big responsibility, but a necessary one. A non-treated pool may contain harmful bacteria and algae, and is a perfect breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes and other pests.

SOS: FOOD SAFETY

Food-borne illnesses spike during the summer months, as food-borne bacteria grow and multiply best in warm environments. Summer slip-ups—like a picnic basket left in a hot, steamy car—therefore create ideal germ breeding grounds. Also, because more people cook outdoors and eat on the go, the safety nets of a traditional a kitchen (benefits like thermostat-controlled cooking, refrigeration, and washing facilities) are not always readily available. But there are ways to minimize your chances of contracting food-borne illnesses.

• If you and your kids have been playing outdoors (like in the dirt of your backyard or the playground), wash your hands with warm soap and water, then dry hands with clean paper towels before eating. If a sink, soap, and towels are not available, wipe hands with antibacterial towelettes.


• Meat, poultry, eggs, and fish need to be stored below 40 degrees, so keep them on ice in an insulated cooler until you’re ready to eat. Remember, a block of ice keeps longer than individual cubes, so prepare one in advance for long trips or days outdoors. Experts also report that a full cooler stays cold longer than one that is only partially filled, so fill in empty space with more ice or nonperishable foods.


• If you’re cooking ahead of time, be sure you leave ample time for the food to cool in the refrigerator before it’s packed in the cooler. Then pack the cooler directly from the fridge or freezer in reverse order of how you’ll eat the items (meaning you should stow dessert first). Also, never put your cooler in the trunk of your car. Carry it instead in the air-conditioned backseat.


• When packing the cooler, guard against cross-contamination. Wrap raw meats securely so their juices don’t leak onto ready-to-eat food. And be sure to wash thoroughly any utensils used on raw food before using them again on cooked items.


• Perishable foods should not be left out longer than two hours, or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees.


• Remember this rhyme when deciding whether to keep leftovers: When in doubt, throw it out. Leftovers from the grill should be stored in the refrigerator as soon as possible, and anything forgotten for more than an hour should be thrown away.


• Of course, there’s more to food safety than just banishing bacteria. With backyard barbecues the venue of choice this time of year, it’s important to know how to stay safe—and keep your kids safe—around a hot grill.


• Designate the grill area a No Play Zone, so kids know to keep their distance. Open the area only when the grill and all its accessories are cool.


• Position the grill at least ten feet from your house and any shrubs or bushes.


• Use only starter fluid designed for barbecue grills when lighting a charcoal grill.


• Before starting a gas grill, check the connection to be sure it is not leaking. If you suspect a leak, never use a match to check. Instead, turn off the gas and don’t attempt to light the grill again until you’re certain the problem is fixed.


• Never bring a barbecue grill indoors or into an unventilated area, like your garage. This is not only a fire hazard but presents a serious risk for carbon monoxide poisoning as well.

The name of the game this summer is to stay safe and protect yourself and those you love. Then ramp up the fun factor with family and friends to create a summer season you’ll remember long after Labor Day has passed.

Vital Stat

According to the Home Safety Council, gas and
charcoal grills cause an average of 3,400 house fires and 4,900 outdoor fires each year.