In the summer, adults and children spend more time outdoors and this leads to more accidents, bug bites, sunburns, rashes, and other emergencies. You should be prepared to prevent and treat these common injuries and illnesses. In an emergency, you should go to your nearest urgent care or walk-in clinic for treatment in the summer. The heat can lead to heat cramps, exhaustion, and heatstroke. Some bug bites will cause an allergic reaction or illness. Food poisoning could cause you to become severely sick and dehydrated. All of these situations require medical treatment from a doctor at an urgent care center. Below are some tips to help you prevent these types of illnesses and injuries so that you don’t have to spend your summer sitting in urgent care clinics.

Wear Protective Clothing and Insect Repellent Outdoors

When you work outdoors, wear lightweight long-sleeved pants and shirts to protect yourself from insect bites. Insects carry diseases that can be harmful to humans, so you need to protect yourself as much as you can. You should also use insect repellent when you’re going to the beach and doing other outdoor activities. Buy traditional insect repellent or look for eco-friendly brands at the pharmacy, online, or health food stores. When entertaining outdoors, be sure to clean the patio or area you are using. If you’re entertaining at night, use orange or yellow light bulbs as they do not attract as many bugs. You can also burn citronella candles in your outdoor area to keep pesky bugs away.

Always Keep Water with You

When you go to the beach or hiking with your friends or family, bring water, iced tea, lemonade, or even Koolade. Swimming, walking, and working outdoors in the sun can all lead to dehydration. When you’re dehydrated, you’ll feel dizzy and nauseous and may need medical treatment if it becomes severe enough. Always have something on hand to drink and make sure that your family takes breaks to drink fluids. A good way to make sure everyone stays hydrated is to get each of your family members a portable thermos for trips and outdoor activities.

Protect Yourself From The Sun

It is suggested you use sunscreen every day, even when it is cloudy. To protect yourself from the sun even further, limit the amount of time you spend in the direct sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Bring an umbrella to the beach or sit in the shade under a tree. If you are sunbathing, limit the amount of time you spend in the sun to one hour. Wear a hat on your head when attending outdoor events or walking and protective clothing that prevents sunburn. By preventing sunburns, you’ll be protecting the long-term and short-term health of your skin and avoiding heat-related illnesses.

Swim in Parks and Pools That Are Safe

Choose parks or pools with lifeguards and systems where they treat water for high levels of bacteria. Bacteria in the water can lead to ear infections and rashes. Many state parks now close the beach to treat water when bacterial levels are high. Check the river, lake, beach, or pool for how they deal with these safety issues. Never leave young children unsupervised near a pool, lake, river, or beach. They should wear life jackets in boats and when they cannot swim. If you want your children to have more freedom around the water, teach them to swim with lessons at a summer day camp, local Y, or recreation center.

Prevent Accidents In The Summer

Be prepared for emergencies by having the number of your nearest healthcare services provider or emergency clinic handy. Know their locations and how to get there. Many summer accidents happen during physical activity, so be sure to buy protective gear for children participating in outdoor sports, such as eyewear, helmets, life preservers, comfortable sneakers, and lightweight clothing. Sign your children up for outdoor activities with trained professionals to help avoid accidents. If you’re beginning an exercise routine this summer, slowy increase the intensity of your workouts. Exercise with a friend or family member or if you like to go alone, tell them where you are going and when you will return.

Preventing injuries in the warmer months makes the time you spend outdoor more enjoyable. Planning ahead and thinking about these issues helps you organize and prepare for the summer. When faced with an emergency you should visit your nearest walk-in clinic or emergency clinic.