In the summer months the parks and lakes can be filled with families and friends. We love the summer so much that we plan a year in advance for all the family gatherings and outings.

One of the things you need to consider when out in the summer heat is dehydration. The emergency rooms see many people each day in the summer that have become dehydrated. We need a lot more water when we are hot, so drink up!

When we are involved in many activities outside in the summer we sweat more and we need more water to regulate our body temperature. Therefore we need to keep our bodies well hydrated through out the day.

Another safety hazard in the summer is heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is even known to claim some lives in the summer months. When it is possible during the hottest parts of the days we should keep our activities to a minimum.

You can be so involved in summer activity that you do not notice the signs of heat exhaustion until it is too late. We could collapse without even noticing we had become overheated.

Since one in every 5 people will get skin cancer in their lifetime it is important to protect yourself from the sun when outside. A sunburn can easily become very bad. To the point we need medical attention.

These factors make it very important to use a good sunscreen and reapply through out the day, especially if swimming or sweating a lot. Wear protective clothing as needed. A hat to shade the face and cover ups to go over swim wear when not swimming.

Last, but not least we love the water in the summer. It is cool and refreshing. Be sure to use good water safety. It is never a good idea to swim alone. Always use a floatation device if you are not a good swimmer or will be on watercraft.