Tips for an injury-free summer

Summer is not without risks! Accidental drowning, solar risks, strong heat... BlueNetHospitals recalls you some precautions to take to have an injury-free summer.

Accidental drowning, solar risks, strong heat... Summer is not without risks! BlueNetHospitals recalls some precautions to take to have a peaceful summer.

Avoid being exposed to High Temperature or Heatwave

In summer, temperatures can increase dramatically.

Exposure to strong heat impacts our body, and the risks to our health are numerous. Older adults, infants, children, adults, pregnant women, workers, athletes… we are all at risk! Therefore, it is important to protect yourself, even when the high heat is short-lived.

Drink water regularly without waiting to feel thirsty
Cool off and wet your body (at least face and forearms) several times a day
Keep your accommodation cool (close windows and shutters during the day, open them in the evening and at night if it is cooler)
Eat insufficient quantities and avoid drinking a big amount of alcohol
Favor the coolest hours of the day to go out. If the temperature at home is very high, spend several hours a day in a cool place (cinema, municipal library, supermarket, museum ...) without forgetting to respect the barrier measures to protect from Covid19
Avoid physical effort while exposed to the sun
Remember to update your loved ones regularly and, when necessary, don't hesitate to ask for help

By car and on long journeys:

Never leave a person alone in a vehicle, in particular a child, as the temperature in the passenger compartment can rise very quickly
If possible, postpone your trip to the cooler hours of the day
Remember to bring water and a fogger when driving by car

Protect yourself from the sun

Prefer to stay in the shade, in particular between 11 am and 4 pm as soon as the UV index is higher than 3. (You can consult the specific weather forecast to know the UV density)
If you go out between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., remember to wear: covering clothing (t-shirt or shirt with sleeves and a bottom reaching below the knee at least), a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with wraparound frame and lenses with UV filter

Sunscreens shouldn't be used as an excuse to stay in the sun longer, they can help protect areas of the skin that aren't covered by clothing if you can't stay in the shade
Before the age of 2, never expose your baby to the sun for long periods of time. Childhood sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer in adulthood
Pregnant women should be cautious in the sun because exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can cause hyperpigmentation of the skin (the "pregnancy mask" or a brown line on the stomach)

Accidental drowning: all ages and all places are affected

At sea, in a river, in a lake, or in a swimming pool, summer is ideal for swimming and water sports.

Most drownings are preventable. Swimming involves risks at all ages.

It is essential to teach children to swim as early as possible or to accustom them to the aquatic environment. It is never too late to learn to swim, even as adults
A child should always be supervised by an adult when swimming
For adults, take into account your state of health, do not swim if you experience a physical disorder (fatigue, health problems, chills), do not overestimate your physical condition and your level of swimming, avoid swimming
Do not swim after alcohol consumption
Re-enter into the water gradually, especially after long exposure to the sun
Take into account the bathing environment, especially in streams, bodies of water, and at sea, to be informed about the weather conditions and, in general, to respect the safety instructions and bathing bans in supervised areas marked by bathing flags

If you suffer from an injury or accident, you can go directly to the BlueNetHospitals Emergency Room in Los Cabos or call an ambulance at 624 1043 911.

BlueNetHospitals - Hospital Los Cabos

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