What Are Austin's Top Summer Safety Concerns?
Sun Exposure - Sunburn - Sunburn is an often painful sign of skin damage from spending too much time outdoors without wearing protective sunscreen. Years of overexposure to the sun lead to premature wrinkling, aging of the skin, age spots, and an increased risk of skin cancer. In addition to the skin, eyes can get burned from sun exposure. Sunburned eyes become red, dry, and painful, and they feel gritty. Chronic exposure of eyes to sunlight may cause pterygium (tissue growth that leads to blindness), cataracts, and perhaps macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.
Dehydration— Dehydration is caused by the excessive loss of water and salts from the body due to illness or from prolonged exposure to Heat. Severe dehydration can become a life-threatening condition if not treated.
Heat Cramps— Heat cramps are painful, involuntary muscle spasms that usually occur during heavy physical activity in hot environments. Muscles most often affected include those of your calves, arms, abdominal wall, and back. If you suffer from heat cramps, rest for several hours and drink clear juice or an electrolyte-containing sports drink.
Heat Exhaustion— Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses too much water and salt from sweating during hot temperatures. The elderly, people who work outside, and people with high blood pressure are most at risk of heat exhaustion. Continued exposure may lead to heatstroke, which is life-threatening.
Heatstroke— Heatstroke is caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures or physical activity in hot weather. Sweating has usually stopped, and your body temperature becomes too high; body temperatures can reach as high as 106 degrees in 15 minutes. Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition, and you should seek immediate medical attention if you or someone you know is suffering from heatstroke.
Check out BrightStar Care's resources for a safe and healthy summer:
Heat Stroke Prevention:
Things to do in the Summer with Senior Citizens:
https://www.brightstarcare.com/blog/things-to-do-in-the-summer-with-senior-citizens
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Source:
Sunburn Symptoms - Occupational Safety and Health .... https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/2018-11/fy12_sh-23584-12_Sunburn.pdf
Extreme Heat and Heat-Related Illnesses – Newsroom. https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/public-relations-contacts/severe-weather-preparedness/extreme-heat-and-heat-related-illnesses/