Summer Safety Tips
Practice Sun Safety
We all love basking in the sun, but we need to protect ourselves from sunburn.
Your risk of sunburn increases depending on:
· The time of day. You are more likely to get a sunburn between 11 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon.
· Environment. Whether you are near reflective surfaces, such as water, concrete, snow, and ice.
· The season. The position of the sun on summer days can cause more severe sunburn.
· Altitude. It is easy to get sunburned at higher altitudes because there is less of the earth's atmosphere to block the sunlight. UV exposure increases about 4% for every 300 m (1000 ft) gain in elevation.
· Environment. Whether you are near reflective surfaces, such as water, concrete, snow, and ice.
· The season. The position of the sun on summer days can cause more severe sunburn.
· Altitude. It is easy to get sunburned at higher altitudes because there is less of the earth's atmosphere to block the sunlight. UV exposure increases about 4% for every 300 m (1000 ft) gain in elevation.
Protect yourself from dangerous rays
· Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least SPF 30. Generously apply it 20 minutes before going outside—and reapply frequently.
· Wear a hat and sunglasses with an ultraviolet (UV) A/B certified seal.
· Plan your adventures before 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are less harsh.
· Wear a hat and sunglasses with an ultraviolet (UV) A/B certified seal.
· Plan your adventures before 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are less harsh.
Stay Cool and Hydrated
Sunshine and high temperatures increase your risk of sunstroke and heat exhaustion—both can be life-threatening for infants, young children, and seniors.
Tips to stay cool and hydrated this summer
· Stay hydrated. Take water with you when you exercise, or exercise early in the day or later in the evening when it is cooler. Drink lots of water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated drinks.
· Increase your vitamin C intake—it provides a natural defense against heat stroke, exhaustion, and heat rash.
· Make sure to stay cool by wearing light-coloured clothing and seeking shade often.
· Increase your vitamin C intake—it provides a natural defense against heat stroke, exhaustion, and heat rash.
· Make sure to stay cool by wearing light-coloured clothing and seeking shade often.
What to do when a heat warning is in effect
Take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones.
- If planning on being outdoors:
- Apply a sunscreen of at least sun protection factor (SPF) 30, at least 20 minutes before heading outdoors. Be sure the SPF 30 screens out both UVA and UVB rays, and reapply frequently (as directed on product label).
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses (with a UVA/UVB CSA certified seal).
- Wear light-coloured long-sleeved shirts and pants that cover skin.
- Consider rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler hours of the day.
- Drink plenty of water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages to stay hydrated.
- Take frequent breaks from heat, spending time indoors. If you are going to be indoors in a public building, such as a mall, be sure to respect and follow all COVID requirements, including physical distancing and considering masks.
- Do not leave any person or pet inside a closed vehicle, ever.
Click here for information about how to prepare for an extreme heat event and what you can do to protect yourself, including understanding the signs of heat illness.
Watch for signs of heat illnesses
There are five main heat-related illnesses:
· Heat rash
· Sunburn
· Heat Cramps
· Heat Exhaustion
· Heatstroke
Click here to learn more about symptoms and actions to take when you or someone you love is in distress.
Pay particular attention to individuals that can experience earlier or more severe effects from heat including infants, children, seniors, and individuals with pre-existing lung, heart, kidney, nervous system, mental health or diabetic conditions, outdoor workers, as well as those who are socially isolated.
· Heat rash
· Sunburn
· Heat Cramps
· Heat Exhaustion
· Heatstroke
Click here to learn more about symptoms and actions to take when you or someone you love is in distress.
Pay particular attention to individuals that can experience earlier or more severe effects from heat including infants, children, seniors, and individuals with pre-existing lung, heart, kidney, nervous system, mental health or diabetic conditions, outdoor workers, as well as those who are socially isolated.
Be Safe In and On the Water
Tips to stay safe on the water
· When spending the day on the lake or river, make sure you and your family are equipped with life jackets that are properly fitted to each individual and approved by Transport Canada.
· Never underestimate the power of current. Swimmers or waders can be swept away in an instant, even in knee-deep water.
· Children can drown in as little as one inch of water, so never leave them unsupervised.
· Forgot to bring a lifejacket to Quarry Lake? We now have a free loaner station on-site!
· Never underestimate the power of current. Swimmers or waders can be swept away in an instant, even in knee-deep water.
· Children can drown in as little as one inch of water, so never leave them unsupervised.
· Forgot to bring a lifejacket to Quarry Lake? We now have a free loaner station on-site!
Prevent Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when the body gets cold and loses heat faster than the body can make it - even in the summer.
Signs to watch for
Hypothermia is an emergency condition and can quickly lead to unconsciousness and death if heat loss continues.
If someone begins to shiver violently, stumble, or can't respond to questions, it may be hypothermia, and you need to get warm them by removing wet clothing, gently drying them, ingesting small amounts of warm liquid, and seeking shelter.
If someone begins to shiver violently, stumble, or can't respond to questions, it may be hypothermia, and you need to get warm them by removing wet clothing, gently drying them, ingesting small amounts of warm liquid, and seeking shelter.
