For many of us, summer is a time to relax, have fun, and enjoy the warm weather.  It’s neither relaxing nor fun to spend your summer in the emergency room.  Here are 4 common reasons for summertime emergencies – and how to avoid them.

Dehydration

It’s easy to feel sick, faint, or overheated when you’re dehydrated.  Make drinking fresh water a regular habit and you’ll avoid the problems that come with dehydration.

Remember that sugar, caffeinated, or alcoholic beverages won’t help with hydration.  Naturally caffeine-free herbal tea is OK, but fresh water is best.

Sunburn

By the time you see your skin turning red, it’s too late.  Severe sunburns can result in hospital trips, and repeated sunburns increase your risk of skin cancer.

Choose a sunscreen with a high SPF.  Apply it half an hour before going outside.  Reapply it every two hours – more often if you’re swimming or sweating.  Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face.

Do outdoor chores in the morning or evening to avoid the heat of the day, but remember – even if it’s not mid day, and even if it’s cloudy, you still need your sunscreen.

Food Poisoning

Be careful with picnics and potlucks.  Avoid leaving food sitting out of the fridge or cooler for more than an hour when the temperature’s hot.  Be particularly cautious with mayonnaise, for example, sandwiches, tuna salad, vegetable dips.  Replace ice in coolers regularly.

When you’re barbecuing, make sure all meat gets cooked thoroughly.  If in doubt, put it back on the grill a bit longer.

Summer Emergencies and Outdoor Injuries

Wear appropriate clothing for your activity.  If you’re in the forest, wear long sleeves and long pants to protect against thorns.  When you’re hiking, choose sturdy shoes.

If your activity requires safety gear, make sure it fits properly and wear it at all times.  For example, if you’re biking or horseback riding, you need a helmet.  If you’re on the water, wear a life jacket.

Never swim alone.

Always have a fire extinguisher near your campfire or barbecue.

Don’t Forget Maintenance Care

If you’re feeling good, it’s easy to overlook maintenance care during the summer, when schedules are looser and families are busy with activities.  But a brief visit to your chiropractor is worth the investment.  Regular chiropractic maintenance will have you feeling your best so you can make the most of your summer.  And you’ll be less likely to come back in the fall with aches and pains.

If you don’t yet have an appointment scheduled for the summer, call Sheppard Chiropractic Center at (506) 635-8182 or (506) 847-7172 today.