May 17--The lazy days of summer are just around the corner.

But, really, how much fun in the sun can you have if everybody gets sun burned or is suffering from food poisoning or involved in a boating mishap?

This season, before you go springing into summer, set aside some time to go over the following safety tips with the entire family.

It may mean you won't leave the house as soon as you'd like, but isn't it always better to be safe than sorry?

Sun safety --Always wear protection. Sunlight contains two kinds of UV rays (UVA increases the risk of skin cancer, skin aging and other skin diseases. UVB causes sunburn and can lead to skin cancer.) Apply a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to all exposed skin (and don't forget your ears!), even on a cloudy day. Reapply according to the directions on the container. --Wear a hat. A wide brim can help protect your ears, face and neck. --Grab some cool shades to protect your eyes. Look for 99 percent of 100 percent UV protection. --Stay cool. During the hottest part of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), it's best to relax in the shade or stay indoors. --Never, ever leave a child or pet in a vehicle during hot weather -- even if it's only for a few minutes. --Drink plenty of water. Drink even more if you're active outdoors. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat's effects on your body worse. This is especially true with beer, which dehydrates the body. --Watch for signs of heat stroke, which can be life-threatening. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing. Call 911 or your local EMS number and move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body by wrapping wet sheets around it and fanning the person. Watch for signs of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down. --Wear foot protection: Many times, people's feet can get burned from the sand or cut from glass in the sand or on pavement.

General water safety --Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone. --Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard. --Read and obey all rules and posted signs. --Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water. --Be careful if you're too tired, too cold, too far from safety, have had too much sun or too much strenuous activity. --Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep). --Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth charges, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located. The more informed you are, the more aware you will be of hazards and safe practices. --Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather. --Use a feet-first entry when entering the water. --Enter head first only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions. --Never mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating.