(Source: McClatchy/Tribune)
When the temperature rises, droves of summer outdoors enthusiasts head to the beach. Some people simply enjoy mixing soaking up the rays with an occasional dip in the seawater. Others though take a more active approach with swimming, surfing, a long jog or a joining a game of beach volleyball.
But individuals should adhere to several safety considerations, especially potential health hazards posed by the sun.
The American Red Cross offers the following safety guidelines when spending time at a beach:
_Protect your skin: Wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher to protect the skin from sunlight's UVA and UVB rays, which can lead to skin cancer. Limit the amount of direct sunlight time, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
_Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine.
_Watch for heat stroke signals: Hot, red and dry skin, changes in consciousness, a rapid, weak pulse and shallow or quickened breathing can indicate a heat stroke risk. If you see someone with these symptoms, call 911 and move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body by wrapping wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice or cold packs, place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. Also keep the person lying down.
_Shield the eyes: Wear sunglasses to protect against damage from UV rays. Use sunglasses that absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight.
_Wear foot protection: A person's feet can get burned from sand, or suffer a cut from glass in the sand.
SOURCE: American Red Cross
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(c) 2009, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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