Sun & Heat Safety

Stay cool and protected this year with Hill Physicians guidelines and resources on sun and heat safety.

Sun Safety Guidelines | Heat Related Illnesses | Summer First Aid Kit

Protecting Your Skin From Sun Damage

Warm weather is finally here and with the heat comes more skin exposed to the sun. Hill Physicians hopes the following quick resource links will help you and your family enjoy the benefits of the sun without the risk of UV damage.Download Sun Tips

Quick Sun Safety Guidelines

UV protection is essential from your eyes to your toes. These quick tips may help keep you safe this summer:

Sunglasses with UV protection are essential to prevent cataracts.
Use sunscreen products with a higher sun protection factor (SPF). They protect longer and screen out more harmful UV rays.
Stay out of the sun between 10 am and 4 pm.
Avoid tanning salons. Try a sunless tanning lotion instead.
Wear treated clothing with an ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) of 30 or more.
On every birthday have a partner check your skin including palms, soles of feet and scalp. Keep full body photos to compare skin changes over time.
Coffee fiends rejoice: Studies show caffeinated coffee might reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.

Is your sunscreen as good as it claims? See how yours measures up in the Environmental Working Group's recent study.

More information: Protecting your skin from ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer | Take the sun safety quiz

Staying Cool in the Heat

Keep the effects of a hot day at bay. Older individuals and young children are especially susceptible to the dangerous hot temperatures of summer. Learn to stay safe this summer with these tips from Hill Physicians:

Heat Related Illnesses

Understand your symptoms, their cause and how to prevent heat illnesses

Emergency Aid for Heat Stroke

First call 911, then take these steps to come to the aid of some one affected

Stay Hydrated

Small children can easily become dehydrated in the heat. Learn to recognize the signs here

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Summer First Aid

With warm weather turning hot, chances are we are all spending more time outside. The possibilities of getting overheated, sunburned or burned by a backyard grill is at an all-time high.

Hill Physicians has provided a Q&A about common hot weather health and safety topics to arm you with basic first aid and injury prevention knowledge.

SUN AND HEAT

Question: When should you apply sunscreen?

Answer: Thirty minutes before going out. Reapply sunscreen SPF 30 or higher every two to three hours whether it’s waterproof or not.

Question: You can calculate how much ultraviolet (UV) exposure you are getting by your shadow. True or False?

Answer: True. If your shadow is shorter than you, your UV exposure is high, so your risk of sunburn is increased.

Question: You ice a burn as soon as possible to reduce pain and swelling. True or False?

Answer: False. Ice can actually cause frostbite. You should quickly cool the burned area with water. Soothing lotions with aloe vera can be used once the burn is completely cooled.

INJURY PREVENTION

Question: Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among children ages 1 to 19. True or false?

Answer: True. Children need to know how to swim. Teach your children swimming skills and how to be safe around water. And if you don't know how to swim, learn! You should learn swimming survival and rescue techniques too. The life you save may be yours or your child's. Prevent Drowning by Teaching Children Swimming Safety. . .

Practice the Triple A's of Healthy Swimming

Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are common this time of year. Learn a few simple steps you can take to reduce your risk from RWIs.

Question: Your tennis partner twists her ankle, and it starts to swell. Should you get the aspirin or acetaminophen?

Answer: Aspirin. It contains salicylates that reduce pain and inflammation.
Acetaminophen reduces pain but not inflammation. As soon as possible, follow "RICE" – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

Question: You’re playing softball. It’s hot, and you feel tired and cranky. What should you do?

Answer: Drink water in the shade to get rehydrated.

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FOOD SAFETY

Question: How long can food sit at room temperature and be served safely?

Answer: Never leave meat, poultry, eggs, fish or shellfish (raw or cooked) out at room temperature for more than two hours (one hour in hot weather). Chill leftovers as soon as you finish eating.

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