Avoid These Summer Bummers...

UV Protection

Eye Protection

Did you know that long-term exposure to UV rays can damage your eyes, and over time lead to vision loss? Always adequately protect your eyes from the sun, wind, and water.

Here are some tips:

- Use everyday eyewear with UV-blocking lens materials and special coatings that absorb UV rays.
- Buy and wear sunglasses with labels indicating they block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays. Make sure they reduce glare, protect your entire eye area, and don't distort colors.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat or cap. This can block up to half of UV rays, especially those sneaking in from above or around your sunglasses.

Sunscreen

While there's nothing wrong with wearing sunscreen all day, it's most important to use it between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is strongest. And don't count on a cloudy day or a dip in the pool to shield you. Harmful ultraviolet rays can penetrate clouds and up to 3 feet of water you can also get scorched by rays that bounce off sand, water and even your patio deck.

Stinger Zingers

When wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets attack, they leave behind stingers and venom that can cause reactions. Irritation and inflammation at the site are most common, but allergic reaction can be serious and life-threatening. If pursued by a stinging insect, walk calmly away. Don't swat, flail your arms, or move suddenly. Protect your head if attacked by a swarm.

Health in Action

Water is essential to life. It's the best drink for staying hydrated and energized at any time of year. Have a tall glass several times a day.

Health Care Consumer Tip

Before your travel, have your health care and medication prescription strategy prepared in case of an injury or illness - or if you forget or lose your medicine. Keep a first-aid kit handy to clean and treat wounds and help prevent infection.

Keep a First Aid Kit at the Ready

Having a first-aid kit in your home may be a no-brainer; but sometimes when one is needed, it is not readily located or well-stocked.

Some common items that you should include in a first-aid kit are: