Summer Safety with Emergency Medicine Physician, Tara Robinette, MD

Summer in the Upper Peninsula brings its fair share of outdoor activities including swimming, kayaking, boating, sitting in the sun, and much more. But with all the excitement around summer, many tend to forget a few key safety tips for keeping your summer fun and injury or illness free. Emergency Medicine Physician, Tara Robinette, MD, UP Health System – Portage, talks about heat, water and sun safety prevention, and the importance behind them. 

Q: Heat-related illnesses are the number one weather-related killer in the United States. How can community members prevent/protect themselves from the heat this summer?

A: Heat-related illnesses include a wide spectrum of illnesses ranging from heat cramps to heat syncope (fainting or passing out) to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Symptoms can be mild (feeling hot, sweaty or dizzy) to severe resulting in death. The risk of someone suffering from one of these illnesses depends on multiple factors including age, underlying health conditions, medications, underlying fitness level, activity level, hydration status, and the specifics of the weather (temperature, humidity and sun exposure).

The key to preventing these illnesses is prevention. Stay hydrated when you are outside. Take frequent breaks in the shade. If possible, adjust your activities to early morning or in the evening when it is cooler. If activities are exertional, train appropriately for the activity. Also, wearing a hat and light-colored, loose-fitting clothes with materials that are breathable can help prevent heat-related illnesses. 

Q: There is no shortage of lakes, beaches, or pools in the Upper Peninsula. Whether you or your family find yourself poolside, lakeside, or beachside, what are a few water safety tips we should all keep in mind to ensure safe swimming for everyone?

A: When near the water, there are several steps you can take to stay safe. For children, there should always be a dedicated adult watching each child and staying within arm's reach. Get children enrolled in swimming lessons at an early age — both to teach them how to swim and teach them respect for the water. For adults, know your limitations near the water. Do not combine alcohol with water activities. When on the boat and enjoying water sports, always wear a life jacket. Finally, make sure you wear sunscreen, stay hydrated and stay cool.

Q: July is UV Sun Safety Month. As the UV waves tend to increase and be more harmful to our skin, what can we all do to enjoy the sun and protect our skin at the same?

A: Protecting your skin helps prevent sunburns in the short term — and helps prevent damage to the skin which could lead to skin cancer in the long run. Wear sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or greater whenever outside. Reapply frequently (approximately every 2 hours) especially if swimming or using a towel to dry off. Wear a hat to cover your head and shield your face from the sun. Wear long sleeves/long pants if possible, and stay in the shade. Keeping your skin protected with keep you looking younger and longer and reduce your risk of skin cancer.

For more information about summer safety tips, visit the American Cancer Society website. In the event of an emergency, the care teams at UP Health System – Portage are staffed 24/7 with emergency physicians and nurses who are well-trained and equipped to provide emergency care when you need it. For more information about our emergency services, visit UPHealthSystem.com/Get-Care-Now.

For more serious injuries, call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency room.