DARBOY, WI (WTAQ) – The Fourth of July is a great time to celebrate with family and friends, but it is also a time to keep safety in mind.
That’s especially true when it comes to outdoor activities and a strong desire to enjoy summer and the holiday after a long, cold winter.
“It is very easy to forget about how dangerous the heat can be.”
Dr. Abby Abby Smolcich, a pediatrician with ThedaCare Physicians-Pediatrics-Darboy, says no matter the temperatures, too much sun and not enough precautionary action can lead to serious medical issues like heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
She says certain things should be done no matter if you feel hot or not.
“Taking those breaks, going into cooler areas and making sure you are drinking enough water.”
She says both heat exhaustion and heat stroke can affect people of all ages.
“With heat exhaustion, some of the signs are a faster heartbeat, dry skin and overall not feeling great, and that can progress into the symptoms of heat stroke very quickly which include dizziness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting.
When it comes to playing in the water, Dr. Smolcich says parents need to be on guard at all times and that may mean changing their habits.
While lifejackets are important for children and adults to wear in the water, it does not replace proper supervision.
“Putting your cell phone down, making sure you are not drinking alcohol and really watching your children around water or on the boat.”
Dr. Smolcich says a parent who is distracted by other activity or under the influence of alcohol may not have as good of judgment to prevent dangerous behavior.
Proper sunscreen usage is also important.
When choosing your sunscreen, it is important to make sure is a nice broad spectrum, a UVA or UVB protector and is best effective when applied every two hours.
