Thursday, July 9 | Volume 40 No.17

9 Tips to Help You Stay Safe This Summer monary Resuscitation (CPR):

When performed by bystanders during an emergency, CPR can

• WESTSIDESTORY NEWSPAPER
• Letter to the Editor:
• Summer is Not a Deadline:

help save lives and improve out- Give Yourself Permission to By Dr. Damanpreet Jamarai, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealth- care Medicare & Retirement of California

Summer brings long days, fam- ily vacations, afternoons by the pool and more time outside. But as temperatures rise and families head to the water, it's also a time- to be extra mindful about staying safe. From heat-related illness to sun exposure and drowning risks, a few simple precautions can help make sure summer fun stays just that - fun.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe in the sun, especially around water:

Take Swimming Lessons to Re- duce Risk of Drowning: Accord- ing to the latest CDC data, un- intentional drowning remains a leading cause of death for young children in the United States. More children ages 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of death, and drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional in- jury death for children ages 5-14. Every year in the United States, there are over 4,000 fatal uninten- tional drownings - an average of 11 drowning deaths per day.

Wear a Life Jacket During Water- Based Activities: Pool toys, such as noodles or inner tubes, should not be used in lieu of a life jacket as they are not designed to keep swimmers safe. For children, choosing bright-colored swim- suits can also make it easier to spot them in the water.

Learn and Practice Cardiopulcomes for drowning victims. The sooner CPR starts, the better the chance of a positive outcome.

Prepare for Weather: Strong winds and thunderstorms can be dangerous when you are in or around water, so check the fore- cast before boating or swimming and head to shore right away if storms develop.

Reapply Sunscreen Every Two Hours to Protect Your Skin if You Remain in the Sun: Sunscreen pro- tection levels are categorized us- ing a sun protection factor (SPF) number that rates how well they block UV rays with higher num- bers indicating more protection. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply at least every two hours, or more often after swimming or sweating.

Wear Protective Clothing, a Hat and Sunglasses: When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts, pants or skirts that can help protect against UV rays. Clothes made from tight- ly woven fabric, along with hats that have wide brims to cover the face, ears and back of the neck, provide the best protection. Protect Infants and Children from the Heat: Infants and young chil- dren rely on adults to help keep them cool and hydrated. Dress them in loose, lightweight cloth- ing, offer water frequently and monitor for early signs of over- heating, especially during out- door play, never leave a child in a parked car.

Stay Cool and Hydrated: As the weather warms up, remember to drink lots of water. Increase fluids during heat or physical activity and consider electrolyte replace- ment for prolonged exertion. Lim- it alcohol and caffeinated drinks.

Help Older Adults Stay Safe in Extreme Heat: Adults age 65 and older are more prone to heat-re- lated health problems. Encourage them to stay in air-conditioned spaces as muchas possible, drink water regularly without waiting until they feel thirsty, wear loose, lightweight clothing and check in with family, friends or neighbors during periods of extreme heat.

Slow Down design anhology

Summer is often presented as the season when everyone should be traveling, attending events, spend- ing time outdoors and creating picture-perfect memories. Social media can make it seem as though every weekend must be filled with vacations, festivals, brunches and carefully planned adventures.

But for many people, summer does not feel carefree.

Some are working longer hours. Others are caring for children who are home from school, helping ag- ing relatives, managing financial stress or simply trying to keep up with everyday responsibilities. Even when the weather is bright, life can still feel heavy. That is why this summer may be the per- fect time to let go of the pressure to constantly perform happiness.

Rest does not always mean tak- ing an expensive vacation. Some- times rest looks like turning off the phone for an hour, sitting outside in the evening, reading a book, taking a slow walk or saying no to plans that feel more exhaust- ing than enjoyable. It can also mean allowing yourself to have a quiet weekend without feeling as though you are wasting time.

This is also a good season to check in with yourself emotion- ally. Ask whether the pace of your life is helping you or simply keeping you distracted. Consider whether the people around you bring peace, encouragement and In a culture that often rewards balance, or whether certain relabusyness, slowing down can feel tionships consistently leave you uncomfortable. Many people have become so accustomed to moving from one responsibility to anoth- er that they no longer recognize when they are physically and emo- tionally drained. The body usually sends signals before burnout ar- rives. Irritability, trouble sleeping, lack of motivation, constant fa- tigue and difficulty concentrating may all be signs that it is time to pause. Ignoring those signs does not make them disappear.

Summer can be used as a natu- ral reset. The longer days create opportunities to rethink routines, reconnect with loved ones and make small changes that support a healthier lifestyle. That might include preparing more meals at home, spending less time online, drinking more water, getting more sleep or setting aside one evening each week with no obligations. The goal does not have to be a dramatic transformation. Small changes are often more realistic and more sustainable.

See "Summer is..." page 8