Thursday, May 9, 2024 Keep summer fun and safe with 4 key tips
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Ahhhh...summertime. It's a feeling everyone can relate to – a carefree, wide-open feeling of possibility.
Between lounging outside with your favorite playlist, soaking up the sun, and entertaining friends, it's important to remember some key safety tips.
Here's a guide to summer break reminders to keep you safe and having fun all season long.
Protect your skin in the sun.
Apply sunscreen to all your uncovered areas and reapply often. Choose a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Look for sunscreens that say broad spectrum or UVA/UVB protection on their labels and avoid sunscreens that contain harmful chemicals like benzene.
Remember your pours.
It's vital to be mindful of your alcohol intake. A standard drink is considered to be 12 ounces of beer, but it's worth noting that drinking three pints actually equals four standard drinks due to the larger volume. Similarly, a standard drink of wine is about 5 ounces, and for hard alcohol (80 Proof), it's 1.5 ounces.
Many mixed drinks contain multiple types of alcohol, so it's crucial to be aware of what you're consuming and how much alcohol might be in each drink.
RELATED: UNL's Mocktail Mixology serves up fun and creative nonalcoholic concoctions.
Stay hydrated.
Alcohol functions as a diuretic, which, when combined with the dehydrating effects of summer heat, can intensify its impact. In hot weather conditions, it's crucial to slow dehydration by alternating alcohol intake with water.
Alternating drinks does not negate the drinking that you have done. It is meant to be a way to slow the consumption of alcohol. Remember: It takes about hour for one standard drink to the process through your body.
Be wise on the water.
More drownings occur in July than any other month, as reported by the National Safety Council. A significant number of these tragic incidents involve alcohol, with a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicating that 31% of all drownings occur with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of 0.10% or higher.
Stay safe on the water by designating a sober boater, just like you do for driving a vehicle. Even though the legal limit is 0.08, having even half of that can impair your ability to navigate safely. Sober drivers need to be extra cautious, especially when towing skiers, wakeboarders, or tubers. Taking a pledge to stay sober while boating can significantly reduce the risk of accidents.