Are You Nature-Proof?

7/30/2019

With warm weather ahead, you can’t wait to hit the trails for a long hike or pack your tackle box for a day at the lake. But does your outdoor prep get a passing grade? Before you head outdoors, put your readiness to the test.

• HOW MANY BANDAGES SHOULD BE IN YOUR FIRST-AID KIT? The American Red Cross recommends having 25 bandages of various sizes in a first-aid kit for a family of four, as well as roller (wrap) bandages and triangular (sling) bandages. Speaking of first-aid kits, when was the last time you checked yours? Antibiotic ointment, pain medicine and batteries can expire. Check dates and replace these items as needed.
• WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE SUN’S RAYS DOES A WHITE T-SHIRT BLOCK? According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a white T-shirt has an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 5. That means it lets in one-fifth, or 20 percent, of the sun’s harmful UV rays — and even more when it gets wet. That much UV exposure can do real damage over several hours. For better protection, wear a shirt with a 50-UPF rating.
• HOW LONG CAN GRILLED MEAT SIT AT ROOM TEMP BEFORE IT’S UNSAFE TO EAT? Raw or cooked meat shouldn’t be eaten after two hours of being unrefrigerated, or after one hour if it’s kept in an area above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, says the United States Department of Agriculture. If you’re grilling out or cooking over a campfire, make sure uncooked meat stays out of the “danger zone” of more than 40 degrees. That may mean throwing away or refrigerating uneaten food.
• TRUE OR FALSE: APPLYING NAIL POLISH TO A TICK THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE SKIN IS THE SAFEST WAY TO REMOVE IT. False. This and other creative methods for getting a tick to detach itself can aggravate the tick and make it latch on more firmly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using needle-nose tweezers to remove as much of the embedded tick as possible as soon as it’s found.

Sun Smart
The sun is one of the biggest outdoor threats to your health. Limited exposure to the sun’s rays benefits your health as sunlight increases the body’s supply of vitamin D, according to the National Institutes of Health. When outdoors, keep your skin covered from head to toe, including these commonly overlooked areas:

• Eyes — Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and the thin, sensitive skin around them.
• Lips — Use lipstick or lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
• Feet — If you wear sandals, don’t forget to apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to the tops of your feet.
• Ears and head — Apply sunscreen to the tops of your ears and any bald spots, and wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Even if you’re prepared, medical emergencies can still occur in the outdoors. Be prepared to go to your nearest emergency department or call 911. For information about our emergency services, click “Emergency Services” under the “Services” tab.

This is a public service announcement by Starke Hospital.

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