5 minute read
Keep These Summer Health and Safety Tips in Mind
By: Military Health System Communications Office
While COVID-19 may have caused you to rearrange your original summertime plans, there’s still plenty you can do outdoors. However, now more than ever, you’ll need to practice good health and safety habits. By doing so, you’ll not only protect your own health, but the health of someone else, too. During this summer season, the Military Health System (MHS) is encouraging you to follow summer safety tips to help prevent health emergencies during summer activities.
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Below you can find safety tips and resources to help you enjoy your summer plans:
1. Keep Your Distance
Remember to make sure you practice social distancing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Social distancing, also called ‘physical distancing,’ means keeping a safe space between yourself and other people who are not from your household.”
Whenever you’re out in public, the CDC recommends that you:
Maintain 6 feet of social distance. Wear a face mask or cloth face covering if you can’t maintain 6 feet of social distance. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
2. Don’t Forget Your Sunblock
Are you spending more time outside in the sun? If so, make sure you’re prepared to protect your skin. According to the CDC, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. Too
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much exposure to sunrays can lead to skin cancer, which the American Cancer Society says is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. The encouraging news is that most skin cancers can be prevented.
When you and your family are spending time outside, use these tips to stay safe in the sun:
Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Wear clothing that covers your skin. Avoid direct sunlight by sitting in the shade or using an umbrella. Wear a hat to protect your face, head, ears, and neck. Wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays.
If you’re at a higher risk of developing skin cancer, get checked out. TRICARE covers skin cancer exams for individuals with a family or personal history of skin cancer, increased occupational or recreational exposure to sunlight, or clinical evidence of precursor lesions.
3. Be Safe in and Around Water
When you’re relaxing on the beach or at the pool, you may not be looking for accidents. But another big part of summer safety is water safety, especially for children. The CDC states, “Drownings are a leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 14.” Adults, including service members, are also at risk for unintentional drownings during training, occupational activities, or off-duty recreation. So, it’s important to understand the environments you’re in.
Here are some key prevention tips to keep in mind the next time you’re in or near water:
Learn life-saving skills. Know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and CPR. Make life jackets a must. Make sure you and your kids wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean, even if you know how to swim. Life jackets can be used in and around pools for weaker swimmers, too.
Be on the lookout. When your kids are in or near water (including bathtubs), you should closely supervise them at all times. Because drowning happens quickly and quietly, adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like playing cards, reading books, talking on the phone, and using alcohol or drugs.
The CDC also recommends that you use caution if you’re enjoying water activities in public:
Stay at least 6 feet away from people you don’t live with. Avoid crowded swim areas, beaches, pools, water playgrounds, and hot tubs where you can’t stay 6 feet away from others. Wear cloth face coverings when you aren’t in the water. And remember, if you happen to sustain a nonemergency injury, TRICARE may cover your urgent care needs. You can also use the MHS Nurse Advice Line to get health advice from a registered nurse anytime and at no cost. If you’re in the U.S., Guam, or Puerto Rico, call 1-800-TRICARE (1-800-874- 2273), then choose option 1. You can find all other country-specific phone numbers on the website. The MHS Nurse Advice Line isn’t for emergencies. If you reasonably believe you have an emergency, always call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Are you looking for more health and safety tips? Check out the Military Health System’s Summer Safety Month page. By practicing proper safety, you can stay safe while enjoying your favorite outdoor activities.
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COVID-19 | ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING 21
2020 School and Sports Physicals Day
Thursday, August 20, 2020 BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, 7:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pediatrics, River Pavilion, Floor 1, Reception 3.
To reserve a spot or if you have any questions: Please call the Pediatrics Front Desk at (571) 231-1015 or Central Appointments at (855) 227-6331, Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Eligible children must meet ALL the following criteria:
Are between the ages of 5 to 18 years old
Will be entering Kindergarten through 12th grade
Enrolled in TRICARE Prime and assigned to
FBCH Pediatrics
Overall healthy without any chronic medical issues
Does not require additional medical clearance or medication forms
Call (855) 227-6331 for an appointment!
NOTE: The Physicals appointment is not intended to accommodate well-child visits, preschool (ages 3 to 4), non-physical appointments, college-entrance physicals, acute care issues, exams for patients with complex medical needs, or patients requiring medication/allergy/asthma forms.
01362-03-10-2020-Flyer
Website: tricare.mil/mtf/belvoirhospital Facebook: facebook.com/belvoirhospital Twitter: @belvoirhospital Instagram: instgram.com/belvoirhospital Flickr: flickr.com/photos/belvoirhospital LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fort-belvoir-community-hospital YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCOSpkMriE4R9Kc1JVqXdDzQ
9300 DeWitt Loop Fort Belvoir, VA 22060 Information: (571) 231-FBCH (3224) TTY: (571) 231-1799 Appointments: (855) 227-6331
