6 Safety Tips for a Day in the Sun

(NC) A day at the beach, the pool or on the dock is a great way to enjoy some fun in the sun. But when you’re out in the sunshine all day, heat illnesses can come on quickly. They can be incredibly dangerous or even deadly. Fortunately, they are highly preventable with a few simple tips.

WATCH THE WEATHER Tune in to local forecasts or sign up to receive heat alerts on your phone so you know when to take extra care. If it’s available in your area, check the Air Quality Health Index since air pollution is often worse on very hot days. Just as you might plan your day out to avoid rainstorms, consider rescheduling during a heat alert too. You could change your plans to another day or a cooler part of it.

PACK SOME SHADE Did you know that it can be about 5°C cooler under the shade of a tree compared to the surrounding area? It’s worth it to secure a spot in the shade for your next picnic and to bring a big umbrella or sunshade to the beach.

DRESS APPROPRIATELY If the weather forecast is calling for a heat wave, you’re probably not reaching for jeans. But make sure you choose something loose-fitting, lightweight and breathable. This will keep your body cooler and let your sweat evaporate so you can feel less hot and sticky. Don’t forget your sunglasses and a wide-brimmed, breathable hat.

LOAD UP ON LIQUIDS Feeling thirsty is not a good sign of how hydrated you are, especially in hot weather, so remember to drink water or other hydrating liquids before you feel thirsty. Pack a cooler with ice and reusable water bottles for your day out – a double-walled bottle will keep your beverage cooler for longer. Include some fruit and vegetables with high water content in your snack pack too, like watermelon or grapes.

HAVE A BUDDY If you’re out with a group of friends or families –keep an eye on each other to make sure you’re handling the heat okay. You can also help each other remember to keep hydrated and reapply sunscreen. Watch for symptoms including dizziness, nausea, headache, or rapid breathing or heartbeat. Move to a cool place and drink water if you or your buddy have any of these symptoms during extreme heat.

Dear Readers –

July for me means parades, picnics, beaches, barbeques, festivals, outdoor concerts, and of course, Canada Day, which for me, is synonymous with fireworks. July 1st is kind of like Canada’s birthday, which is kismet, since it’s also my birthday. My earliest birthday memories were bundling up to brave the mosquitos with my family to watch the fireworks - along with the rest of the town, coming together to be social and enjoy the wonder and awe of fireworks bursting in the sky. Over the years, my birthday has never felt complete without gathering to view the fireworks display with neighbours, friends and family each year.

As a foodie, I look forward to summer for the wealth of great fresh seasonal ingredients and simple easy food prep, dishes that don’t need a lot of fuss that let the flavour of the fresh garden produce shine. With summer feeling so short, who has time for a lot of complicated cooking anyway? Simple food on the grill, summer salads, fresh berry desserts… it really is the best month for ‘grazing’ – a great charcuterie board is what hits the spot many nights. In this issue I’ve shared a few of my own favourite summer recipes, hope you enjoy making them as much as I have over the years.

I also have great love for foraged foods – morels and puffballs especially. Sadly, I’m not very good at the actual foraging (too busy being distracted by the beauty of nature all around me?) I must depend on the kindness of friends and family to share their foraged finds with me. (Shameless hint, I know. It’s simply because I love morels and puffballs so very much!)

While my camping days are behind me, I do like to explore Ontario with mini-vacations… or sometimes just being a ‘tourist from home’. We do live in the greatest area, with so much to see and do, we welcome tourists from all over the world who agree how beautiful our region is.

We’d love to know what you like best about South Georgian Bay, and also about the magazine. We’re so happy to connect with our community, so if you have a story or pictures to share, we’d love to receive them, maybe they’ll be featured in an upcoming issue.

Happy Summer! Be well, stay safe.

Joy Fleury

ON A WARM DAY, the temperature in a car can exceed 120° in a matter of minutes -- even with the windows partially open.

Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car for any period of time.