The sun is melting my soul…
Cassandra Cunningham
Issue date: 7/1/09 Section: News
Summer is here, and though that brings many blessings, it brings a curse, and that curse is called heat! With heat indexes reaching nearly 112 degrees in the last few weeks comes sunburn, dehydration, heat exhaustion and sometimes heat stroke. Though these things can be terrible, they are 100% preventable. Staying cool and keeping safe in the summer heat doesn't mean having to stay inside all day. There are creative and fun ways to keep safe in the heat.
For the average Jane and Joe, follow the basic guidelines for summer heat: drink plenty of water, apply sunscreen throughout the day, and head inside when it gets to be too hot. But what about rules for diehard summer people? There are alternative ways to stay safe and have fun without having to head inside.
Water baseball is a fun way to beat the heat. Head to the backyard and make a baseball field with three bases and home plate. Get some Splash water balls which are made of cloth and are made to absorb and hold water when dipped in a sink or a bucket, a bucket of water or pick an area near a water faucet, a plastic bat and a group of friends split into two teams. Dip the balls into the bucket or under the faucet and play a regular game of baseball with an added twist. The batter is sure to get soaked if the ball comes into contact with the bat and anyone who catches it will too. Before the end of the game everyone will be dripping with water instead of sweat!
Having a water war is another great way to stay cool. Gather everything possible that holds water, balloons, buckets, water guns, splash balls, etc, pick a place where hiding spots are prominent such as the woods, a big backyard, or an empty park (bystanders not in the water war may not appreciate getting soaked), and play by teams or every man/woman for themselves. Have everyone break apart with their water device and go at it! There is no real ending or point, just get everyone or the other team as soaked as possible. It is a sure fire way to have a couple hours of fun and keep everyone safe and cool.
Plan a water park day in the backyard. Grab some friends and have everyone chip in on a couple of cheap plastic kiddy pools and a Slip-N-Slide. (Slip-N-Slides and kiddy pools aren't just for little kids, they can be for grown-ups too). Everyone can relax with their feet in the pool and sliding down a Slip-N-Slide all afternoon.
And to make sure you stay completely safe in the heat, always make sure to follow the basic guidelines when conducting any of these activities and anything else that requires being outside. Drink as much water as possible. Keeping the body hydrated is very important, especially if sweating. Apply the strongest sun block possible. The sun damages skin and can increase the risk of skin cancer upon excessive exposure. Sun block decreases the damage and keeps from getting a sun burn which can lead to sun poisoning and serious skin damage. And if it gets too hot, give it up and head inside until it starts to get cool again.
For the average Jane and Joe, follow the basic guidelines for summer heat: drink plenty of water, apply sunscreen throughout the day, and head inside when it gets to be too hot. But what about rules for diehard summer people? There are alternative ways to stay safe and have fun without having to head inside.
Water baseball is a fun way to beat the heat. Head to the backyard and make a baseball field with three bases and home plate. Get some Splash water balls which are made of cloth and are made to absorb and hold water when dipped in a sink or a bucket, a bucket of water or pick an area near a water faucet, a plastic bat and a group of friends split into two teams. Dip the balls into the bucket or under the faucet and play a regular game of baseball with an added twist. The batter is sure to get soaked if the ball comes into contact with the bat and anyone who catches it will too. Before the end of the game everyone will be dripping with water instead of sweat!
Having a water war is another great way to stay cool. Gather everything possible that holds water, balloons, buckets, water guns, splash balls, etc, pick a place where hiding spots are prominent such as the woods, a big backyard, or an empty park (bystanders not in the water war may not appreciate getting soaked), and play by teams or every man/woman for themselves. Have everyone break apart with their water device and go at it! There is no real ending or point, just get everyone or the other team as soaked as possible. It is a sure fire way to have a couple hours of fun and keep everyone safe and cool.
Plan a water park day in the backyard. Grab some friends and have everyone chip in on a couple of cheap plastic kiddy pools and a Slip-N-Slide. (Slip-N-Slides and kiddy pools aren't just for little kids, they can be for grown-ups too). Everyone can relax with their feet in the pool and sliding down a Slip-N-Slide all afternoon.
And to make sure you stay completely safe in the heat, always make sure to follow the basic guidelines when conducting any of these activities and anything else that requires being outside. Drink as much water as possible. Keeping the body hydrated is very important, especially if sweating. Apply the strongest sun block possible. The sun damages skin and can increase the risk of skin cancer upon excessive exposure. Sun block decreases the damage and keeps from getting a sun burn which can lead to sun poisoning and serious skin damage. And if it gets too hot, give it up and head inside until it starts to get cool again.
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