We spend so much time looking forward to summer. When it is here, we need to be careful – the sun is increasingly dangerous, for so many reasons that we do not consider. Please note: I embedded links to easy articles. Please conduct your own research for more in-depth information.

First – Exposure to Heat. Hydrate, stay in the shade, listen to your body. If you feel tired, pay attention and rest. If your joints ache – hydrate with electrolytes (but avoid sugary drinks). Remember you are perspiring, more than you realize, especially if your skin feels cooled by passing breezes. Avoid Heatstroke, a condition caused by the body overheating. This usually happens because of exposure to high temperatures or physical activity in high temperatures for too long. There are a few stages of heat injury, and Skin cancer is always a concern especially as the ozone lawyer becomes lighter and the suns rays are less filtered. If you are fair skinned, screen for skin cancer annually. If you have more melatonin – your doctor may not wish to see you as often. This check up is a life saver, as when caught early, this cancer can be managed.

Skin care routines are important if you enjoy the sun. Hydrate before hand, hydrate and protect while in the sun, and hydrate your skin afterwards. This helps avoid the lines and dried out look of those who spend all their time outside, in the sun, and develop a leathery look.

Don’t forget your car. Never leave a living creature, unable to manage the doors and windows, in your car on a hot day – even with the windows open, or the engine running and the air conditioning on. It gets very very hot, very very quickly. Pets and human babies can die in the heat. A surprising number do, each year.

Consider your home. You may not be able to afford to keep it fully air-conditioned, in which case consider cooling down your bedroom for half an hour before going to bed. You do not need to leave all your air conditioning units on when you are not at home – this can overtax ageing grids and cause heatstroke is the most serious. It can happen if body temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or higher. Heatstroke is most common in the summer months.

Heatstroke needs emergency care. If it's not treated, heatstroke can quickly damage the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. This damage gets worse the longer treatment is delayed, which increases the risk of serious complications or death.

Next – you may be taken medication that does not react well to sunlight. Check the side effects and contra-indications on your prescriptions – these 13 medications enhance photosensitivity. Not only creams can have a bad reactions, some medications also suggest you avoid being in direct sunlight.

electric failures in communities. I find that either turning off the air conditioning when I go out in the morning and using a timer to turn it on before I get home is more than sufficient and save a surprising amount on my electric bill. Likewise – setting it at 84 when I leave, and returning it to 78 when I get in, keeps the home pleasant.

Think about your sheets – you are likely perspiring more than usual, and it may be good to wash your bedclothes and sheets more frequently than you might normally. Breathable cottons tend to be more comfortable than satins and synthetics.

Some people like hot showers at any time of year. I find that I turn the heat level on my boiler down in the summer, as I do not want scalding hot water. I also turn the on-demand water boiler heat down when I go away for a bit – the cost of always having hot water ready for use – when no one is there – is also surprisingly high.

Stay cool, think of your neighborhood and use a little less electricity than you might feel entitled to, and hydrate plentifully. You know you are not hydrating enough if your urine is dark – a simple trick learned from years in Africa. Sorry if it is Too Much Information – but it can help you stay healthy all summer long!

My email – secretary@nfbpwc.org is always open! Thank you!

Nermin K. Ahmad

NFBPWC Secretary

2024-2026