CLAY COUNTY – With summer temperatures rising and outdoor activities in full swing, the Florida Department of Health and Clay County Fire Rescue are sharing a few tips to help you enjoy your summer adventures safely.

We’re encouraging the community to focus on six key areas: sun safety, hydration, outdoor activity safety, food safety, insect protection and heat safety.

Tips include wearing sunscreen, avoiding sugary drinks, having a designated “water watcher” around pools, checking for ticks and recognizing the signs of heat exhaustion. Keep reading for a full breakdown.

Sun safety
Wear sunscreen: Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before you go outside. Reapply every two hours, especially if you are swimming or sweating.

Seek shade: Try to stay in the shade, especially during 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This helps prevent sunburn and skin damage.

Protective clothing: Wear lightweight, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and a wide brimmed hat. Sunglasses that block UV rays can protect your eyes, too.
Hydration
Drink plenty of water: Aim for at least eight glasses of water a day and drink more if you’re active or outside.

Avoid Sugary Drinks: Sugary drinks like soda can make you thirsty. It’s safer to drink water or drinks with electrolytes, especially if you’re involved in physical activity.

Outdoor activities
Play smart: When hiking, biking or swimming, pay attention to your surroundings. Stay on marked trails and know the area’s rules.

Supervise children: Always watch kids when they are outside, especially near water. Have a designated "water watcher" at pool parties to ensure everyone stays safe.

Wear proper gear: Use helmets when biking or skating, and make sure kids wear life jackets when swimming or boating.

Food safety
Keep food fresh: When having a picnic or barbecue, keep perishable foods in a cooler. Don’t leave food outside in the heat for more than two hours.

Cook thoroughly: Make sure meats are cooked to the right temperature to kill harmful germs. A food thermometer is a handy tool to help you check.

Insect protection
Use insect repellent: Put on insect repellent to prevent bites from mosquitoes and ticks.

Check for ticks: After being outdoors, especially in wooded areas, check yourself and your pets for ticks. Remove any ticks carefully and quickly. To do that, use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible and pull upward with even pressure. Do not twist or jerk because that can cause the head or parts of the tick’s mouth to break off and stay in the skin. Apply alcohol to the bite mark and flush the tick down the toilet.

Heat safety
Know the signs of heat exhaustion: watch for signs like heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness and nausea. If you notice these signs, move to a cooler place and drink water.

Take breaks: when playing outside, take breaks in the shade or inside to cool down.
For more information on how to stay safe and healthy this summer and a complete list of programs and services, visit Clay.FloridaHealth.gov.