By James M. How
It doesn’t get much better than summertime in western North Carolina. Beautiful weather, kayaking, waterfalls, lavender picking and trail days. And that’s only a handful of things that are going on during our June-to-September summer. Growing up in Florida, the summer months (pretty much all year!) were so hot that you didn’t want to leave your home, which was another reason we decided to move to the mountains. Now we can’t wait to get out with our two dogs, Kea and Cooper.
During these months, we see an increase in visitors to our area – so it’s important to plan accordingly and remember some safety tips. June is National Safety Month, after all. The purpose of National Safety Month is to reduce the leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road, in our homes and in our communities. So let’s talk summer health tips as we’re getting ready to enjoy this beautiful weather and landscape that we have here in western North Carolina.
One thing that comes with summer is the sun. If you’re going to be in an area exposed to the sun for a long time, be sure to cover up and wear sunscreen. WebMD says, “For the vast majority of people, SPF 15 is fine…but people who have very fair skin, a family history of skin cancer, or conditions like lupus should consider SPF 30 or higher.” If you’ll be visiting some waterfalls or springs, bring some water-resistant sunscreen.
If you’ll be hitting the many biking trails or visiting the Biltmore to do some mountain bike rides, be sure to wear a helmet. Bike helmets truly do save lives. Yes, I know how hard-headed some of us can be, but a fall off a bike without a helmet can result in some serious damage – so protect that noggin of yours!
After a hike in the mountains or a trek through some grassy areas, do a thorough body check for ticks on yourself and your pets. If you do happen to find a tick having the best dinner of its life, remove it by grabbing it with some clean tweezers as close to the skin as possible to remove its head and mouthparts. If some of the mouthparts remain, don’t worry, your body will expel them naturally.
If you’re planning on an early morning walk or an evening dinner outdoors, insect repellant can be a lifesaver. Summertime means mosquitos and other annoying bugs that can ruin the moment. But like the other tips, if you prepare you should have a great time.
We’re so happy to be able to get out and moving again – the world seems to be waking up, and that’s a good thing. We miss people! As you’re planning your summer activities, be sure to see what events FirstCarolinaCare will be having in your area. We’re planning some in-person educational events that benefit everyone, so be sure to follow our Facebook page and visit our website for events near you. I promise, no ticks! Have a great summer, and we hope to see you around!
James How is a community outreach/Medicare advisor with FirstCarolinaCare. He loves living in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and enjoys hiking, camping or just sitting by an open fire with his wife, their two crazy dogs, Kea and Cooper, and a bag of marshmallows.
Like this article? Feel free to respond to FCCOutreach@FirstCarolinaCare.com. Thank you for reading!