Beach safety for your family

While the beach is a great place for families to unwind, relax and have fun, it is important that some basic safety rules are taken into account

Too much exposure to the sun can cause heat exhaustion or short and long-term damage to your skin. There may also be some dangers lurking within the apparently placid waters lapping at the shore. Taking the following steps can keep your family sand-and-surf safe so you can enjoy your time at the beach with peace of mind intact.

Sun and Sand

Sun exposure is one of the greatest dangers to consider at the beach. The sun can hurt you in two ways: heat illness and sun-induced skin damage. It is easy to become overheated while lounging on the beach. As the sun's rays beat down, the body's cooling system can become overwhelmed.

Heat exhaustion occurs as body temperature rises, preventing perspiration and leading to thirst, fatigue, and leg and abdominal cramps. Left untreated, heat exhaustion can develop into heat stroke, a potentially life-threatening condition.

While heat illness can strike anybody, certain groups are especially vulnerable. These include:

• Children
• The elderly
• People who are obese
• Patients with certain medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease

Taking steps to stay cool can help prevent heat illness. Sitting under an umbrella or in the shade can keep you cooler longer. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat also provides valuable shading. To keep from overheating, you should also drink plenty of water or other fluids. Remember to avoid alcohol and fluids that contain caffeine, which can cause dehydration.

It is especially important to take these precautions if you are on certain medication that inhibits sweating. Drugs that can have this effect include antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants and diuretics.

The sun can also wreak havoc with the health of your skin. The sun emits an invisible form of radiation called ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can damage the skin and cause sunburn, premature wrinkling and even skin cancer. You can reduce the risk of sun-induced skin damage by wearing sunscreen every time you go to the beach. Sunscreen blocks the sun's rays from damaging your skin.