By Emily Miller
Throughout the course of the summer, people will engage in a variety of activities ranging from beach trips to hiking to gardening that will get them out of the house and into the nice summer weather.
Like with any other change of season, people may be exposed to additional environmental elements that may damper their summer but proper preparedness can reduce this risk.
In addition to precautionary measures, individuals should review their health and life insurance policies to make sure everything is up to date.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also offers some helpful tips that are good for your health, your wallet and the environment:
Air Quality
People with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk from the presence of pollutants in the air and should closely monitor the air quality in their area. AirNow’s Air Quality Index (AQI) translates data into color categories so people can better understand what actions to take to protect their health.
The AQI is a database that informs consumers how clean or populated their outdoor air is, along with associated health effects that may be of concern. Individuals can access the database on the company’s website, through social media, by email alerts and on the free AirNow iPhone and Android app.
Beach Safety
If you are planning a trip to the beach this summer, there are several things you can do to keep yourself and your family safe at the beach. Swim safely, protect yourself from the sun with broad-spectrum sunscreen, stay hydrated by drinking water, watch for trash and other signs of pollution, and report dangers you see to lifeguards or other beach workers.
For more information regarding beach safety, visit the EPA’s water safety site.
Bed Bugs
Traveling is fun; bed bugs are not. When you are away from home, inspect the mattress and headboard before using them, leave your luggage on a luggage rack and immediately wash your luggage upon returning home. The EPA provides business-card-sized cards to use when you travel and around the home or office.
You can find additional information on avoiding bed bugs here.
Energy Star
On average, families spend about 20 percent of their home utility bill on cooling, which can be lowered if you give your air conditioner a break while the house is vacant or during the evening. Properly using a programmable thermostat can save you $180 annually, according to the EPA.
Fuel Economy
Road trips are common during the summer months. To save money and gas, follow these tips: roll the windows down when driving at lower speeds; use the AC at highways speeds, park in the shade or use a sunshade, and learn about the AC system in your car’s owner’s manual.
Insects
Unfortunately, the summer months don’t just supply longer, warmer weather but they also supply an increased amount of insects and bugs. While some insect bites are benign, biting insects can carry dangerous diseases.
Using the right insect repellent and taking prevention actions can repel ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting insects. Guidelines for areas to avoid bites and appropriate clothing to weather can be found here.
Sun Safety
The EPA provides a free app – available on Mobile Web, iPhone, Blackberry and Android – that allows you to check in real-time the Ultraviolet (UV) Index, which is aimed to help you plan outdoor activities while preventing overexposure to the sun.
In addition to knowing the UV index, apply a palm-full of sunscreen with SPF or higher 15 minutes before heading outdoors, reapply every two hours and wear protective clothing while outside.
