Entry bubble Summer Beach Vacation

By: Joanne | July 28, 2009 | Category: Travel

two pairs of bare feet standing in the sandThe kids are getting antsy. In a couple weeks we’ll be headed to the Jersey shore for our summer beach vacation. We’ve been doing the same thing for a few years now and we think a week at the beach is a wonderful family vacation. It’s nice to get away and spend a week biking, swimming, and golfing (mini golfing, that is) together.

Since we don’t live close to the coast, it’s a long, long ride to get to the beach. Any time you’re taking a long ride, it’s a good idea to check for road closures and construction. Anything that makes a long ride with little kids smoother is time well spent. We plan to map out a good route and then bring along plenty of snacks and dvd’s to keep the kids happy along the way.

There’s a lot to remember when heading to the beach – like water safety, and sunscreens, and hats, and towels. I start making a list weeks and weeks in advance. We also keep an eye on the beach temperatures just because we’re excited and we can’t wait to get there!

| View Comments [0] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: beach   jersey   joanne   new   ocean   sand   shore   sun   travel   vacation  

 

Entry bubble Beat the Heat

By: Colleen | July 23, 2008 | Category: Health

hot sunThe oppressively hot and humid summers typical of our nation's Capital have reared their ugly head this week.

It is HOT HOT HOT!

What was the first indication of this? Me looking as if I just stepped out of the shower after walking from the Metro to Gov Gab headquarters. And no, it's not cute.

While temps in the 90's are mostly just the cause of some bad hair days and being uncomfortable, for some people they pose a serious health threat.

Senior citizens, small children, and people with chronic illnesses need to be especially careful when the mercury soars. They are most at risk for heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and sun overexposure. Check out this list of signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses. To avoid these, do you best to stay cool and inside. Drink plenty of water to insure that you're properly hydrated. Wear loose clothing made out of materials like cotton that allow your skin to "breathe."

Friends and family of the elderly should try and visit them at least twice a day to check for signs of heat stroke and exhaustion. Take them to air conditioned locations if they have transportation problems. Make sure they have access to an electric fan. Sometimes local governments have programs to help out.

Enjoy the summer months, just be careful. It really makes me wonder how I survived those mid-August outdoor field hockey pre-season practices, but I suppose when you're 16 you can survive pretty much anything.

What are your tips to keep cool?

| View Comments [7] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: citizen   colleen   exhaustion   heat   humid   senior   stroke   sun   weather  

 

Entry bubble Use Sunscreen, Don't Get Burned

By: Joanne | July 08, 2008 | Category: Health

In the past, I didn’t think too much about sun exposure; as long as I didn’t suffer a really terrible burn, I felt like everything was fine. Then a few years ago my father died of skin cancer and the reality of sun exposure and skin damage began to sink in. It’s summertime and we’re all spending more time outdoors – at the pool, the beach, the garden or just playing in the yard, so now’s a good time to be thinking about our skin.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 60,000 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma of the skin this year. That’s a lot of people and if you’re like me and don’t want to become a statistic, you’ve got to protect yourself every day.

There are lots of ways to protect your skin from the damaging UVA and UVB rays of the sun. The most obvious way to protect your skin is to apply sunscreen. Be sure to use a sunscreen with an appropriate SPF (sun protection factor) and be sure to apply it early and often. Sunscreen blocks the sun’s harmful rays. Other things you can do are cover your skin with clothing, wear a hat, and stay in the shade. And don’t forget to protect your eyes and wear sunglasses that filter UV rays.

So this summer when you’re heading outside, sing this little song and do the sunscreen dance.

| View Comments [3] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: burn   cancer   joanne   skin   sun   sunscreen  

 

Entry bubble Summer Prep!

By: Colleen | April 16, 2008 | Category: Health

sunThe days are getting longer, temps higher, baseball is in full swing—Summer is just around the corner - I can feel it! Cue Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff!

Summer is my favorite time of year: Phillies games, weekends down the shore, dining alfresco, outdoor concerts, sunshine and swimming—what's not to love?

While having fun in the sun is a priority of mine, there are dangers that cannot be dismissed when preparing for summertime. That big ol' ball of gas in the sky can really do some damage.

Speaking from personal experience, when I was a kid I spent endless summer days at the pool, playing softball, or running amok around the neighborhood with my pals. At the ripe old age of 12, I had my first surgery to remove a questionable mole on my back. With a long Irish lineage, my mom was always adamant about her girls using sunscreen. Even so, I found myself with 10 stitches and a noticeable scar while only in the 6th grade.

In college, while lounging outside on a sunny afternoon, a friend pointed out a dark, oddly shaped mark on the back of my left arm. An area I couldn't see myself, this was the first time it was ever brought to my attention. A biopsy revealed the patch contained pre-cancerous cells and had to be removed immediately. This was before I even hit 21.

Now I see my dermatologist every 6 months for a check-up, and am "that girl" who constantly gives her friends a hard time about their trips to tanning salons and lack of SPF while trying for that perfect tan.

Of course, skin protection is not a summer-only issue. But, here are some tips to get you ready for the most outdoorsy time of the year.

  • Sunscreen has a shelf-life of only about 6 months. So, your leftovers from last year? Chuck them. Exposure to oxygen and light cause the chemicals to oxidize and are less effective in protecting you.
  • Be sure to slick on the 'screen everywhere. Two of the most common areas to find skin cancer are on the lips and tops of feet, which are often overlooked.
  • Wear sunglasses that are 100% UVA and UVB protective—prevents crow's feet down the road!
  • The bulk of skin damage comes from everyday exposure—running out to your car, walking to the mailbox, etc. Wear moisturizer with SPF every day for added protection.
  • Check your skin regularly. Make note of any changes in color or shape of moles and report them to your doctor. Make a yearly appointment for a mole check inspection of areas you can't see yourself.
  • Wear SPF of at least 15 or higher, and re-apply regularly (every 2 hours or so).

Any other tips to safely enjoy the sunshine?

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: cancer   colleen   skin   spf   summer   sun   sunscreen