There is no doubt that summer brings the most fun; a reprieve from daily studies for school-age children, a much-needed vacation break for the breadwinners; and weekends filled with camping, outings and family gatherings.  Being aware of the pitfalls of summer will help create fond memories to last a lifetime without the pain of oversight.

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, be prepared for the sun's strongest ultraviolet rays during the summer months.  There is a direct link between melanoma and severe sunburn.  Apply sunscreen (30 minutes before going outside) with a SPF of at least 15 is a, even on cloudy days.  Those sunscreens containing titanium dioxide are chemical free.  Remember to re-apply every two hours or sooner if you are swimming or sweating.  Wearing a hat is imperative, especially for older people.  And, if you can see your hand through your clothing, the weave is not tight enough to help prevent the harmful effects of UV rays.  Natural fibers are best.  Even your eyes can be sun damaged, so don't forget 100% UVA and UVB protection eyewear.  Small babies, especially newborns, should never be exposed to sunlight in the summer months.  The strongest sun is between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Plan your outdoor activities so that you and your family are not in the sun for that entire period of time.  If you are fair-skinned and/or red- or blond-haired, you are at increased risk of sunburn.     

There are a wide array of hydrosols and aromatherapy spritzers to help ease the skin effects of too much sun (listed in the column on the left).  Always consult your health care provider in the case of a severe sunburn.  Every summer first aid kit should include fresh aloe vera.  You can carry a leaf in a Ziploc bag, slicing off small amounts and removing the sticky gel for skin application.  Lavender and tea tree oil, diluted in spritzer or lotion, can be a soothing help for sunburn. 

Another risk in hot weather is dehydration.  Too much sun, heat or muggy weather can be dangerous for your family and pets.  Make sure that everyone is drinking plenty of good, fresh water to re-hydrate.  Stay away from soda and fruit juices; they can increase instead of decrease thirst.  Sweating will cause loss of electrolytes, so it is sometimes a good idea to add these to water for replenishment.  To avoid heat stroke, do not expose yourself or your family to excessive amounts of heat.  Warning signs are dizziness, fatigue, faintness and headaches, with skin feeling dry and hot and there is no sweating and perhaps a high temperature.  If any of these symptoms are present, cool down in a cold-water bath and call your health care provider or go to a hospital or medical facility.

Encounters with unfriendly plants are another hazard of summer.  Purchase a reference book or field guide and teach your children what poison ivy, sumac and poison oak look like and how to avoid them.  Poison ivy produces an itchy, blister-like rash.  If skin contact is made, wash the area immediately.  The sticky oil from this plant can also cling to shoes, clothing, toys and/or tools, so make sure that everything that comes in contact is washed with soapy water.  A natural remedy to help dry up a rash is bentonite clay.  The spritzers and hydrosols listed are also helpful for easing discomfort.  It is smart to have an over-the-counter antihistamine on hand if discomfort becomes unbearable.

Summertime is filled with insects that can annoy and whose bites can cause pain, itching and discomfort.  Some mosquitoes and ticks also carry diseases, like West Nile Virus and Rocky Mountain Fever.  Although West Nile causes only mild reactions in most people who have it, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients and people who are HIV-positive, are at risk of developing life-threatening symptoms.  People are being urged to survey their properties and remove, overturn or cover all containers that contain standing water, such as cans, bottles, tires, trash cans, birdbaths and potted plant holders.  Wear long sleeves and long pants in the evenings to help prevent mosquito bites.  Thoroughly search hair and body for ticks after spending time in the woods.  Catnip essential oil is proving to be the most effective mosquito repellent on the market today.

Insects can be fascinating and summer is a time to learn more about them.  Challenge your amateur entomologists with some solid information about these amazing critters.  As an example, did you know that if you gathered all the bugs in the world in one place and weighed them that they would weigh more than all the world's people and animals put together?!!  Did you know that a spider eats its own weight in food each day?  Insects have 6 legs and spiders have 8; Insects have 3 body parts and spiders have 2; insects have antennae and spiders do not.  Search the web for entomology and find fascinating games to educate about insects this summer.

A first aid kit is essential for summer safety and should be carried at all times.  Some items that should be included are: flashlight, scissors, tweezers, thermometer, safety pins, eyewash cup, elastic bandage, sterile gauze pads, waterproof tape, butterfly bandages, anti-microbial essential oils and ointments, sunscreen, lip balm, aloe leaf, waterproof matches, snakebite and sting kits, your doctor's phone number and whatever else you keep handy in your medicine cabinet.  Make sure that you are aware of allergies to plants and insects and take a First Aid and/or CPR class to better handle family emergencies.  Be sure to include essential oils like lavender, tea tree, peppermint and chamomile for minor emergencies.

Summer Rudebeckia in Full Bloom