Summer Survival Guide!

Rip currents kill about 100 people each year in the U.S. Rip currents are powerful ocean currents that rush away from shore. They can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea. Before swimming, check the National Weather Service surf zone forecast and look for warning flags on the beach (green means conditions are safe). The diagram (see How a Rip Current Forms) shows you what to do if you get caught in a rip current.

Rip currents kill about 100 people each year in the U.S. Rip currents are powerful ocean currents that rush away from shore. They can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea. Before you swim, check the National Weather Service surf zone forecast. Look for warning flags on the beach (green means conditions are safe). The diagram (see How a Rip Current Forms) shows you what to do if you get caught in a rip current.

Water can carry bacteria and viruses that make people sick. The most common health issues resulting from swimming are skin rashes and gastrointestinal problems, like diarrhea or vomiting. Rivers, lakes, oceans, and water parks are all potential sources of infections.

The safest place to swim is a municipal pool with a noticeable chlorine smell, says Dennis Maki, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Wisconsin. And no matter where you’re swimming, try not to swallow the water.

Water can carry bacteria and viruses that make people sick. Swimming can result in health issues. The most common are skin rashes and gastrointestinal problems, like diarrhea or vomiting. Rivers, lakes, oceans, and water parks can all transmit infections.

Find a pool run by your city or town. The water should have a noticeable chlorine smell. That’s the safest place to swim, says Dennis Maki. He’s an infectious disease doctor at the University of Wisconsin. Wherever you swim, try not to swallow the water.

Shark attacks make headlines, but the odds of being involved in one are extremely low—about 1 in 11.5 million.

Shark attacks make headlines, but the odds of being involved in one are extremely low: about 1 in 11.5 million.

• Swim in a group. Lone swimmers are more likely to be attacked.
• Stay near shore so help can reach you if you need it.
• To avoid being mistaken for shark food, don’t swim while bleeding, avoid places where people are fishing or seabirds are feeding, and don’t wear jewelry or sparkly bathing suits.
• If you are attacked: Hit the shark’s nose as hard as you can, or claw at its eyes or gills.

• Swim in a group. Lone swimmers are most at risk.
• Stay near shore. That way, help is closer if you need it.
• Don’t be mistaken for shark food: Don’t swim when bleeding. Stay away from places where people are fishing or seabirds are feeding. Don’t wear jewelry or sparkly bathing suits.
• If you’re attacked: Hit the shark’s nose hard. Or claw at its eyes or gills.

Hot weather can cause heatstroke, a potentially deadly condition. Keep safe by staying hydrated and taking it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you have to be outside in the heat, your body has ways of helping you cool down.

Hot weather can cause heatstroke, a condition that can be deadly. Keep safe by drinking plenty of liquids. Take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. If you have to be outside in the heat, your body has ways to help you cool down.

The brain directs blood from your body’s core to small capillary vessels in the skin so heat can escape into the air.

The brain directs blood from your body’s core to small capillary vessels in the skin. Heat can then escape into the air.

Three million sweat glands pump out perspiration, or sweat, which helps cool you as it evaporates. In hot weather, sweat production ramps up 10 to 20 percent.

Three million sweat glands pump out perspiration, or sweat. It helps cool you as it evaporates. In hot weather, your body makes 10 to 20 percent more sweat.

When hot, your body increases its blood volume by 4 percent so your heart doesn’t have to work so hard to get oxygen to tissues.

When your body is hot, blood volume increases by 4 percent. That way your heart doesn’t have to work so hard to get oxygen to tissues.

The body lowers its resting temperature slightly in the summer to avoid overheating when you generate extra heat through exercise.

The body lowers its resting temperature in the summer. You create extra heat when you exercise. A lower starting temperature helps avoid overheating.

Mosquitoes are more than just annoying—they can transmit dangerous diseases through their bites. Recently, people have become fearful of one mosquito-borne illness in particular: the Zika virus. Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms or only mild ones, such as fever, rash, or joint pain. But Zika infections during pregnancy can cause babies to be born with severe birth defects.

So far, Zika has been reported spreading in most Central and South American countries, as well as in Florida and Texas. No vaccine exists yet for the virus. The best prevention for Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, using insect repellent, and using screens to keep mosquitoes out of homes.

Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying. They can also spread dangerous diseases through their bites. Lately, one illness carried by mosquitoes has caused fear. It’s the Zika virus. Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms or just mild ones. These include fever, rash, or joint pain. But Zika infections during pregnancy are dangerous. They can cause babies to be born with severe birth defects.

So far, Zika has been found spreading in most Central and South American countries, plus Florida and Texas. No vaccine exists yet. The best prevention for Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and use insect repellent. Use screens to keep mosquitoes out of homes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that about 300,000 cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed in the U.S. every year. This infection, transmitted by ticks, can cause a skin rash, fever, headache, and achy joints. Left untreated, Lyme disease can even damage a person’s nervous system. Hawaii is the only U.S. state that has not had a case of Lyme disease within the past 10 years. The disease is most common in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest.

Many cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed in the U.S. every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 300,000. This infection is spread by ticks. It can cause a rash, fever, headache, and achy joints. Lyme disease can damage a person’s nervous system if it’s not treated. Hawaii is the only U.S. state that hasn’t had a case of Lyme disease in the past 10 years. The disease is most common in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest.

• Wear insect repellent.
• Check your body for ticks after spending time outside.
• If you find a tick, use tweezers to grab it as close to the skin as possible.
• Pull steadily. Don’t twist or yank. If mouthparts break off, remove them with tweezers.
• Clean the bite with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
• If the tick is alive, flush it down the toilet.
• See a doctor if you are concerned or if you develop a rash, fever, or aches over the next several weeks.

• Wear insect repellent.
• Check your body for ticks after spending time outside.
• If you find a tick, use tweezers to grab it as close to the skin as possible.
• Pull evenly. Don’t twist or yank. If mouthparts break off, remove them with tweezers.
• Clean the bite with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
• If the tick is alive, flush it down the toilet.
• Watch for symptoms over the next several weeks. See a doctor if you’re worried or if you develop a rash, fever, or aches.