Stay safe when heading outdoors

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have rippled through many facets of life, including the way we seek recreation.

As states and counties began relaxing stay-at-home orders in the wake of the first wave of infections, more folks began to engage in outdoor activity. Since getting together indoors is against recommendations, long-quarantined communities went outside to get some fresh air and fight their boredom in an environment that offered plenty of space to practice physical distancing.

And with our minds preoccupied with the safety precautions we’ve been taking to keep the spread of COVID-19 managed in our communities, it might be easy to forget about the normal measures that keep us safe during summer outings.

With all of August and September ahead of us, some of the hottest days of the year are yet to come, and after months of keeping to temperature-controlled spaces, confronting the dead-summer sun can catch us off guard.

Overexposure can lead to heat-related illness and skin cancer, so wearing sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30 is essential, even when the day is overcast. Taking cover in the shade regularly will protect you as well, and drinking plenty of water will ward off dehydration and all of its unpleasant symptoms, like cramping, fatigue and disorientation.

To have fun while beating the heat, many will seek refuge in pools, lakes and local water holes, and taking recreation to the water comes with a set of safety concerns all its own.

Children should always be supervised by an adult while swimming. Always identify the grown-up responsible for watching the kids, acting as resident lifeguard and cautioning against running on wet concrete and diving in shallow water. Any child who is not a skilled swimmer should be wearing swimmies or a life jacket as well as being accompanied by an adult. And a good rule to follow is, if you look around and can’t figure out who’s watching the kids, you are.

Life jackets should be worn by adults too, whenever getting into a boat or operating any other watercraft, such as kayaks or jet skis. Taking a boater safety course and becoming certified and licensed are necessary prerequisites to driving any motorboat or watercraft greater than 25 horsepower in Pennsylvania.

And this part should be obvious, but it’s better to say it and get an eye-roll than let it go unsaid and fail to reach someone who needs to hear it: alcohol and water don’t mix.

Not in the ocean, not in the lake, not in the creek, not in the pool, not in the shower — and especially not when operating any kind of watercraft, much less a motorized one. Captaining your boat or jet ski is a privilege, much like driving a car, and the consequences of doing so under the influence are grave.

That goes for motorheads on land too. ATVs, dirt bikes and other recreational vehicles are involved in a significant number of traumatic injuries each year. Not only should drivers be sober; they should also be properly trained on how to safely operate their vessel and supervised until they reach that point of mastery.

And wear a helmet. It’ll save your life.

This summer comes with an extra layer of safety measures, of course, because we can’t forget about the novel coronavirus even as we broaden our vigilance to consider summer safety.

Even outdoor public places can become crowded. Local and state parks can go from hidden gem to hot spot quickly as more people get outside, and it’s important to continue recognizing masking, physical distancing and respiratory hygiene measures when among others.

Wear your mask. Stay six feet from others. Wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitizer of at least 60 percent alcohol. And please, for the safety of the vulnerable in your community, stay home if you’re sick.

Protect yourself and others against COVID-19, and protect yourself and others when you head outside to take your mind off of the pandemic.