Tips for Staying Safe This Summer

When summer rolls around, life changes. With no classes and a break from homework, you probably have a lot more free time on your hands. Whether you have a summer job, are heading off to camp or preparing for college in the fall, summer is a time to relax, take advantage of the warm weather and spend time with friends and family. However, summer can also present an array of dangers not seen during other times of the year. To have the best summer ever - and stay safe - be sure to follow a few of these SpendSmart tips:

Staying Safe in the Heat
When temperatures rise, you will need to be extra cautious when it comes to your health. It can be easy to become dehydrated in the heat, which means you should drink enough water throughout the day. Dehydration can be dangerous to your health and make you feel really sick. To put it bluntly, dehydration is a big bummer but can be easily avoided. However, you might not know what dehydration looks or feels like. Here are some of the most common symptoms:

• Dry or sticky mouth
• Thirst
• Cool and dry skin
• Headache
• Muscle cramps
• Irritability or confusion
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

If you notice that your head starts hurting while you’re out in the sun for too long, take a break and head somewhere cool for a while. Similarly, if you notice others experiencing symptoms of dehydration, you should bring them out of the sun and get them to drink water right away. Dehydration occurs because the body doesn’t have enough fluids, and severe dehydration can be considered a medical emergency. Anyone with dehydration symptoms should slowly sip on water, ice chunks or a sports drink with electrolytes to replenish fluids.

Fortunately, you can easily prevent dehydration by drinking water throughout the day - especially if you’re going to be spending a lot of time outdoors in the sun where high temperatures can easily drain your body. If you think you or someone else is experiencing severe symptoms of dehydration, it can be a good idea to call your health care provider, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Summer Driving Tips
Apart from the heat, summer can present challenges on the road. While winter roads can be slick and tough to maneuver through, summer has its own set of obstacles that can make driving tricky. According to Safety Insurance, summer is the most dangerous time for teen driving. Between kids and college students out of school and families heading on vacation, there are more people on the road during the summer, which means a higher risk of getting into an accident. Follow these tips for road safety:

• Monitor your speed: Even if you’re driving through your neighborhood that you know so well, be extra wary of how fast you drive. Neighborhood kids and families may be spending more time outdoors and could be present in the road. In addition to having more time to react to a kid running after a ball, driving slowly can also save you gas and money this summer.
• Do away with distractions: From your cell phone to the radio, too many distractions can leave you unfocused and more likely to get into an accident. To reduce your driving risks, turn your phone off, leave it in the backseat or don’t bring it in the car with you. Texting and driving is a serious risk that can have serious consequences. Make sure you are able to focus on the road every time you get behind the wheel.
• Check the weather: While you aren’t going to confront any sudden winter storms in July, you could end up face to face with a severe thunder storm. To avoid driving in dangerous conditions, it’s a good idea to check the weather before you leave home. If you do get caught in a sudden downpour, be sure to turn on your headlights and drive carefully.
• Take your time: Whatever you’re doing this summer, whether it’s a tutoring gig, band practice, summer school, babysitting or a part-time job, you should never find yourself rushing while driving. Frantic driving can result in accidents and errors on the road that can endanger yourself and others. In addition, there could be more traffic during the summer, especially on Fridays and Sundays when families are likely heading out for the weekend. Allow extra time to get to where you’re going so you can arrive on time and not feel rushed.
• Keep a roadside emergency kit: If you get into an accident this summer, don’t panic. Car crashes can and do happen, but you can be well-prepared for an accident by having a roadside kit already packed in your car. This kit should include jumper cables, a flashlight, washer fluid, paper towels and a first aid kit.

The information contained in this article does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice and its authors make no claims about its accuracy or completeness. The authors of this article do not hold themselves out as providing any legal, tax, financial or other advice and do not make any recommendations or endorsements as to any investment, financial plan or any other product or services. The materials contained in this article do not constitute advice and you should not rely on any material in this article to make, or refrain from making, any decision. As laws and regulations change frequently, we cannot guarantee that the information contained in this article is current or applicable to your specific circumstances. Laws and regulations may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Legal, tax and financial advice must always be tailored to your specific circumstances and nothing in this article should be viewed as a substitute for the advice of competent legal, tax or financial advisors.