Your Guide to the Best Summer Safety Kit

Summer in the Antelope Valley means long sunny days, trips to the lake, family barbecues and plenty of time outdoors. It also means heat, sunburn, bug bites and the occasional scraped knee. A simple summer safety kit, packed ahead of time, lets you handle small problems quickly and enjoy the season.

Start with sun and heat protection

Our sun is strong, and the high elevation makes it stronger. Sunburn can happen in less time than you think, even on a breezy day. Pack a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and reapply it every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Add lip balm with SPF, a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Water is the most important item in any summer kit. Bring more than you think you will need. A small cooler with ice packs keeps drinks cold and can help cool someone down if they overheat.

The basics to pack

Keep a kit in the car and a smaller one in your bag. Here is a good starting list:

• Sunscreen, lip balm with SPF and a hat
• Plenty of water and a refillable bottle
• Adhesive bandages in several sizes
• Gauze, medical tape and antiseptic wipes
• A small tube of antibiotic ointment
• Insect repellent and an anti itch cream
• Aloe gel for minor sunburn
• A pain and fever reliever that is safe for you
• Tweezers for splinters and a cold pack
• Hand sanitizer and a list of emergency phone numbers

The best time to build a first aid kit is before you need it. Five minutes of packing can save a stressful trip to the store.

Do not forget your medicines

If you or a family member take daily medicines, bring enough for the whole trip plus a little extra in case of delays. Keep medicines in their original labeled containers. Heat can damage many medicines, so do not leave them in a hot car. Some, like insulin and certain inhalers, need extra care in high temperatures. Ask us how to store your specific medicines when traveling.

If someone in your family has a severe allergy, make sure their emergency medicine is in the kit and not expired. Check the dates on everything in your kit at the start of each summer.

Some medicines can make your skin more sensitive to the sun or make it harder for your body to handle heat. If you are not sure about yours, ask us. It is a quick question with an important answer.

Know the warning signs

Heat exhaustion can cause heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea and a headache. Move to a cool place, loosen clothing, sip water and rest. Heat stroke is an emergency. Signs include confusion, a very high body temperature, hot skin, and fainting. Call 911 right away.

For bug bites and minor scrapes, clean the area, apply ointment or anti itch cream, and cover if needed. Watch for signs of infection like spreading redness, warmth or swelling.

We carry many first aid and sun care products, and we are happy to help you choose what fits your family.

Call us at 661.941.4402 or stop by and we will help you build your summer kit.

This article is general education, not medical advice.