The outdoors are indeed great, but they are not all fun and games. In order to avoid injuries and other problems while outside, try following the helpful guidelines below.
Steer Clear of Insects: One issue with going outdoors is running into a seemingly endless number of rather unpleasant bugs, such as mosquitoes and ticks. You can mitigate your risk of encountering these insects by avoiding places where they congregate, such as pools of still water and tables with uncovered foods. And while blooming flowers are nice to look at, they can also serve as nesting pads for insects.
Stay Hydrated: Warm temperatures certainly feel nice after the bitter cold of winter weather and the damp spring months. At a certain point, however, the heat of summer will began to take its toll on the body. To avoid dehydration and other heat-related woes, try to consume water every 15 to 20 minutes.
Don’t Play Dangerously: There are countless playgrounds across the country designed for children to enjoy. Unfortunately, some of them are in rather bad shape, to the point that they may pose an injury risk to kids. Watch out for wooden/ plastic structures with rot, as well as scorching hot slides and other surfaces.
Know Your Plants: Another risk of walking outdoors is exposure to poisonous plants, like the infamous poison oak and the even-more-infamous poison ivy. These aren’t the only things that grow in the ground that can prove harmful; plants such as nightshade can likewise have an adverse impact on your health.
Despite their notoriety, many hikers are unaware as to what these plants look like. In order to avoid run-ins with any poisonous green leaves, buy a book detailing what these plants look like.
Be Prepared: Even the best-laid plans sometimes go off track. That’s why it’s a very good idea to bring along a first aid kit whenever you go off hiking into a wooded environment. A well-stocked kit should include antibiotic ointment, adhesive bandages, anti-itch gels and an elastic bandage. Of course, bottles of water and electrolyte replacement drinks would also be useful items to bring along.
