Stay safe and healthy this summer

For both locals and visitors, the summer is a time to get outside and enjoy the beach, surfing and fishing. Though the kids may be on a break from school, it’s important not to take a break from staying safe and healthy. Here are some tips for making this summer a great one.

Stay hydrated.
If you’re spending a lot of time outside in the sun, you’ll get dehydrated more quickly — and if you’re drinking alcohol, that’s even worse.

“Dehydration can be dangerous to all organs,” said Dr. Chris Snyder, chief quality officer/physician advisor at TidalHealth.

Generally, he recommends six to eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day; this should double for those who are exerting themselves, creating sweating.

Be aware of the risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, too.

Protect yourself from sunburn.
Just because sunburn is relatively common doesn’t mean it’s safe. Sunburn is a major risk factor for skin cancer, which one in five Americans will get by age 70, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. The Foundation also says people who have had five or more sunburns have a doubled risk of contracting melanoma — if it’s caught early, almost everyone survives at least five years.

You can protect yourself by wearing sunblock or sunscreen, hats and clothes that have UV protection, and staying in the shade.

If you notice something unusual on your skin, it’s better to get it looked at sooner rather than later. Set up an appointment at the Atlantic General Skin Cancer Clinic to see if the spot you’ve found is cancerous or precancerous.

Swim safely.
As the Ocean City Beach Patrol says, “Keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard’s in the stand.”
The ocean can be a dangerous place, so it’s safer to swim when lifeguards, who can recognize when someone needs help, are on duty.

“The current can be very dangerous,” Dr. Snyder said.

There were more than 100,000 rescues reported at Delmarva beaches in 2024, according to the United States Lifesaving Association.

At the largest area beach, Ocean City, the Ocean City Beach Patrol reported an attendance of more than 107 million last year — which included 89,215 rescues and 48,730 medical aids. Twenty unguarded drownings were reported in Ocean City, along with 13 guarded drownings.

Pay attention to warnings from lifeguards, too. The Ocean City Beach Patrol took more than 2.8 million preventive actions in 2024, according to the United States Lifesaving Association data.

Dr. Snyder said for people with neuromuscular diseases or without muscular capability, which can include children, currents are even more dangerous. It’s safer for them not to go in the water above their knees.

Near-drownings are scary, but don’t give CPR to someone who is coughing or talking, he said. If you need medical assistance for a serious issue, call 911.

Be careful on the sand.
Digging large holes in the sand can be unsafe, and some beaches have rules against it. Beaches also have rules about the types of tents and canopies you can bring. If you install a beach umbrella, make sure it’s secured.

Watch out for jellyfish.
Jellyfish stings are usually painful for about five to 10 minutes, Dr. Snyder said. Some cause a skin reaction. Ice, topical Benadryl, and even Windex can help, he said.

Be careful with fireworks.
It’s not legal to use aerial fireworks in Maryland or Delaware, but even if you’re using ground-based sparklers when it is legal (there are only a few days in which ground-based fireworks can be used in Delaware, including July 4), it’s important to be safe.

The National Fire Protection Association said fireworks-related injuries sent more than 10,000 people to emergency rooms across the country in 2022.