Summer is a great time for you to think about simple ways to travel safely, protect your body from the sun and heat, and swim safely.

Travel Carefully

Going on a road trip this summer? Drive safely. Wear your safety belt. Use proper child restraints. Don’t drink and drive. Slow down. Watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists.

If traveling outside the country, be sure to get all proper vaccinations. And get a 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination if you haven’t gotten one yet. Sporadic cases of 2009 H1N1 continue to be detected in the United States and in other parts of the world, especially in the Caribbean, Central America, and tropical regions of South America, West Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. CDC still recommends young children, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, heart, or neurologic disease get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine because they are at higher risk of flu-related complications.

Take basic medical supplies with you to have in case you get sick:

• Thermometer
• Alcohol-based hand rubs
• Tissues
• Over-the-counter products:
• • Pain and fever reducers;
  • Stomach remedies;
  • Cough medicines;
  • Sports/rehydrating drinks with electrolytes.

Protect yourself from the sun!

• Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
• Wear clothing to protect exposed skin, a hat with a wide brim, and sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Stay in the shade when possible, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is the strongest.

Swim safely!

Choose areas with lifeguards, use personal floatation devices (life jackets), limit alcohol consumption, take advantage of local swimming lessons, and get CPR certified.

For more information about the 2009 H1N1 flu and for ideas on how to have a healthier and safe summer, contact the Santa Clara County Public Health Department at 408-885-3980 or www.sccphd.org or visit www.cdc.gov or www.flu.gov.