Skip main navigation

Military Health System

Clear Your Cache

Health.mil has undergone a recent update. For the best user experience we recommend clearing your browser cache.

Safety tips for the 101 critical days of summer

Image of Food on a grill, a sparkler, and a child in a swimming pool. The Army Public Health Center encourages everyone to follow a few critical summer safety tips around their home as they soak up the sun, enjoy the outdoors, cool off in the pool, and master their grilling techniques (Photo by: U.S. Army Public Health Center photo illustration by Graham Snodgrass).

As the restrictions of COVID-19 begin to relax, there will be an increase in families and friends out enjoying the sunshine and warm weather, swimming, boating, playing, and traveling.

"Please be aware of the risks associated with your summer activities and take steps to mitigate that risk," said Catherine Hall, chief of Occupational Safety for the Defense Health Agency. "Always have a well-thought-out plan; that old adage of 'fail to plan, plan to fail' has merit."

Harris added, "Success does not always happen by accident, but accidents do happen due to that failure to have a plan."

The 101 Critical Days of Summer begin on Memorial Day weekend and end after Labor Day. With all those fun summer activities, the following safety tips are offered to make your vacation journey a safe and happy one.

Safety outdoors

  • Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.
  • Always carry water with you and drink frequently.
  • If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated.
  • Always wear sunscreen outside and frequently reapply.
  • Hats and sunglasses are a good idea each time you go outside.
  • Know your own limits when it comes to activity.
  • Watch for signs of heat strain and heat stroke. These include:
    1. Painful muscle spasms usually in the legs or abdomen
    2. No sweating
    3. Goosebumps
    4. Headache
    5. Clamminess, pale skin
    6. Dizziness or disorientation
  • Try to stay out of the sun when it is at its height, especially between the hours of noon and 3 p.m.
  • If bugs are a problem, use a bug spray made with DEET or a naturally derived product. Mosquitoes can cause Zika and West Nile infection and disease
  • If ticks are a problem, wear long pants and long sleeves and use bug spray
  • Check for ticks when you remove your clothes. Ticks can cause a number of diseases, and deer ticks, which cause Lyme disease, are tiny.
  • If you find a circular red spot like a bullseye on your skin after being outdoors, you may have been exposed to deer ticks. Check with your health care provider as soon as possible.

Over the span of the summer, the Military Health System will run a series of listicles covering a variety of safety areas focused on summer activities, including sun, swimming, boating, fireworks, camping, bicycling, driving, and food.

You also may be interested in...

Article
Jun 25, 2024

Team Army Ultimate Champion: “I Had Let Go of the Crutches in Life, and the Word Can’t.”

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Justin Mathers competing in wheelchair rugby

“I didn’t think there was too much wrong. I low-crawled away from my motorcycle because I saw the bike smoking, and then I realized I couldn’t feel my legs.” Retired Army Sgt. Justin Mathers recalls his road to this year's Department of Defense Warrior Games, which started at the Fort Liberty Soldier Recovery Unit after a bad motorcycle accident. “I ...

Article
May 31, 2024

Brooke Army Medical Center Team Wins Best Squad, Best Leader, Best Soldier at Medical Readiness Command – West

Military personnel pose for picture

Medical Readiness Command, West held its Best Leader, Best Squad competition May 13-17. This year, MRC - W teamed up with the Medical Center of Excellence to hold the first consolidated competition where the participants could also earn their Expert Field Medical Badge and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

Skip subpage navigation
Refine your search
Last Updated: February 25, 2025
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on YouTube Subscribe to updates from the MHS