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.