Adventure Safely This Summer

Did you know that July is National Parks and Recreation Month? With more than 40 state parks, 10 national park sites, and four national forests in North Carolina, there's no shortage of opportunities to celebrate the season by hiking, biking, swimming, or camping. Be sure to follow the tips below to maximize your fun by staying safe and healthy on all your summer adventures

Apply (and reapply) sunscreen.  According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun, there's no such thing as waterproof sunscreen. As a result, sunscreen should be reapplied at least every two hours and more often when you're swimming or sweating. Reminder: sunscreen SPF 15 and above is Health Care FSA eligible.

Stay hydrated. The Mayo Clinic website  states that, on average, men need about 15.5 cups of fluids each day, and women need about 11.5 cups daily. Hot, humid weather and exercise can make you sweat and increase the amount of fluids you need.

Function over fashion. Wearing the appropriate attire can be the difference between a fun day in the sun and an accident leading to injury. Consider the best clothes for whatever activities are in store. For example, wear shoes with ankle support when hiking, don't forget your helmet when biking, and be sure to wear a life vest when paddling. If an accident does occur, the NCFlex Accident Plan may be able to help.

Be prepared to avoid summer pests. Mosquitos and ticks are two of summer's most common pests, so wearing repellent to keep both at bay can be crucial. The NCFlex Accident Plan may also help in the event of a snake or bug bite, and Lyme disease is one of the 29 additional diseases covered by the NCFlex Cancer Plan.

There is safety in numbers. The outdoors is inherently unpredictable, so no matter how much you've prepared, always bring a partner on all your outdoor adventures and share your plans and location with a responsible person who's staying home.

Bonus! July is also National Picnic Month.

Make your summer adventure even more fun by bringing along a nutritious meal to enjoy using EatingWell's recipe for an easy summer picnic.