Football Weekend Safety

A full day of fun, sun and football can be a dangerous combination. Although a sunburn may be painful and put a damper on your fun, it can also cause premature wrinkling and cancer down the road. The risk for sunburn is increased for persons with fair skin, blue eyes, red or blond hair and for persons taking some medicines.

Several chemical differences in a woman ’ s body cause her to absorb alcohol much more rapidly and completely than a man, especially during her premenstrual phase. The somewhat dehydrated state that follows a full day in the sun, especially if you get burned, further delays a woman ’ s ability to metabolize alcohol.

HAVE FUN, BUT STAY IN CONTROL:

• Remember, the legal age for partaking of alcohol in the United States is 21 years of age . Set a limit on how much you will drink before you go out and stick to it.
• Sip your drinks slowly. Drinking quickly is more likely to get you drunk.
• Designate a sober, non-alcohol drinking driver – DON ’ T DRIVE DRUNK!
• Eat a substantial meal or dairy products before or while you are drinking.
• Avoid salty foods that make you thirsty.
• Drink diluted alcoholic beverages - beer and wine - rather than straight shots.
• Avoid carbonated mixers or sparkling wines, they speed alcohol into your blood.
• Avoid “ spiked ” punch or drinks containing unknown amounts or types of alcohol.
• NEVER leave a drink unattended.
• Remember there is no way to sober up quickly; vomiting, cold showers, coffee and exercise will not help.
• Take it easy on alcohol if you are with someone you don ’ t know well. It is OK to refuse a drink!

TO MINIMIZE SUNBURN:

• Avoid exposure to midday sun, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• If midday exposure cannot be avoided, wear protective clothing, such as a hat, visor, long sleeve shirt or pants when out in the sun for long periods. Wear muted colors, such as tan. Bright colors and white reflects the sun into your face. Wear sunglasses that absorb at least 90% of both UVA and UVB rays
• Use sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 to 30 or more. The lighter your skin, the higher the SPF number should be. Use a “ broad spectrum ” sunscreen which blocks UVA and UVB rays. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to going out in the sun. Reapply sunscreen every 60 - 90 minutes, even if the sunscreen is water-resistant.
• Along with sunscreen, use moisturizers, make-up, lip balm, etc., which contain sunscreen.
• Be aware of reflective surfaces. Sand, snow, concrete and water reflect more sunrays into your skin.
• Some medicines make your eyes and skin more sensitive to the sun. Some examples: Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Retin A, Birth Control Pills and diuretics.
• If you do get burned, drink plenty of water and take an analgesic.

Heat exhaustion occurs when your body cannot sweat enough to cool you off. It generally happens when you are working, exercising or spending long periods of time in the sun. Symptoms include: fatigue, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and cool, clammy, pale, red or flushed skin. Heat exhaustion can be prevented by avoiding strenuous physical activity during the hottest part of the day, wearing light-colored, loose fitting clothing to reflect sun and drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. Drink more if you have been spending long periods in the hot sun. If you experience symptoms of heat exhaustion, get out of the sun to a cool spot and drink lots of cool water, a little at a time. Lie down if necessary and stay out of the sun.

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