Summer-like temperatures are coming to the Northland, which means it’s important to remember how to stay safe in the sun.

Doctor Dylan Wyatt, who practices emergency medicine at Aspirus St. Lukes, says the key is to plan ahead.

“When we’re thinking of avoiding heat injury by trying to be proactive rather than reactive to when it occurs, hydration is incredibly important, not just with fluids, not just water, but with balanced electrolyte solutions.”

Exposure time is important to manage too, Dr. Dylan says the less time spent out in the sun, the better. If you are out, be sure to cover up.

“Sunscreen is also important, preventing not just sunburns, UV exposure, cancer risk in the future, but also just reduces the intensity of the sun on you. And clothing choices for good circulation and sun blocking can reduce the functional temperature that you’re exposed to.”

With spring and summer being primetime for backyard cookouts and time in the sun, Dr. Dylan says that drinking in the sun can exacerbate dehydration.

“It not only impairs our ability to detect when we are feeling those effects of the heat, because of the intoxicating effect of the alcohol itself, it dilates blood vessels so we are less able to regulate heat exchange as we normally would.” Dr. Dylan added that he recommends if you do drink in the sun, at least two glasses of water should be had in addition to each alcoholic drink.

Of course, all of this is about more than just avoiding sunburn and thirst – there are real dangers to too much sun exposure.

“We have dehydration where you’re behind on your fluids, and then you move to heat exhaustion. That’s the sign that you need to get into a cooler area. You need to get to the shade and replenish your fluids. But if you are with someone who starts to act differently, they start to be confused, their cognitive process is altered, that is incredibly dangerous. That’s heat stroke.”

“So if you’re with someone and they start to act funny, immediately get them somewhere cool, have them lie down, get their feet up, get some fluids into them. And at that point, if they’re acting funny, I would call 911. I would get someone there to help, because that is a process that needs to be reversed quickly.” He added.