Summer Health and Safety Guide
Everything you need for a safer, healthier summer. From our experts to your family.
Need Care Now?
Virtual Urgent Care
Virtual visits are available 7 days a week, including holidays. Best for:
- Bug bites and tick bites
- Rashes
- Mild dehydration
- Sunburn
- Minor summer illnesses
Urgent Care
In-person, walk-in care for non-emergencies. Best for:
- Moderate dehydration
- Sprains and strains
- Cuts and scrapes
- Worsening symptoms
- Minor injuries
Emergency Care
24/7 care for serious or life-threatening injuries. Best for:
- Heat stroke symptoms
- Severe dehydration
- Difficulty breathing
- Serious injuries
Stay Healthy While You Travel
From airports to hotel buffets, travel comes with unexpected germs. Learn simple ways to stay healthy, so your trip is memorable for all the right reasons.
Heat Safety & Hydration
High temperatures are only part of what makes summer heat a potential health hazard.
Humidity makes it harder for your body to cool itself, increasing your risk for dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke—even if you aren't exercising. Knowing the warning signs can help you act before a mild problem becomes a medical emergency.
How to Stay Safe on Hot, Humid Days
- Plan outdoor activities during the cooler morning or evening hours.
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
- Take frequent breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned space.
- Drink water throughout the day—even if you don't feel thirsty.
- Check on young children, older adults, and people with heart disease, lung disease, or other chronic medical conditions, who are at greater risk for heat-related illness.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If someone becomes confused, loses consciousness, or has a high body temperature after being in the heat, call 911 immediately.
Know the Signs of Heat Stroke
| Dehydration | Heat Exhaustion | Heat Stroke (Emergency) |
|---|---|---|
| Increased thirst | Heavy Sweating | Confusion |
| Dry Mouth | Dizziness | Loss of consciousness |
| Dark Yellow Urine | Nausea | Hot, red skin or stopped sweating |
| Headache | Muscle cramps | High body temperature |
| Fatigue | Weakness | Rapid heartbeat |
What Is the Difference Between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke?
Heat stroke is a more critical condition than heat exhaustion and requires immediate medical attention.
How Do I Know If My Child is Dehydrated?
If your child is extremely thirsty and tired, has a dry mouth, dark yellow urine, or a headache, they may be dehydrated and should drink water as soon as possible.
More on Heat & Hydration
Ticks, Mosquitos, & Summer Bug Bites
Finding a tick doesn't always mean you'll get Lyme disease—but knowing what happens next matters.
Ticks are common throughout Upstate New York during the warmer months. Most bites don't lead to Lyme disease, but recognizing early symptoms and removing ticks promptly can help lower your risk of complications.
Quick Tips to Prevent Tick Bites
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes when walking through wooded or grassy areas.
- Stay on cleared trails and avoid tall grass and brush when possible.
- Shower soon after spending time outdoors and perform a full-body tick check.
- Check children and pets for ticks before coming indoors.
What Are Early Lyme Disease Symptoms?
Early symptoms of Lyme disease include a bullseye rash, fever, aches, and swollen glands.
When Should I Worry About a Tick Bite?
Seek care after a tick bite if you experience fever, rash, severe headache, weakness, or confusion.
Keep Reading: Lyme Disease Prevention and Symptoms
When Should You Seek Care For a Bug Bite?
Most mosquito and insect bites can be treated at home, but you should seek medical care if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat
- A widespread rash or hives
- Signs of infection, such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus
- Fever, fatigue, or muscle aches after a tick bite
Sunburns & Skin Protection
Most sunburns heal at home—but not all of them.
Too much sun exposure can lead to dehydration, heat illness, premature skin aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of the sun's UV rays can reach your skin.
Protecting your skin starts with a few simple habits:
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher 15 to 30 minutes before going outside.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours, and after swimming or sweating.
- Seek shade whenever possible, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.
- Cover up with lightweight clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.
- Avoid indoor tanning, which increases your risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging.
How Do I Treat a Sunburn?
If you or your child gets a sunburn, move inside and apply cool compresses or take a cool bath. Drink extra fluids and use a fragrance-free moisturizer to help soothe the skin.
Keep Reading: 5 Skin-Smart Tips for Summer
Sun Safety for Kids
Even one blistering sunburn in childhood can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Learn simple, age-specific tips to help protect babies, children, and teens whenever they're outdoors.
Backyard Fun & Water Safety
Summer is meant to be enjoyed outside—not in urgent care.
Whether you're spending the day on the lakes, firing up the grill, hiking local trails, or enjoying an outdoor concert, a few simple precautions can help everyone safe.
Swimming & Water Safety
- Never swim alone.
- Keep children within arm's reach whenever they're near water.
- Wear a properly fitted life jacket while boating or participating in water sports.
- Avoid swimming after heavy rain, when bacteria levels may be higher.
- Stay out of the water if you have an open cut or wound.
- Shower after swimming to rinse away bacteria and other contaminants.
Keep Reading: Preventing Injury in the Finger Lakes
Backyard & Grilling Safety
- Keep grills away from decks, siding, and overhanging branches, and never leave them unattended.
- Wear closed-toe shoes and eye protection when mowing the lawn, and keep children and pets safely away from the area.
- Limit trampolines to one jumper at a time and always supervise children.
- Enjoy fireworks from a safe distance, and leave them to the professionals whenever possible.
- Wear appropriate safety gear when using power tools or ladders.
Keep Reading: 5 Backyard Injuries Doctors See Every Summer