Summer #travel is already chaotic, CNN reports, with crowded flights, rising prices and sudden cancellations. But you can have an adventure close to home if you take a day off for a #staycation, says NerdWallet. You can be a tourist in your home town or nearest big city by searching guidebooks for interesting and “new to you” attractions, dine at a restaurant you’ve never tried before or finally go to that quirky museum. If you have kids, you might want to add games, a movie night or a scavenger hunt. Whatever you decide to do, the secret to a successful staycation is to enjoy the local surroundings while setting work and chores aside for a day or long weekend.
Tag: summer
COVID Is Still a Factor This Summer
Mask mandates are disappearing and COVID-19 transmission is less of a worry in warm weather, but you may still wish to observe precautions depending on your age and risk factors. Watch local transmission rates like you would the weather, CNBC suggests, to gauge the current threat in your area, and continue to wear an N95 mask if it makes you more secure even if no one else does so. “Grocery stores, theaters, hair salons and other public indoor venues are safer with a mask,” AARP says. “Researchers found that people who wore an N95 in public settings were 83 percent less likely to test positive for COVID-19 than those who wore no mask.” #SummerSafetyTips
Watch out for Ticks
Spending time in wooded areas this summer? Tick populatiions have exploded in recent years, and depending on the region, they can carry Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. They will attack any part of the body, but tend seek warm, damp places such as the underarms, scalp and underwear area, Banner Health says. Check your body for ticks after spending time outdoors; if you discover one, use a tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull it upward and out to ensure it doesn’t leave its mouth parts. Clean the area thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol. #SummerSafetyTips
Practice Summertime Water Safety
Swimming, boating and water sports are popular summertime activities, but be aware of the threat of unintentional drowning, which causes thousands of deaths every year. “We encourage families to build confidence in the water by learning to be safe, making good choices, learning to swim and how to handle emergencies,” the Red Cross says. Swim in a supervised, lifeguarded areas, it recommends, and designate a “water watcher” to keep an eye on people in and around the water. Learning advanced swimming techniques and CPR are good ideas at every age. #SummerSafetyTips
Protect Against Insect Bites
In many regions, outdoor activities such as hiking and camping are accompanied by the annoyance and discomfort of insect bites. Use insect repellents that contain DEET or Picaridin, Banner Health says, and read labels to ensure you apply them correctly. To make yourself less of a target for mosquitoes, biting flies, wasps and other insects, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in muted colors, and avoid heavily scented soaps or perfumes. Keep your shoes on when outdoors and consider draping beds in mosquito netting to keep those itchy bites to a minimum. #SummerSafetyTips