EMTs are exposed to a variety of weather conditions throughout the year. With each season comes a different set of weather related hazards. Summertime hazards can range from sunburn to mosquito and even snakebites. To protect yourself from the summertime hazards you may experience, consider these suggestions …

•  Wear good quality boots to protect your feet from a variety of hazards including snakebites, slipping, and falling objects.

•  Use sunscreen on your exposed skin if your work frequently takes you outside. Sunscreens are rated by sun protection factor (SPF), which tells you how long you can stay in the sun before burning. For instance, if you are fair-skinned and normally begin burning after 15 minutes in the sun, SPF 15 sunscreen would allow you to stay in the sun 15 times longer (15 x 15) before burning. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends everyone to use a sunscreen with at least 15 SPF.

•  Use an insect repellent if you work in areas where insect bites are likely. Some camping and outdoor stores sell wristbands with insect-repelling properties. These may be worn on the ankle to provide protection from biting insects without the hassle of spray or lotion application.

Regardless of the environment in which you work, you should be mindful of and protect yourself from the environmental hazards you may encounter.