Community First Health Plans Gives Heat, Sun and Water Warnings

June 26, 2012 - PRLog -- San Antonio, Texas – Summer means fun in the sun, swimming and playing outside for many families, but there are some dangers that go along with some summer activities. Community First Health Plans has important information for you and your family about heat safety, sun safety and water safety.
http://www.cfhp.com/

A heat wave is three or more consecutive days of 90 degrees or higher, and it only takes a couple of hours of exposure to hot temperatures to increase the potential for health issues. That’s why heat safety is such an important issue in south Texas.
http://nowcastsa.com/blogs/national-heat-awareness-day

“Young children, the elderly and people with chronic conditions like diabetes, arthritis, asthma or cancer are more at risk in the heat and next extra precautions to stay safe in the heat,” explains Martha Gonzales, Senior Health Educator for Community First Health Plans. “Have them stay indoors in a cool place, if possible, and give them plenty of water to stay hydrated.”

In addition to keeping your family safe in the heat, make sure that your pets have plenty of drinking water and shade or bring them indoors. Never leave pets or children alone in a vehicle. Even if it is only 80 degrees outside, the interior of a car can reach 120 degrees quickly.

Another concern with summer heat is sun safety and skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer, but also the most preventable.
http://www.skincancer.org/

“Try to avoid being outside during the sun’s peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.,” says Gonzales. “If you do have to spend time outside, be sure to apply sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher, wear dark clothing that protects your arms and legs and wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your head and face.”

Swimming is a great way to cool off during the summer heat, but it can also have its own set of dangers. Before jumping in, make sure everyone knows how to swim or enroll in swimming lessons first to learn water safety. Keep an eye on everyone in the water and make sure everyone is wearing a life jacket if out on a boat.
http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-guide/water-...

“Never leave children alone near the water,” warns Gonzales. “Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under four according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s imperative to learn water safety.”

Because Community First Health Plans is local, they know the unique health issues of San Antonians to better serve their members. They are the only locally owned and managed non-profit health plan in the San Antonio area.

ABOUT COMMUNITY FIRST HEALTH PLANS
•   CFHP was established in 1995 by the University Health System, specifically to provide health care coverage to the citizens of Bexar and the surrounding counties
•   As the only locally owned and managed, non-profit health plan in the area, CFHP’s commitment to our members is to provide great health care benefits backed by outstanding service, delivered by people who live right here in South Texas.
•   http://www.cfhp.com/