From longer days to warmer weather, it’s no wonder that so many Canadians love to take vacations and enjoy being outside from June through to September. What’s more important than having fun, however, is staying safe from the sun and the heat. Here’s what to keep in mind when protecting yourself from harm or illness this summer.
Be Sun Safe
When protecting yourself in the summer, there is no greater risk than the sun, its heat, and its UV rays. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, there is an increased risk of developing melanoma and other skin conditions during the summer months. It’s important to stay sun safe throughout the summer by following these simple tips:
- Check the UV index for your area daily, if the index reaches 3 or higher, there is a risk to your skin and you must take extra care
- Wear sunscreen properly, applying sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF every 2 hours
- Wear large-brim sunhats
- Wear tightly-woven clothing that doesn’t allow a lot of sun through
- You and your children should always wear sunglasses
Health Impacts of Extreme Heat
When temperatures and humidity increase to a heatwave status in the summer, it’s wise to seek a cool space. When protecting yourself in the summer, it’s important to remember that extreme temperatures can be harmful to the body, and prolonged exposure to extreme heat can result in dehydration, dizziness, loss of consciousness, heat exhaustion or worse. The impact of high heat and humidity impacts the elderly, infants and young children, people with preexisting health conditions and careers that require working outdoors with lower access to shade or cooling.
Heat and Heart Attacks
Unfortunately, on the more extreme side of the effects of heat and high temperatures in the summer increase the risk of heart attack; especially among the elderly or people with preexisting conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or high cholesterol. A new study from the University of Michigan suggests that the chances of heat-related heart attacks rise about 5% for every 13 degrees Celcius (9 Fahrenheit) the temperature is raised. Protect yourself from heart attacks and heat stroke in extreme weather events, and do your best to stay indoors or in a cool space like the mall, a library, or a community centre when there is an extreme heat warning in your area.
Protect Yourself and Your Family
Sometimes–even with all of the precautions that we take to protect ourselves from the heat–heart attacks critical illnesses can still occur. In this case, it’s important to be protected financially with insurance to cover expenses when you are recovering. Critical Illness insurance provides you with the assurance that if you were to fall ill, you could focus on recovering with your family instead of any potential financial stress. With over 23 critical illnesses covered, our insurance goes beyond just heart issues to cover your expenses.
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Critical Illness Insurance is offered by Hudson’s Bay Financial Services and is underwritten by Chubb Life Insurance Company of Canada (“Chubb Life”). This information is for general information purposes only. Actual coverage is determined by the facts and circumstances of the particular loss and the terms and conditions of the policy as issued.
Chubb Life is part of the Chubb Group of companies. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. Chubb Limited, the parent company of Chubb, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index.