Essentials for a Summer Emergency Kit: Essential Items to Store for a Safe Summer
A Guide to Surviving Summer's Hiccups with Style
Embrace the sun, sand, and summer vibes. But remember, sunburns, bug bites, and spilled drinks can dampen the mood quickly. To keep the good times rolling, Dr. Havilah DeBell, urgent care specialist at UW Medicine, suggests preparing a summer survival kit filled with travel-friendly essentials.
The Essentials
Is a day at the beach on your agenda? These must-haves, according to DeBell, should be packed:
Sunscreen
Slather on that sunscreen, people! Opt for a formula containing zinc, and reapply after two hours if you plan to be in the sun longer. Steer clear of sprays, as they're not environmentally friendly and don't provide even coverage.
Feeling tempted to skip sunscreen? Think again. Washington has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the nation, ranking top among California, Florida, Hawaii, and Texas. We don't want that trophy, friends.
Baby Wipes
Consider baby wipes as the ultimate multitaskers. They clean a variety of items, such as sticky fingers, public restroom seats, and unexpected messes on children's clothing. Unlike some stain-removing products, baby wipes are free of harsh chemicals.
Portable Snacks
An empty stomach fuels grumpiness faster than you can say "hangry." To keep both you and your little ones satisfied and happy, stock a nutritious, non-refrigerated snack like fruits (oranges, bananas, and snap peas), snack bars, crackers, or nuts.
Reusable Water Bottle
Heatstroke is no joke. DeBell advises using reusable aluminum or glass water bottles since they're better for the environment and don't emit harmful chemicals like plastic ones. Fill it up as needed!
The Outdoor Basics
If your summer plans involve hiking, biking, or boating, be sure to add these safety extras to your kit:
First Aid Trifecta
Twisted ankles and sprained wrists are common summertime mishaps, especially for hikers. DeBell's go-to items for treating injuries like these are an elastic bandage wrap, gauze, and petroleum jelly, which can create a makeshift bandage.
Insect Repellent
Bug bites can drive even the calmest among us to scratch madly. Keep some insect repellent nearby to fend off these irritating critters. Standard sprays are safe and effective when applied properly, but check the label first to make sure it protects against both mosquitoes and ticks.
Medications and Creams
Summer's blend of heat and moisture can sometimes cause rashes. DeBell suggests including antifungal cream, anti-itch cream, and allergy medicine in your kit, which will help in those situations.
The Sanity Savers
When summer calls for a backyard barbecue and a cold brew, switch out the outdoor safety essentials for these personal care items:
Blister Pads or Bandage
Blisters, either from those trendy sandals or your favorite heels, can be a real pain. Blister pads or bandages can help alleviate that aggravation.
Makeup Remover
If the heat makes your makeup melt, you don't have to live with raccoon eyes. Makeup-removing sticks and pens are perfect for touch-ups on-the-go.
Feminine Hygiene Products
Better to be prepared than to find yourself in a tricky situation. Keep a tampon or maxi pad in your kit—just in case.
Hair Tie
Windy days? No problem. A quick hair tie can keep your locks out of your face and tame those sweaty bangs. Embrace the messy bun!
With these summer survival kit essentials at the ready, let's make the most of the season without any unexpected misadventures.
Incorporate health-and-wellness practices to maintain well-being during summer activities. Regular fitness-and-exercise, such as hiking or biking, can promote well-being, but remember to apply insect repellent for skin protection against bug bites. Maintaining proper nutrition is essential to prevent hunger-related mood swings, so include portable snacks in your survival kit. Enhance your hygiene routine with skin-care items like makeup remover to prevent melting makeup, and hair ties to manage hair in windy conditions.
