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Gulf Shores Beach, Summer In Alabama — You can stay safe *and* have fun this summer, Alabama! (Callie Morrison / The Bama Buzz)

Ah, summertime in Alabama…Clanton peaches, farmers’ markets, local pool days…but also blazing sun and sticky weather. I wish the beautiful summer season didn’t also come with some weather pains, but we can still have fun and stay safe through it!

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL) has a few sun safety tips for us…and we promise it’s more than wearing sunscreen and staying hydrated.

1. Plan your day to avoid the heat

On especially hot days, all you want to do is stay inside—I get it. But don’t let this stop you from getting out and living your life.

Schedule appointments, workouts and outings for early morning, or make sure you’re in a cool, shady place when the sun’s rays are at their hottest between 10AM and 2PM.

Healthier People Are Happier People - Bluecross Blueshield Of Alabama

2. Stay safe on Alabama beaches

Guys Playing On Gulf Shores Beach — Wear sunscreen and pay attention to warning flags on Alabama beaches. (Callie Morrison / The Bama Buzz)

When you’re out on Alabama beaches this summer, you can swim confidently when you understand beach safety rules. Alabama uses a color-coded warning flag system to give beachgoers an idea of water conditions before hitting the sand.

Here’s what each flag means:

Yellow Flags: Moderate surf + currents—exercise normal caution
Purple Flags: Dangerous marine life in water, like jellyfish, Man O’ Wars, sharks, etc.
Red Flags: High surf + strong currents—only strong swimmers should be in the water
Double Red Flags: Gulf is closed—no swimmers allowed in water

3. Know the signs of a heat-related illness

Man In White Crew Neck T-Shirt Drinking From Black Sports Bottle — Stay hydrated as summer temps rise in Alabama. (Photo by Nigel Msipa on Unsplash)

No matter a person’s age, it’s important to know what to look for in case of a heat-related illness.

Here’s what to keep an eye out for:

Heat exhaustion:
- Heavy sweating
- Clammy, pale + cold skin
- Fast + weak pulse
- Nausea/vomiting
- Muscle cramping
- Tiredness and/or weakness
- Headache, dizziness, passing out
Heat stroke:
- Skin that is hot, red, dry or damp
- Fast pulse
- Nausea, dizziness, headache
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness

If you think someone is experiencing heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place, lower their body temperature and have them sip water.

TIP: In the case of a heat stroke, call 911 immediately. Move the person to a cool place and try to bring their temperature down, but don’t let them drink anything.

4. “Eat for the season”

Fruit At Sweet Creek Farmers Market In Montgomery — Stock up on your favorite fruits and veggies this summer. (Callie Morrison / The Bama Buzz)

During hot summer days when you’re either at the pool all day (if you’re lucky) or outside at a picnic, I’m sure the last thing you want to be eating is something warm.

BCBSAL advises to stock up on items you can “eat without heat.” Think salads, fresh fruits, vegetables or dips.

Think about filling your diet with naturally-hydrating fruits and veggies like watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers and apples.

5. Escape the heat + have fun indoors

Montgomery Museum Of Art — Find a local museum or other things to explore to beat the heat. (Jacob Blankenship / The Bama Buzz)

Don’t let the summer sun stop you from being active. Try a new workout, hit a local swimming pool, stroll through a local museum or do something to keep moving.