7 summer health risks

At last the warm weather is here, but don't let your fun in the sun put you at risk. Here are some top summer health dangers and how you can avoid them.

Skin cancer. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, it is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in this country. But if caught early, skin cancer is usually treated easily. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun (or from artificial UV light such as tanning beds) increases the risk for developing skin cancer. Other risk factors include:

-- Light skin, eyes or hair

-- Skin that burns or freckles easily

-- Unusual moles that are irregular in shape or larger or darker than normal moles

-- A family history of melanoma

Protect yourself by having regular skin screenings and wearing the appropriate sunscreen. For extra protection, wear a sunhat if you plan to be outdoors for an extended period of time, and keep in mind the sun's peak hours are between 10:00 am and 4:00pm.

While some experts advocate for short periods of unprotected sunlight to help with Vitamin D deficiency, the key here is moderation: most experts agree you should not be unprotected for more than 10 or 15 minutes. (For more see, Get your Vitamin D.) Not sure which sunscreen is best for you? For some great tips, click here.

Eye damage. Sunlight can damage not only skin, but also your eyes. Long-term exposure to UV rays can contribute to eye disease such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Bright light can damage your retina and even cause your eyes to become sunburned, a temporary but often painful condition known as photokeratitis. To protect your eyes, be sure to wear sunglasses that filter out 100 per cent of UV light, especially around water, which can reflect a tremendous amount of light to your eyes.

For more information on how to get the best protection for your eyes, see Sunglasses: more than a fashion statement.

Food poisoning. One of the great traditions of the season is cooking and eating outdoors, whether on your patio or on a picnic or camping trip. Unfortunately, this can also mean an increase in food-borne illnesses. The most common culprit: letting the food sit outside in warm temperatures for too long. For more tips on summer food safety, see Don't get ill from your grill.

Bug bites. Not only are they annoying and itchy, but mosquito bites can be serious if they infect you with a disease like West Nile or malaria. While the risk of getting diseases from mosquito bites is low, the annoyance factor is high indeed. Prevent bites by avoiding buggy areas whenever possible and using a good insect repellent on your skin and clothing. Experts recommend choosing a product with a 10 per cent to 30 per cent concentration of DEET, depending on how many hours of protection you need.

For extra protection, wear long pants and sleeves as well as socks, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are at their peak. To reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home, eliminate any standing water that may have collected in places such as used flowerpots. For more information, click here.