summer safety

Skin in the summer months has a lot going against it, and throughout the course of a day, it can be faced with all kinds of conditions. There's the salty sweat from exercising on hot summer days, the damage that comes with sun exposure, and the dryness that comes with the heat. And let's not forget the other skin incidents that tend to come about in the summer, such as bee stings, mosquito bites, poison ivy rashes, swimmer's itch, exposure to chlorine from the pools, and the list goes on.
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There's nothing like an injury in the backcountry to ruin a good summertime adventure. As outdoor enthusiasts know, minor injuries are easy to come by and can include anything from strained muscles, campfire burns, poison ivy rashes, twisted ankles, sunburns, various cuts and scrapes, and the list goes on. And while these may not seem like a big deal on paper, they have a way of crushing the fun.
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Let's face it... the days of soaking up the sun for that "healthy tan" are clearly over. Fears of skin cancer – namely melanoma – have overridden most peoples' desire for sun-kissed skin. But in the summer, when outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, and water sports beckon, many tend to spend a lot of time in the sun doing what they love.
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For nature lovers, many of the most memorable moments take place in the great outdoors, whether it's catching your first trout on a fly rod or summiting a peak. This is also where people often find the most solace, as time in nature can bring a sense of peace. Unless, of course, things go wrong.
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For many, summer ushers in sunny afternoons spent lounging by pools, floating lazy rivers, and taking the boat out for waterskiing, fishing, and all things wet and wonderful in Illinois. And, whether by a backyard kiddie pool or a local pond, children are particularly enamored, making water safety a foremost concern for parents.
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While the bluster and bite of winter may still reign over much of the country, spring melts and the months of outdoor recreation they usher forth are just around the corner. Now is the time to survey summer gear and prepare for the active months ahead. Boating, camping, and cycling gear can all benefit from a seasonal tune-up. Here are some recommendations for fun summer adventuring.
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