Local doctors provide helpful tips on how to stay safe under the sun during Fourth of July weekend

Local doctors have some helpful reminders if you and your family are planning on spending time under the sun this holiday weekend. “We really should be maintaining a good status of hydration, making sure that kids and us grownups too, drink enough water. And if we are not eating at the time, we should really consider drinking some form of electrolytes…whether it’s something like Pedialyte or Gatorade or something with a little bit of salt and sugar, so we that we don’t have an imbalance of electrolytes while we’re sweating,” Dr. Celina Moore, a pediatrician at West Boca Medical Center, told WPBF 25 News. Cara Marcello and her family say they are excited to spend time with loved ones this Fourth of July weekend. “Been trying to keep cool by going to the pools and the beaches around town. We always pack water, sunscreen, we try to wear the swim shirts and hats. Whatever we can to protect ourselves from the sun and still have fun,” she said. “It’s chaos, with the holidays and everybody wanting to be in the water. So, we definitely designate one person at all times to watch the kids. We always have waters for them, we try to take water breaks, snack breaks as often as we can, and load them up with shade in any way possible,” she added. The latest: Weather coverage from WPBF 25 News WPBF 25 News also spoke with the trauma medical director at St. Mary’s Medical Center ahead of the holiday weekend. “We see hundreds of people coming to the ER, leading up to the Fourth of July with fireworks and related injuries. And the Fourth of July happens to be the worst day, with people getting injured,” Dr. Robert Borrego said. “It’s a combination of those things, people having fun, they’re setting off fireworks and it’s hot outside. It’s a recipe for disaster.” Medical experts advise families to limit time spent outdoors by taking breaks, wearing sunscreen, and finding shade when possible. “Protecting the skin against sun, which means in infants and younger children, long sleeves long pants and a wide brim hat to protect the neck as well as the face,” Dr. Moore said. “Wear sunscreen, wear head cover, and just stay cognizant of how hot it is outside,” Dr. Borrego said. Be Prepared: WPBF 25 News coverage on hurricanesFamilies should also be vigilant with detecting any possible symptoms of heat and sun exposure. “High body temperature, fatigue, sleepiness, difficulty, decrease urine output, and confusion. Those are the big systems of heat exposure, heat stroke,” Dr. Moore said. “I would not wait until after the holiday to bring your child into the pediatrician. This is an emergency room type of situation.””If you’re outside, and you’re feeling chills and cold and fatigue, and clammy, then you have gone too far at that point,” Dr. Borrego said. “Definitely you should probably come to the emergency department at that point.”And while many Floridians will be spending the holiday with their loved ones in the Sunshine State, many will also be traveling out of state. “Be aware that you’re traveling to other altitudes perhaps, other areas where it’s hotter. So, 100% it’s the same precautions that you take here, but on top of that, you need to be able to be self-sufficient for whatever amount of time you’re going to be away from home,” Dr. Borrego said. “A lot of times when we’re on vacation, we kind of let our guard down. And that can be a really dangerous combination of children and water safety, sun safety and then also firework safety heading into the Fourth of July. We have to remember that fireworks should be only handled by the professionals,” Dr. Moore said. “I cannot stress enough how important it is to watch children in the pool. Oftentimes, this is when it’s the highest risk when there are families, and parties and get togethers, where someone always thinks someone else is watching the child,” she added. Never miss anything: Sign up for personalized newsletters and alerts from WPBF 25 News

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —

Local doctors have some helpful reminders if you and your family are planning on spending time under the sun this holiday weekend.

“We really should be maintaining a good status of hydration, making sure that kids and us grownups too, drink enough water. And if we are not eating at the time, we should really consider drinking some form of electrolytes…whether it’s something like Pedialyte or Gatorade or something with a little bit of salt and sugar, so we that we don’t have an imbalance of electrolytes while we’re sweating,” Dr. Celina Moore, a pediatrician at West Boca Medical Center, told WPBF 25 News.

Cara Marcello and her family say they are excited to spend time with loved ones this Fourth of July weekend.

“Been trying to keep cool by going to the pools and the beaches around town. We always pack water, sunscreen, we try to wear the swim shirts and hats. Whatever we can to protect ourselves from the sun and still have fun,” she said.

“It’s chaos, with the holidays and everybody wanting to be in the water. So, we definitely designate one person at all times to watch the kids. We always have waters for them, we try to take water breaks, snack breaks as often as we can, and load them up with shade in any way possible,” she added.

The latest: Weather coverage from WPBF 25 News

WPBF 25 News also spoke with the trauma medical director at St. Mary’s Medical Center ahead of the holiday weekend.

“We see hundreds of people coming to the ER, leading up to the Fourth of July with fireworks and related injuries. And the Fourth of July happens to be the worst day, with people getting injured,” Dr. Robert Borrego said. “It’s a combination of those things, people having fun, they’re setting off fireworks and it’s hot outside. It’s a recipe for disaster.”

Medical experts advise families to limit time spent outdoors by taking breaks, wearing sunscreen, and finding shade when possible.

“Protecting the skin against sun, which means in infants and younger children, long sleeves long pants and a wide brim hat to protect the neck as well as the face,” Dr. Moore said.

“Wear sunscreen, wear head cover, and just stay cognizant of how hot it is outside,” Dr. Borrego said.

Be Prepared: WPBF 25 News coverage on hurricanes

Families should also be vigilant with detecting any possible symptoms of heat and sun exposure.

“High body temperature, fatigue, sleepiness, difficulty, decrease urine output, and confusion. Those are the big systems of heat exposure, heat stroke,” Dr. Moore said. “I would not wait until after the holiday to bring your child into the pediatrician. This is an emergency room type of situation.”

“If you’re outside, and you’re feeling chills and cold and fatigue, and clammy, then you have gone too far at that point,” Dr. Borrego said. “Definitely you should probably come to the emergency department at that point.”

And while many Floridians will be spending the holiday with their loved ones in the Sunshine State, many will also be traveling out of state.

“Be aware that you’re traveling to other altitudes perhaps, other areas where it’s hotter. So, 100% it’s the same precautions that you take here, but on top of that, you need to be able to be self-sufficient for whatever amount of time you’re going to be away from home,” Dr. Borrego said.

“A lot of times when we’re on vacation, we kind of let our guard down. And that can be a really dangerous combination of children and water safety, sun safety and then also firework safety heading into the Fourth of July. We have to remember that fireworks should be only handled by the professionals,” Dr. Moore said.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is to watch children in the pool. Oftentimes, this is when it’s the highest risk when there are families, and parties and get togethers, where someone always thinks someone else is watching the child,” she added.

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