Have fun while staying safe during K-Days events

EDMONTON – Alberta Health Services (AHS) reminds people attending K-Days events to take a few precautions to stay safe while having fun.  
 
Seek shade and stay hydrated. Heat stress is primarily due to three main factors: UVA and UVB radiation, temperature and humidity. People can be affected by heat stress in several ways, from mild to life-threatening. Young children, older adults and people with chronic health conditions are at the highest risk. Try to keep cool by: 

• Doing activities early or later in the day when it is cooler. 
• Trying to avoid strenuous activities. 
• Taking frequent breaks and seeking shade. 
• Drinking water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages to stay hydrated. 

Protect your skin from the sun: 

• Apply a sunscreen that screens out UVA and UVB rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Apply it 20 minutes before going outside and reapply frequently. 
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses (with a UVA/UVB CSA certified seal). 
• Wear light-coloured long-sleeved shirts and pants that cover skin. 

Be cognizant of your alcohol use. Drinking less is better for your health. If you choose to drink, consuming more than two standard drinks per occasion is associated with an increased risk of harm to self and others. Consider: 

• Drinking slowly. 
• Having one non-alcoholic drink for every drink of alcohol. 
• Choosing alcohol-free or low-alcohol beverages. 
• Eating before and while you’re drinking. 

Avoid alcohol when: 

• Pregnant or planning to become pregnant. 
• Breastfeeding. 
• Driving a motor vehicle (e.g., designated driver, car, truck, motorcycle, e-bike, scooter).  
• Taking medicine or other drugs that interact with alcohol.  
• You are responsible for the safety of others; and making important decisions (e.g., in relationships). 

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.