Pulse by MHC Healthcare

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Dove Mountain Health Center - July Picture Updates

Learn more about MHC Healthcare's Dove Mountain Health Center HERE.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

UV Safety

The summer is here in Arizona and that usually means excessive heat and sun from dawn to dusk. There are many precautions to take when being outside to avoid sun burn and many other dangerous skin damage. Below are details about what UV is as well as how to prevent skin damage.

What is UV?

UV stands for Ultraviolet radiation and can be very dangerous if you don’t take the proper measures. Ultraviolet radiation is produced from the sun and although it has risks, it is also a great way to obtain vitamin D.

Ultraviolet radiation has an index to indicate severity ranging from 0 to 11, with 11 being the highest. So if your area indicates a very high index number, you have a very high chance of harm from unprotected exposure. Typically if you go online and check your weather site, there will be a section saying what number on the index your area has. For example, today in Marana, it says we have an index of 3. 0-2 would be low, 3-5 counts as moderate, 6-7 is high, 8-10 is very high, and anything 11+ is extreme.

How Can I Protect Myself?

Wear clothes that will protect your skin such as shirts with long sleeves and pants that cover the legs. Hats are an excellent way to avoid eye and head damage as well as sunglasses. For sunglasses, make sure it has at least 99 UV block as well as a wrap around shape to always protect your eyes. As for a hat, a wide-brimmed is the most recommended.
To avoid sunburns, always make sure to put on sunblock. Although it takes time and if you are in a hurry, it is always better to be safe than sorry. When you don’t protect your skin, you make yourself more vulnerable to skin cancer. According to the FDA, use sunscreen that is broad spectrum and has SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more to reduce skin burns.
Staying in shaded areas when it is unbearably hot or even wearing a good sized hat can protect your skin.
Be careful near anything that can reflect the sun’s rays. Examples include water, windows, snow, and even sand. Resources state that it is still possible to get a sunburn that way.
At higher altitudes, you are increasing your chance of getting hit by UV rays. When you are at higher altitudes, there are significantly less resources to absorb the rays.
Lastly, if you are going to be in the sun a lot, be sure to apply sunscreen at various times throughout the day. For maximum safety, apply every two hours.

By following the necessary precautions, you should be able to enjoy yourself in the sun at the beach, your local park and pool. Safety should always come first and saves a chance at winding up in the emergency room.

For more information on the UV Scale to see how severe it is in your location, check out this link: https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety/uv-index-scale-1

For more information on MHC Healthcare, check out this link: http://mhchealthcare.org/

Stay safe!

Author: Beth Jeffries, MHC Healthcare Volunteer

Monday, June 27, 2016

Fireworks Safety

The 4th of July is around the corner, meaning that fireworks are going to be on the loose like wildfire. Whether you’re in a small town or a huge city, residents enjoy playing with sparklers or shooting off small fire works. However, it is important to practice firework safety so that someone doesn’t set their house on fire or end up with an injury. Back in 2011, it was estimated that 9600 people were in the ER due to not practicing firework safety.

Here are some tips to follow to avoid hurting yourself:

NEVER let children play with fireworks and carefully read the instructions on the box. Even with adult supervision, children can still get hurt.
Always keep a hefty amount of water nearby in case a firework malfunctions (never try to relight the firework if that is the case) or someone gets a burn on their body.
If handling fireworks, it is important to wear protective eye gear.
Store fireworks away from children or pets, as both are naturally curious and the outcome of either getting into the fireworks could be deadly or result in a visit to the ER/veterinarian.
If you notice someone or a group of people using fireworks, be sure to steer clear if they are not using the above steps to avoid possible harm to yourself or those with you.
NEVER aim the fireworks towards anything you can harm or anything that is flammable to avoid burns or starting fires (as well as damaging property).

The picture showed below is a chart from the National Fire Protection Association.

Sparklers can get up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit! That is far hotter than putting your hand in an oven at the maximum temperature. Fireworks are beautiful, but hearing this alone is a reminder of how dangerous they can be even if people are aware of this information.

In a celebration of the 4th of July, the town of Marana is putting together The Star Spangled Spectacular! There will be live music, food trucks, and a few companies giving out goodies as well as information. MHC Healthcare is a title sponsor of this event - visit our table for some 4th of July goodies! The event will start on Monday, July 4th at 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM so be sure to check out all the entertainment before the fireworks show.

Below is a link to the event detailing the address and all of the vendors, events, hosts, and even more information!
http://www.maranaaz.gov/town-calendar/2016/7/4/star-spangled-spectacular

For more information on MHC Healthcare, check out our website here: http://mhchealthcare.org/

Remember to practice firework safety and to have a fantastic 4th of July celebration whether it's celebrating at home with loved ones or enjoying the fireworks!

Author: Beth Jeffries, MHC Healthcare Volunteer