As you enjoy being outdoors this summer, take some simple steps to prevent common health problems and potential dangers posed by the warm weather and many popular summer pastimes. Ensure your family will have a safe and fun summer by being vigilant and limiting distractions. The best safety measures prevent accidents before they happen, like teaching your child to swim and using Coast Guard-approved life vests. 

Other safety tips to keep in mind are:

An estimated 25 percent of men and 3 percent of women develop a common type of hernia called an inguinal hernia at some point in their lives. Hernias tend to grow larger and cause symptoms over time, and most need to be surgically repaired. Many hernia patients can now be treated with robotically-assisted laparoscopic surgery, according to Lee Fleischer, M.D., F.A.C.S., Director of Surgery at Montefiore Nyack Hospital.

If you’re short of breath, you may have a heart valve problem known as mitral regurgitation. Many patients with heart failure have mitral regurgitation, and it is often severe.

If you’re low on energy, gaining weight and feel extremely cold when other people don’t, you may have an underactive thyroid gland, or hypothyroidism. Fortunately, people diagnosed with this condition can be successfully treated with medication, according to Ann Pia Baby, M.D., an endocrinologist with Highland Medical, P.C., Endocrinology.

“If you are consistent with taking medication and following up with your doctor to monitor your hormone levels, you will be able to manage this condition without much difficulty,” Dr. Baby said.