A picnic is a great way to get your entire family out in the fresh air for a meal together. Your dad loves seeing his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, siblings, nieces, and nephews, but a gathering inside is too risky. In a backyard or at a park, there’s room to run around and for people to space themselves out.
April 23rd is National Picnic Day. Plan a family picnic, but don’t ignore these safety rules that protect your dad and everyone in the family.
Bring Plenty of Beverages
Your dad needs to stay hydrated. Make sure there is plenty of ice water, iced tea, lemonade, or other beverages you know he’ll enjoy. Ideally, he wants to have about eight ounces per hour to avoid dehydrating, but this may increase if he’s more active than normal or it’s very hot outside.
If he’s unlikely to drink enough, pack fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, berries, and oranges. They have a high water content.
Keep Cold Foods Cold, and Hot Foods Hot
Food safety is important as your dad’s immune system may not handle food poisoning as well as a younger adult’s can. Cold foods need to be in a cooler with ice packs. This includes items like potato salad, mayonnaise and egg-based dishes, salad dressings with dairy ingredients, and deli meats and cheeses. If you’re bringing marinating meats to grill, those stay cold too.
Hot dishes need to be kept hot. Once chicken, beef, hot dogs, etc. have been grilled, they have to be kept hot. Once people are done eating, move cooked meats to another cooler with ice packs or put things in a refrigerator. If they sit out for more than a couple of hours, they are no longer safe to eat.
Wear Sunscreen
Sunscreen is important for preventing sunburn. A broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays is ideal. Aim for a mineral-based sunscreen that has an SPF of 35 or higher.
When applying sunscreen, apply it around 15 minutes before heading outside. Reapply it after getting out of the water or every two hours, whichever comes first. A wide-brimmed hat and shade from a tree or umbrella also help your dad avoid too much sun exposure.
Make Sure Your Dad Doesn’t Overexert Himself
Your dad shouldn’t overexert himself. If he’s trying to keep up with his grandkids while playing games in the backyard, he needs to take breaks often. If it’s very hot, he has to stop and sit in the shade periodically.
If he’s going to be stubborn, consider having some activities for kids that require them to sit down. Games like Bingo or trivia challenges are good ideas, and you can have prizes ready to hand out.
Home care assistance services are helpful when you’re busy with work, children, and your own home’s maintenance. As much as you want to be there helping your dad, you may not always have the time he needs. Home care assistance services can provide the help he needs, giving you peace of mind.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Home Care Assistance in Peoria, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Home Care Resources at (602) 443-4700.
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