Summer is quickly approaching in the DMV.
Whether you're looking for things to do, need tips on avoiding bug bites, or looking for a summer camp to enroll your children in, 7News has complied a list of all our summer-related stories to get you through the heat:
BUGS
The temperature is warming up, and that means while you’re enjoying the nice weather -- the mosquitos are too.
“Mosquitoes, they can come when the weather is 50 degrees or warmer, but they really tend to peak when it gets above 70 and consistently holding those temperatures that mosquitoes really start to thrive,” said Dr. Troy Baker, an allergy immunology physician at Kaiser Permanente. “We will have mosquitoes anywhere from now until probably end of September, early October before they go away.”
The EPA also rates certain repellents as safe and effective.
Wasp nests and tiny ticks are getting ready for the new season too.
“When I say that ticks are the worst, they are the worst. If you can avoid them, you should,” said Dr. Sammy Ramsey, entomologist and CU Boulder professor told 7News Health and Wellness Reporter Victoria Sanchez.
Bug spray that has DEET as an ingredient helps prevent both mosquito and tick bites by chemically masking your smell.
SUMMER SAFETY
During summer, your kids and teenagers will spend more time at their friends’ homes, playdates and sleepovers. 7News Adrianna Hopkins spoke with Children’s National Hospital emergency physician Dr. Katie Donnelly on the key questions adults should ask the other parents in advance.
Pool – who’s going to be in the pool, who’s watching kids in the pool and how is it secured when it’s not in use?
Pets – where are they kept, are they accustomed to strangers?
Guns – “About 1/3 of families in the U.S. have guns and we want to make sure those guns are safely stored because kids are curious, want to try things, and don’t realize the dangers guns pose even if they’ve been trained about firearms,” Donnelly said.
The warm weather also has many switching over spring gear for clothing that will help with the warm weather.
7News Health and Wellness Reporter Victoria Sanchez spoke with an expert about summer shoes that will help keep families healthy.
Summer brings heat and humidity to the area, but also a high ultraviolet index, known as the UV index. Higher UV levels indicate intense sun rays, which can lead to more damage on the skin and a faster sunburn. The sun is most intense between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends keeping as much skin covered as possible. UV-safe hats and sunglasses and a sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater should be used outdoors.
Pool safety -- Recently, a piece of advice has popped up on mommy blogs and social media telling people not to buy their kids blue or blue-green swimsuits.
7News’ Adrianna Hopkins talked to a pediatric emergency doctor, Dr. Sarah Combs, about this and she said it’s good advice.
READ MORE | Sun and water safety reminders
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
There are plenty of amazing options for kids in the D.C. area to make the most of their time off from school. 7News spoke with a local mom and blogger Isabel Pak. She said there is a camp for every interest.
Other fun things to do in the DMV:
- Six Flags America announced its newest attraction, RipQurl Blaster
- During the month of June, check out some Pride Month events here
- The Atlantis, now located at 2047 9th Street Northwest, will host a series of concerts
- D.C. residents can attend Jazz in Bloom, a series of concerts at Union Station
- Swimply app allows strangers to rent their private pools