With much of America locked in Winter's icy embrace it seems like a silly time to worry about summer health and safety, but the CDC has already released its list of summer health and safety tips for men.

Water safety is a major concern for everyone in the coming warm weather, and should be especially for men: In 2006, adult males were three times more likely than females to die from accidental drownings in the United States. The CDC urges men to do some obvious things to help avoid a watery death. First and foremost: learn to swim. Swimming lessons are offered in most American cities at municipal pools or other facilities, and adults are encouraged to take the lessons alongside any minor children in the home that can't swim. Swimming not only makes you safer in and around the water, but is also an excellent no-impact exercise. Besides learning to swim common sense tactics will help keep you safe around water. Be sure to have approved life-jackets or other flotation devices on hand, and don't substitute inflatable pool toys or floats for water safety devices.

The CDC also urges taking a certified CPR class as preparation for summer fun. In the time it takes for paramedics to arrive at the scene of any accident, no matter the season, rudimentary cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) could make the difference in saving someone's life. Drowning victims in particular have been shown to have significantly higher survival rates when they receive CPR from bystanders while waiting for help to arrive.

Some overlooked areas of concern for men's health during summer include heat exhaustion, sunburn, and bites. Men are warned that many ‘normal' daily activities in summer put them at more risk for heat-related illnesses and skin damage that may lead to skin cancer. When possible men should avoid outdoor activity during midday when it's usually hottest and the sun's rays are strongest and most damaging. They should also drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic fluids, and seek shade whenever possible. Covering up skin and using sunscreens will also cut sunburn and skin cancer risks.

When possible, men should avoid situations where they might be exposed to mosquitoes that could carry West Nile Virus or other diseases. When fishing, golfing, etc. men should use mosquito repellent and reapply it often. Outside sun porches should be screened in when possible and potential mosquito breeding sites should be eliminated from work sites, etc. whenever possible.

There's no way to completely remove all the potential perils of summer, but some preparation can go a long way toward keeping safe and healthy during the warmer months.

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