Do's and Dont's

A Few Safety Tips for Our Las Vegas Visitors!

We want you to have a safe and enjoyable visit. We know that it's easy to get caught up in all the excitement of our 24 hour community and our visitors sometimes forget about the common sense things they practice at home to ensure their safety.  So we'd like to provide you with some simple DO's and DON'Ts to ensure you have a great time in the "Entertainment Capital of the World." Do's and Don'ts DO carry traveler's checks instead of large amounts of cash.  DO NOT carry all of your cash and traveler's checks with you; instead place them in your room or hotel safe.   DO write down your credit card numbers as well as the customer service number for the issuing banks, put them in a sealed envelope and ask the hotel front desk if it can be held for you.   DO separate your cash and credit cards.   DO carry wallets, purses and bags securely.  Do not leave purses on chairs, under tables or on restroom hooks.   DO use a fanny-pack or shoulder holster-wallet.   DO keep your cash, jewelry and valuables (such as passports, cameras and airline tickets) locked in your hotel safety deposit box or safe.   DO only use automatic tellers in areas that are well-lit. DO NOT count your money in the open but inside your vehicle with the windows up.   DO keep track of your keys.  You may consider returning your hotel room key to the front desk while away from your room.   DO ask a security officer to escort you to your room if you have lost your key.   DO, when using valet parking, only give the attendant your car key and DO NOT leave valuables in your vehicle.   DO park your car in a well lighted area at night and DO remember to lock the doors and roll up the windows. (Remember to keep them open a tiny bit to avoid them from cracking because of extreme interior heat buildup.  Never leave children or pets in a vehicle due to extreme temperatures which can develop in seconds.   DO be wary of solicitors.   DO travel in pairs or groups if possible.   DO pay attention to your surroundings.   DO report any suspicious situations or people to a security officer or a staff person.   DO ALWAYS lock your hotel room door, even if just going for ice. Intruders much prefer to walk in rather than crash in   DO NOT leave room keys laying around the swimming pool.   DO NOT flash your cash.   DO NOT leave your luggage unattended when checking into your hotel.   DO NOT countersign all your traveler's checks.   DO NOT pick up hitchhikers.   DO NOT leave your keys in unattended car, even while running a quick errand or filling up with gas.

What is the UV Index? In response to the increasing incidence of skin cancer, cataracts, and other effects from exposure to the sun's harmful rays, the National Weather Service (NWS), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collaborated on a sun awareness information program.   An important part of this program is the Ultraviolet (UV) Index, developed by the National Meteorological Center of the National Weather Service.   The Index is a next-day forecast that estimates the amount of ultraviolet radiation that will reach the earth's surface -- providing important information to help you prevent overexposure to the sun's rays. The Index also includes the effects of cloud cover on the anticipated UV exposure level for the next day.

Index Values	UV Index - Exposure  Categories
0 - 2	Minimal - An index reading of 0 to 2 means minimal danger from the sun's UV rays for the average person.
3 - 4	Low - An index reading of 3 to 4 means you may be at risk of skin damage from the sun's rays -- many people can experience a sunburn in 45 minutes.
5 - 6	Moderate - An index reading of 5 to 6 means you may be at some measurable risk of skin damage due to the sun -- many people can experience a burn in only 30 minutes.
7 - 9	High - An index reading of 7 to 9 means you may be at high risk of harm from unprotected exposure to the sun -- many people can burn in under 15 minutes.
10 +	Very High - An index reading of 10 and above means you are at maximal risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure -- many people burn in as little as 10 minutes without protection.

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps usually affect people who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. This sweating depletes the body's salt and moisture. The low salt level in the muscles causes painful cramps. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion.

Recognizing Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms -- usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs -- that may occur in association with strenuous activity. If you have heart problems or are on a low sodium diet, get medical attention for heat cramps.

What to Do:

If medical attention is not necessary, take these steps:

Stop all activity, and sit quietly in a cool place.

Drink clear juice or a sports beverage.

Do not return to strenuous activity for a few hours after the cramps subside because further exertion may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Seek medical attention for heat cramps if they do not subside in 1 hour.

Sunburn

Sunburn should be avoided because it is damaging to the skin. Although the discomfort is usually minor and healing often occurs in about a week, a more severe sunburn may require medical attention.

Recognizing Sunburn:

Symptoms of sunburn are well known: skin becomes red, painful, and abnormally warm after sun exposure.

What to Do:

Consult a doctor if the sunburn affects an infant under 1 year of age or if these symptoms are present:

• fever
• fluid-filled blisters
• severe pain

Also, remember these tips when treating sunburn:

Avoid repeated sun exposure.

Apply cold compresses or immerse the sunburned area in cool water.

Apply moisturizing lotion to affected areas. Do not use salve, butter, or ointment.

Do not break blisters.  

Heat Rash

Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. It can occur at any age but is most common in young children.

Recognizing Heat Rash

Heat rash looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters. It is more likely to occur on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts, and in elbow creases.

What to Do:

The best treatment for heat rash is to provide a cooler, less humid environment. Keep the affected area dry. Dusting powder may be used to increase comfort, but avoid using ointments or creams -- they keep the skin warm and moist and may make the condition worse.

Treating heat rash is simple and usually does not require medical assistance. Other heat-related problems can be much more severe.

One last hot tip...

These self-help measures are not a substitute for medical care but may help you recognize and respond promptly to warning signs of trouble. Your best defense against heat-related illness is prevention. Staying cool and making simple changes in your fluid intake, activities, and clothing during hot weather can help you to remain safe and healthy.

Prevention and Protection Protocols

How can skin cancer be prevented?

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has declared war on skin cancer by recommending these three preventive steps: 

Wear protective clothing, including a hat with a four-inch brim.

Apply sunscreen all over your body and avoid the midday sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Regularly use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 35 or higher, even on cloudy days.

The following six steps have been recommended by the AAD and the Skin Cancer Foundation to help reduce the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.

Minimize exposure to the sun at midday -- between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Apply sunscreen, with at least a SPF-35 or higher that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, to all areas of the body that are exposed to the sun.

Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days. Reapply after swimming or perspiring.

Wear clothing that covers the body and shades the face. Hats should provide shade for both the face and back of the neck. Wearing sunglasses will reduce the amount of rays reaching the eye by filtering as much as 80 percent of the rays, and protecting the lids of our eyes as well as the lens.

Avoid exposure to UV radiation from sunlamps or tanning parlors.

Protect children. Keep them from excessive sun exposure when the sun is strongest (between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.), and apply sunscreen liberally and frequently to children 6 months of age and older.

Do not use sunscreen on children under 6 months of age -- instead severely limit their exposure to the sun.

Remember, sand and pavement reflect UV rays even under the umbrella. Snow is even a particularly good reflector of UV rays. Reflective surfaces can reflect up to 85 percent of the damaging sun rays.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  When traveling through the desert, always bring plenty of bottled water in the car in case of break down while waiting for emergency road assistance.  "Never" leave children or animals unattended in a vehicle due to extreme temperatures which can develop in minutes rendering life threatening conditions to the cars occupants.