What it takes: Sun exposure on the water
Hours on a boat or shore mean UV from above and reflected off the water. The face, ears, neck, lips and hands get the most, along with the eyes.
Fishing
Long hours by or on the water, in the sun, with hooks and knives.
Fishing is relaxing time outdoors, and many anglers eat what they catch. The risks are sun exposure on open water, the water itself, hooks and knives, and contaminants in some fish from local lakes and rivers.
What it takes and what to do
What it takes: Drowning and cold water
Falling out of a boat, off a slippery bank or through ice is how anglers drown. Most people who die in boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket, and alcohol is often involved. Before going on ice, check local conditions. Stay off ice thinner than about 4 inches of clear ice, never go out alone, and wear a life jacket or float suit and carry ice picks. Ice that holds a person may not hold a vehicle. If someone falls into cold water, get them out of wet clothes and somewhere warm, and call 911.
What to do about Drowning and cold water
Practice water safetyAs neededWear a fitted life jacket on boats, swim near others, and know the water before you go in.What it takes: Contaminants in fish you catch
Some lakes and rivers carry mercury, PCBs or other pollutants that build up in fish. Before you eat your catch, check your state or tribal fish advisory for which species are safe and how often. It matters most for pregnant people and children. Fish is still worth eating, so favor low-mercury choices.
What to do about Contaminants in fish you catch
Eat fish twice a weekWeeklyGet at least 8 ounces of seafood a week, favoring fatty fish that is low in mercury.When to see a professional
Get care for a hook near the eye or deep in a joint, a wound that becomes red, swollen or hot, or a puncture if your tetanus shot is more than 5 to 10 years old. See a doctor for a new or changing mole.