Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Doing good for those in service

May 21, 2024 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club attended a Welcome Home Ceremony and Ribbon-Cutting at the Let Us Do Good Village in Land O’ Lakes in honor of Jenny, Caden and J.J. Williams. The family chose May 4, International Firefighters Day, to celebrate their husband/father Patrick “Pat” Williams who worked as a firefighter with the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department for 33 years until he passed away. The woman’s club joined the Williams family and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to recognize Patrick’s life, service, sacrifice and legacy as they welcomed the family to their new mortgage-free home. Club members Linda Mitchell, Dee Knerr, Darlene Choe, Shirley Wilhite, Jan King, Marsha Gibson, Jody Stewart, Nancy Taylor, Edna Gordon, Linda Buzzee, Darryln Caudill and Nancy Branham delivered gifts for the home to the family.

Lutz Guv’na Race for 2024 is underway

May 21, 2024 By Joe Potter

Three candidates are vying for the coveted title of Lutz Guv’na in the annual fun-filled event that raises funds for community and nonprofit organizations.

The campaign, which kicked off on April 27 and has been held annually since the mid-‘50s, has been sponsored and overseen by the Lutz Civic Association since the early ’90s, according to Stephanie Ensor who was crowned Lutz Guv’na in 2010.

The event usually starts in early May but began sooner this year to accommodate the candidates’ schedules, according to Jennifer Rankin, the 2015 Lutz Guv’na.

Two of the candidates — Linda Mitchell and Joanne LaChance — are retired educators. The third hopeful is Rob Brooklyn, a local business owner.

Each of this year’s three candidates is seeking to raise as much money as possible between April 27 and July 4.
“It’s all for the same goal,” Ensor said regarding the highly competitive event.

During each campaign season, candidates rally to raise funds totaling thousands of dollars for approximately 20 nonprofit beneficiaries in Lutz, which will be collected and disbursed by the civic association. Each candidate gets to direct 10% of the funds they raise to a charitable organization in Lutz of their choosing.

Charities and nonprofit organizations that desire to receive grants can apply by sending a request to ; none of the funds will be disbursed until September, according to Ensor.

MEET THE CANDIDATES

Rob Brooklyn (Courtesy of Lutz Guv’na Chronicles/Facebook)

Rob Brooklyn
“The Guv’na We Love” is Rob Brooklyn’s slogan as he campaigns for the title of Lutz Guv’na 2024.

Brooklyn is the owner of Hardrock Landscape Services in Lutz. The business was founded in 1998 and has received many favorable reviews over the past 26 years.

Learning Gate Community School, 16215 Hanna Road in Lutz, is Brooklyn’s charity of choice.

He’s been married for 13 years and he and his wife have four children.

Although he was nervous during the candidates’ debate, Brooklyn said the event was still “a lot of fun.”

Online contributions to Brooklyn’s campaign may be made on PayPal: @ROBBROOKLYN.

Joanne LaChance (Courtesy of Lutz Guv’na Chronicles/Facebook

Joanne LaChance
“Everything is better with friends and family! And lots of $$$,” is Joanne LaChance’s slogan during her Lutz Guv’na crusade.

LaChance, who is a retired schoolteacher, has chosen the Lutz PK-8 School, at 202 Fifth Ave., S.E.,, as her charity of choice to receive 10% of the funds she raises.

She now owns and operates Lutz Pinch A Penny Pool Store at the intersection of Sunset Lane and U.S. 41.

“I am running for the Guv’na of Lutz to help raise lots of money for our awesome community,” LaChance said in a post on the Lutz Guv’na Chronicles page on Facebook.

“Owning the local pool store has given me the opportunity to meet so many Lutz families! Seeing everyone and their children on a weekly basis has really made me fall in love with our wonderful little town!

“I am excited to run for Guv’na of Lutz to give back to my community and to show my support to the great people of Lutz. So please come stop by the store to donate and take part in all the exciting events we will be having to support our local Lutz charities,” LaChance said.

She and her husband Eric, who is a retired chief financial officer, are the parents of three children — Zachary, Erica and Emily. All of their children worked at the store at one time or another.

“They are all now making their own way through life and visit us often,” LaChance said.

Online contributions to her campaign may be made through Venmo: @Joanne-Lachance.

Linda Mitchell (Courtesy of Lutz Guv’na Chronicles/Facebook)

Linda Mitchell
“In It To Win It” is Linda Mitchell’s slogan for this year’s Lutz Guv’na race.

The 1st vice president of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club is a former educator who retired after working as an eighth grade Language Arts teacher at Adams Middle School for 25 years.

The club “is all behind its gal and will support her to the hilt,” said a post on the club’s web page.

The Woman’s Club is the nonprofit organization of Mitchell’s choice to receive 10% of the money she raises.

She’s a native of the Lutz area who moved to the community after she and her husband of 49 years, John, got married. They have two children — Billy (wife Tracy) and Kelly (husband Cameron) — and four grandchildren, Alexis, Alyssa, Ava and Jack.

In addition to coaching Lutz Chiefs cheerleading and the Lutz Leagurettes, she was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for Lutz Little League and a den leader and committee chairman for Cub Scout Pack 12. Also, she is an advisor for the Little Women of Lutz Juniorettes program and recently was honored as the GFWC Florida State Juniorette Advisor of the Year.

She received $100 to kick-off her campaign by having the most attendees in her favor during the annual “debate” held on April 27 at the Old Lutz School.

The Lutz Civic Association will announce the total amount of money raised in the race at the annual July 4th parade, as well as the amount raised by the winning Lutz Guv’na candidate. The winner will receive a colorful sash, a “key to the town” and will be “inaugurated” at the Old Train Depot on Lutz Lake Fern Road during the parade, Ensor said.

All of this year’s candidates are running for the first time for the one-year term as Lutz Guv’na. Only one person — Suzin Carr — has become Guv’na on two different occasions (2009, 2013).

Previous winners of the Lutz Guv’na Race are:
2023 – Jerome Smalls
2022 – Atlas Cortecero
2019 – Amy Lancaster
2018 – Domenic Difante
2017 – Kori Rankin
2016 – Greg Gilbert
2015 – Jennifer Rankin
2014 – Dr. Cindy Perkins
2013 – Suzin Carr
2012 – Karen D’Amico
2011 – Kevin White
2010 – Stephanie Ensor
2009 – Suzin Carr
2008 – Teri Burgess
2007 – Michele Northrup
2006 – Edwina Kraemer
2005 – Liz Iaconetti
2004 – Dean Rivett
2003 – Joni Cagle
2002 – Brett Montegny
2001 – Helen Kinyon
2000 – Vince Arcuri
1999 – Danny Neeley
1998 – Sandy Ruberg
1997 – Earl Smith
1996 – Ben Nevel
1995 – Kay Dahman
1994 – Lorraine Dabney
1993 – Leslie Dennison
1992 – Betty Neeley
1991 – Jo Van Bebber

Published May 22, 2024

Florida to bolster its anti-human trafficking efforts with new law

May 21, 2024 By Andrew Powell

(The Center Square) — Florida will beef up its efforts to stem human trafficking after legislation was signed into law on Monday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 7063, a bill that will make important updates on how Florida combats human trafficking and extends the lifetime of the statewide Council on Human Trafficking within the Department of Legal Affairs.

Under the new law, rest area service plazas, emergency rooms, massage parlors, strip clubs or other known human trafficking hotspots will be required to display human trafficking awareness signs with telephone numbers to both the national hotline and Florida’s hotline. Penalties are also being increased for entities who fail to comply.

Anti-trafficking billboard put up by the National Human Trafficking Resource Center in Mounds View, Minnesota. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The bill also requires entities with contracts with the Florida government to provide assurances to the state that they do not use coerced labor and prohibits a minor from being employed by an adult entertainment establishment in any role.

“The Legislature has over the years I’ve been governor, worked with us to combat human trafficking, and this is a really serious scourge in our society, and because we’re a state that’s a destination state…unfortunately that attracts human trafficking,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis said over the past three and a half years the Southern Border has been inundated with illegal migrants crossing into the U.S.. Because of this, the Mexican drug cartels are using this as an opportunity to drive human trafficking.

“So this is a big, big problem for the United States, and it’s a problem that we have worked to tackle in Florida and are continuing today with the announcement,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis stated that since 2019, more than 50,000 calls have been made to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. DeSantis pointed out that according to the Department of Justice, the average age of a trafficked individual is 13 years old.

“80% of those trafficked are girls, and of those girls, 80% are subjected to sexual exploitation,” DeSantis said. “We know that that is unacceptable, and we need to continue to work hard, and today we’re doing even more to uphold the law and to go after those who are trafficking these children.”

DeSantis noted that Florida has zero tolerance when it comes to the sexual exploitation of children, as the death penalty can now be given to those convicted of pedophilia in the state of Florida, even though the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed the practice in a 2007 decision in the Kennedy v. Louisiana case.

Published May 22, 2024

State regulators approve rate cut requests by two utilities

May 21, 2024 By Andrew Powell

(The Center Square) — Florida utility regulators approved requests this week to cut customer rates for two of Florida’s biggest electricity providers.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) held its monthly meeting Tuesday and approved Tampa Electric and Duke Energy Florida’s requests to lower electricity rates, citing lower-than-expected fuel costs. Duke Energy customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month, can expect a $5.90 reduction in their monthly bills.

Under state law, utilities can charge customers for increased fuel charges, but when prices go down, they’re also required to lower rates.

(American Public Power Association/Unsplash)

These rates will take effect in June and are in addition to an existing 6% reduction in monthly costs that adds up to $11.29 in monthly savings from January. Duke Energy Florida supplies electricity to over 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in Florida, spread over a 13,000-square-mile service area.

On the company’s website, Duke Energy Florida state president Melissa Seixas said in a statement that the approvals are great for Duke Energy Florida customers.

“Today’s approvals are great news for Florida customers, especially as we get closer to our warmest months,” Seixas said. “Duke Energy continues to look for ways to pass on savings to our customers while providing the reliable, increasingly clean power our customers and communities expect.”

Tampa Electric customers using 1,000 kWh per month will have an almost $10 reduction in monthly bills, going from an average of $143.48 to $136.44 per month. The company provides services to over 840,000 customers throughout west-central Florida

Tampa Electric’s commercial customers will also have a reduction of between 4% and 11%. This is the second time rates have been lowered this year after Tampa Electric petitioned the PSC to decrease residential bills by almost $18 monthly. This cut could lead to potential savings of up to $175 for the remainder of 2024.

President and chief executive officer of Tampa Electric Archie Collins, said in a statement on the company’s website that they are pleased to be passing on savings.

“Tampa Electric is pleased to be in a position to reduce electricity bills again this year,” Collins said. “We are happy to provide customers with some welcome relief as the summer’s heat begins.”

Published May 22, 2024

Report details how state policymakers should use artificial intelligence

May 21, 2024 By Andrew Powell

(The Center Square) — A report on artificial intelligence provides guidance on how Florida policymakers can best deal with this emerging technology.

The James Madison Institute (JMI) released Bringing Government Into the 21st Century: Artificial Intelligence and State Government Operations this month and the report says that it is often thought that AI is a new technology, when it has been around for some time in many ways.

The report outlines several ways lawmakers can use this technology to streamline and modernize state government operations and help deliver better services. It also noted some of the potential challenges that could be faced.

One of the biggest concerns is how this technology will affect jobs. The report points out that the International Monetary Fund has stated that around 60% of jobs in developed countries could be exposed to AI. However, researchers have found that early indicators show that instead of replacing jobs, AI is changing jobs.

Privacy and data security are also serious concerns, potentially putting state agencies at risk of cyberattacks. The report further notes that the time it takes for state agencies to procure AI technologies could present significant roadblocks to implementation, leaving those agencies lagging behind.

On the positive side, AI technology presents the opportunity to better streamline unemployment and reemployment benefits by screening applications and pinpointing instances of fraud. AI could also take up general administrative tasks, allowing government workers to focus on more important responsibilities.

Edward Longe, report author and director of the Center for Technology & Innovation at The James Madison Institute, said in a statement that the report’s purpose was to show lawmakers why they should be embracing AI.

“Artificial Intelligence has the power to streamline state government operations, not just here in Florida, but across the country,” Longe said. “In releasing this policy brief, JMI hopes to illuminate the ways emerging technologies can make government work better for citizens in the coming years. We also hope to show why state lawmakers should be embracing these technologies and not rejecting them.”

According to the report, policy solutions include procurement reform, establishing government task forces to study how AI can be incorporated into government services, implementing cybersecurity reform, retraining and reskilling employees and state government allowing state agencies to experiment with AI and use it in day-to-day operations.

Published May 22, 2024

Audit finds cybersecurity issues with Florida Department of Revenue

May 21, 2024 By Andrew Powell

(The Center Square) — A recent audit of the Florida Department of Revenue showed that improvements were needed to ensure the safety and privacy of data.

The Florida auditor general found a handful of issues with the department’s operations, including not appropriately maintaining public records, a lack of oversight around ex-employee access to certain accounts and not properly clearing data from surplus information technology equipment.

The Department of Revenue has three main functions: Collecting and distributing state taxes and fees, overseeing Florida’s property tax system and providing child support enforcement services. The department was allocated over $717 million in last year’s budget.

According to the report, it was found that department management’s internal controls for ensuring that text and multimedia messages were not retained in accordance with state law. Communications are statutorily required to be retained for a period of three years for administrative correspondence and five years for policy development correspondence.

The auditor general recommended that the department make or obtain independent, periodic assessments, test the effectiveness of relevant internal controls and strengthen existing controls to ensure department devices with messaging capabilities are retained according to Florida statutes.

The audit also found that department controls over employee access to several different data systems — including the Florida Accounting Information Resource Subsystem, the Contract Accountability Tracking System and the Child Support Enforcement Automated Management System — needed to be improved to prevent unauthorized or improper use of access privileges.

Several instances occurred where ex-employees did not have their access removed immediately upon leaving the department. Further, some access reviews did not have supporting documentation to prove they had been carried out per statutory requirements.

The auditor general recommended that IT user access privilege controls be enhanced and that employee access privileges be deactivated upon leaving the department.

Lastly, department records between July 2021 and January 2023 showed that 1,871 items were identified as surplus IT equipment with data storage. Of the 25 selected for the audit, five iPhones, one iPad and a laptop computer lacked evidence to show they had been properly sanitized and wiped of potentially confidential information.

It was recommended that the department better document evidence that surplus items are sanitized or physically destroyed appropriately to ensure sensitive information is not disclosed.

Published May 22, 2024

Wireless activity may be improved in Blanton Lake area

May 21, 2024 By Joe Potter

Current and future residents of the Blanton Lake area may be a step closer to experiencing significant wireless network improvements in the future following a recent action by the Pasco County Planning Commission.

Planning commissioners approved sending to the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) a request for conditional use submitted by Beverly and Vesta James Elliott/Coral Towers, LLC/Verizon Wireless. The applicants want to be allowed to have a cell tower installed at 17272 Spring Valley Road in Dade City.

If approved by the BOCC at its June 4 meeting in Dade City, a preliminary site plan will have to be submitted for review and approval before the cell tower may be installed. All applicable sections of Pasco County’s Land Development Code (LDC) also must be met prior to the tower’s installation.

The tower, which will be 195 feet high with a 4-foot-tall lightning rod on top of it, is expected to provide more coverage and capacity for the existing service area, the conditional request application said.

Plans call for the tower to be installed within a 1,600-square-foot fenced compound that will be suitable for the co-location of three additional carriers, for a total of four carriers.

The property where the tower will be placed is located on the north side of Spring Valley Road, approximately 870 feet west of Adela Street in County Commission District 1 in North Central Pasco County.

In other business at the May 2 meeting in Dade City, planning commissioners also:

Agreed to approve a zoning amendment requested by Trust 12304/Happy Hill for the zoning of approximately 0.66 acres of property located on the southwest corner of Happy Hill Road and Lakeview Drive to be changed from an R-2 Low Density Residential District to a PO-2 Professional Office District.

There currently is a duplex on this property in County Commission District 1 in East Central Pasco County. The change will allow an office to be built on the property.

Approved a zoning amendment requested by Hudson-based Tochas LLC. The applicant asked for the zoning of an approximately 0.69 acre site on the north side of Breakwater Lane approximately 180 feet west of Shady Hills Road to be changed from a C-2 General Commercial District to an A-R Agricultural-Residential District. The property is in County Commission District 5 in Northwest Pasco County.

The property owner had contacted Pasco County’s Zoning Office in August 2023 after he had listed the property for sale. He was told the property was not permitted for residential use except ancillary to a permitted commercial use on the property. He had purchased the property in December 2022 and told officials he did not intend to sell it for commercial use.

The single-family dwelling on the property had originally been zoned General Commercial for the specific use of a pet shop and kennel for racing, breeding and sales of small animals.

Both of the above zoning amendment requests will not become effective unless approved by the BOCC at its June meeting. This is because the Planning Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the BOCC.

The Planning Commission also continued until its own June 6 meeting three requests for zoning amendments. They were for:

The zoning of approximately 3.22 acres on the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Ryals Road to be changed from an A-R Agricultural-Residential District to a C-2 General Commercial District. Thomas Lee and Kimberly Anne Samone asked for the zoning change on the property in County Commission District 1 in Southeast Pasco County.
The zoning of approximately 29.5 acres of property on the east side of Old Lakeland Highway slightly east and north of U.S. Highway 98 to be changed from an A-C Agricultural Zoning District to a MPUD Master Planned Unit Development District
Crossways MPUD – Crossways 301 LLC is requesting the zoning change for the property in County Commission District 1. Crossways seeks to be able to develop up to 130 single-family residential units on the property. The applicant said in its request that the proposed development would consist of 130 single-family detached units and associated infrastructure.
The rezoning from C-2 General Commercial District to a MPUD Master Planned Unit Development District for approximately 14.55 acres on the northwest corner of the intersection of State Road 54 and Lake Crystal Boulevard in County Commission District 1. The applicant is SR 54 and Lake Crystal MPUD Master Planned Unit Development – Interstate Homes LLC, et al. They are seeking to develop a maximum of 300 multifamily dwelling units, 7,000 square feet of office and 7,000 square feet of retail or 160,000 square feet of commercial on the property.

Published May 22, 2024

Rep. Gus Bilirakis named Democracy Award finalist

May 21, 2024 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) announced Rep. Gus Bilirakis as a finalist for a Democracy Award, CMF’s annual awards recognizing non-legislative achievement and performance in congressional offices. Bilirakis was selected as a finalist in two categories: Constituent Service, and Constituent Accountability and Accessibility, according to a news release.

Rep. Gus Bilirakis

“As a Democracy Award finalist in two categories, the Rep. Bilirakis office is clearly one of the best in Congress,” said Bradford Fitch, CMF president and CEO, in a news release.

“This designation demonstrates that Rep. Bilirakis has made a significant commitment to being the best public servant for his constituents. Rep. Bilirakis and his staff are to be congratulated for not only being a model for his colleagues in Congress, but for helping to restore trust and faith that our democratic institutions can work,” said Fitch.

Fifteen House and Senate offices were honored as finalists for excellence in public service in four categories: Constituent Service; Constituent Accountability and Accessibility; Innovation and Modernization; and “Life in Congress” Workplace Environment.

Finalists and winners will be honored at a ceremony in Washington D.C., in September.

For more about the awards, visit CongressFoundation.org/democracy-awards.

Published May 22, 2024

Build your own window feeder for summer bird watching

May 21, 2024 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

There are very few things more relaxing than the amazing sight and sound of birds. A 2022 study even uncovered profound mental health benefits to birdwatching, including stress relief. But how do you go about bringing some of this outdoor zen to your kitchen or living room? The answer is simple: a DIY window bird feeder.

“With a window bird feeder, you’ll create a fascinating view of feathered friends going about their daily routines, great educational opportunities, family bonding moments and even a little fun for your indoor pets,” says Jamie Briggs, director of marketing at Exmark, a leading manufacturer of lawn care equipment.

Below are the tools, materials and basic instructions for this “Done-in-a-Weekend-Project” from Exmark:

Drill
Jigsaw
Miter saw
Speed square
Brad nailer
Sand paper
Tape measure
Wood glue
Pencil
Paint or pre-conditioner and stain
Ear and eye protection
Dust mask
1-1 1/2-inch brad nails
(4) suction cups
Landscape fabric (optional)
(1) 1-inch x 8-inch x 3-foot pine board
(2) 1-inch x 4-inch x 3-foot pine boards
(1) 1-inch x 2-inch x 3-foot pine board

Build Steps

Cut boards to length, according to the cut list (downloadable on the Exmark site).
Measure the angles to form the roof peak.
Trace a window shape in board A and use a jigsaw to cut out the window hole.
Secure the tray using brad nails. Use wood glue along the seams.
Attach the roof boards using nails and glue.
Drill holes that match the diameter and depth of the suction cups. Fill them with glue and insert the suction cups.
Sand the feeder’s edges.
Apply paint or preconditioner and stain of your choice. Finish off with a sealer.
Line the interior of the tray with landscape fabric.

To view the video tutorial and download the full build plans, visit Exmark’s Backyard Life site at Backyard.exmark.com, a multimedia destination that provides homeowners with everything from grilling tips and design projects to gardening and lawn care advice.

“Now all there’s left to do is pick out the perfect window, hang your new DIY bird feeder, and enjoy all the sights and sounds our avian friends have to offer,” says Briggs.

-StatePoint

Published May 22, 2024

How athletes can keep feet and ankles in tip-top shape this summer

May 21, 2024 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

With the weather warming, the time is ripe to lace up your trainers and hit the asphalt. But summer fun and chores alike come with potential hazards to feet — and the last thing you want is to be sidelined from sports with a nagging foot issue. According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, here’s how to protect feet and ankles from the most common seasonal hazards:

Be DIY safe
DIY projects like power washing, roofing and decking require ramped up safety measures. Always wear closed-toe shoes with traction to prevent injuries, splinters, puncture wounds and falls. Mowing can be particularly hazardous. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates more than 37,000 Americans suffer a power mower-related injury annually.

“Lawn mower blades whirl at 3,000 revolutions per minute. Yet we see patients who’ve been hurt operating a mower barefoot,” said Matthew Dairman, DPM, FACFAS, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and a fellow member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). “Foot injuries range from dirty, infection-prone lacerations to severed tendons to amputated toes. People need to take lawn mowing safety seriously because the injuries can, indeed, be very serious.”

To avoid becoming a statistic, follow these guidelines:

Don’t mow a wet lawn. Losing control from slipping on rain-soaked grass is the leading cause of foot injuries caused by power mowers.
Wear heavy shoes or work boots — no sneakers or sandals.
Never pull a running mower backward.
Keep the clip bag attached during operation to prevent projectile injuries.
Use a mower with a release mechanism that automatically shuts it off when hands let go.
Always keep children away during mowing.
If an accident occurs, even a minor one, consult a foot and ankle surgeon right away.

Wear sunscreen
Many people skip their feet when applying sunscreen, but did you know that the skin on your feet is highly susceptible to melanoma? In fact, it’s the most diagnosed and fatal site of this form of skin cancer. Other types of skin cancer can also be found on the foot, including squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma. To keep your feet safe this summer:

Lather up with sunscreen from head to toe, literally.
Check your feet and toes regularly for abnormal looking moles or freckles, even under toenails and on your soles. Promptly schedule an appointment with your foot and ankle surgeon to have suspicious marks examined.
Schedule routine exams so your foot and ankle surgeon can track suspicious, changing marks. Early detection is key.

Limit flimsy footwear
While it’s nice to let feet breathe in flip-flops and they’re a great choice for locker rooms and pools to avoid fungus and athlete’s foot, they shouldn’t be your main footwear of choice all summer. Flip-flops lack arch support and stability, so wearing them too often can cause stress on the plantar fascia — the band of tissue extending from the heel to the base of the toes. This can result in plantar fasciitis, causing heel pain upon getting up in the morning and after inactivity. To avoid developing issues, which can take a long time to treat and subside, consider wearing structured sandals with proper shock absorption and arch support. If you can’t live without flip flops, wear them sparingly to keep your feet in good shape. And if you’ll be traveling, pack tennis shoes for sightseeing, hikes and other weight-bearing activities.

Be mindful of diabetes
People living with diabetes should never go barefoot, because their nervous system may not “feel” an injury and their circulatory system will struggle to heal breaks in the skin.

“Most patients living with diabetes know they shouldn’t walk barefoot but can be more inclined to disregard this precaution in summer. However third-degree burns on the soles of feet can occur in a matter of minutes,” says Dairman.

This summer, be smart. Take care of your feet so they take care of you. If you suffer a foot and ankle injury this summer, visit FootHealthFacts.org for valuable foot and ankle health information and to find a physician near you.

-StatePoint

Published May 22, 2024