As we dive into our favorite summer activities – swimming, travel, day trips with the kids – it’s a relief to know that there are things we can do to reduce risks while we’re having fun in the sun and surf.

These products invented in Israel help us all play it safe in hot weather.

Lishtot TestDrop Pro: Water-quality lab in your palm

Named one of TIME Magazine’s 2018 Genius Companies, Lishtot answers the worrying vacation question: “Is this water safe to drink?” Because if it’s not, one sip could ruin your whole trip.

Lishtot (Hebrew for “to drink”) developed its reusable little gadget, TestDrop Pro, in the knowledge that tap water (and also much of the bottled water) in many countries is contaminated with viruses, bacteria, parasites, and/or harmful chemicals just waiting to inflict a case of travelers’ diarrhea.

Put TestDrop Pro on your keychain and you have an instant water-testing lab wherever you roam. Without ever touching the water – whether in a cup or sealed bottle – the $49.95 sensor device takes just two seconds to signal if the water is safe to drink (blue light) or not (red light).

Coral Manta 3000: Drowning prevention

According to the US Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the top cause of unintentional death for children under age 4.

Israeli startup Coral Detection Systems of Binyamina is making waves for developing what it claims is the first and only drowning detection system for residential pools based on artificial intelligence and underwater computer vision.

Coral Manta 3000 is a self-installed plug-and-play system that sends smartphone notifications when anyone first enters the pool or in cases of potential drowning. If the system detects an unmoving body underwater for 15 seconds, it also sounds an alarm to an on-site monitor to allow for immediate response.

The system is solar powered but also works at night and can be set up and controlled by smartphone. Cost is about $2,000; see website for details.

eClip: Never forget baby or pet in a hot car

Every summer comes along with horrific instances of young children dying of heatstroke after accidentally being left in cars. According to the safety organization Kids and Cars, an average of 37 children die each year in hot cars in the United States alone. Pets are also vulnerable to this avoidable tragedy.

Israeli company Elepho combats the problem with the eClip baby reminder.

Download the companion app (iOS or Android) and then attach eClip to the car seat, seat belt or diaper bag. The on/off switch is designed so a child cannot accidentally turn it off and there are no small parts that pose a choking hazard.

If you walk more than 25 feet (8 meters) away from your car while the baby is inside, the app sends you an alert. While driving, it will also warn you if the temperature in the back of the car is too hot or cold for baby’s safety. For extra peace of mind, you get an alert you when it’s time to change the battery in the $59.99 device, and it turns off automatically when not in use.

Elepho also makes the eFloat infant bathtub thermometer to ensure bathwater temp is safe for baby.

Safe Sea: Take the bite of jellyfish stings

More than 13,000 species of marine stingers – such as jellyfish and sea lice – lurk in the world’s oceans and seas, exposing some 200 million beachgoers around the globe to nasty stings every summer.

Developed by Israeli cellular biologist Amit Lotan, Safe Sea lotions protect against common marine stingers or take the bite out of a sting if you get one. Safe Sea Protective Lotions also contain sunblock (SPF 40 or SPF 50). Safe Sea After-Sting Lotion eases pain, redness and swelling on contact. Both are advertised as eco-friendly and highly water-resistant.

In 1995, Lotan and colleagues published a study in the journal Nature explaining for the first time how jellyfish poison is delivered. His related PhD research at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University was partially funded by the United Nations, which goes to prove what a big public hazard is posed by jellyfish stings.

SunWay: UV protection for your skin

A regular shirt or hat may not fully protect your skin from the harmful UV rays of the summer sun, as the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of typical fabrics is less than 15, according to the Israeli Ministry of Health.

Sunway swimwear and beachwear for men, women, children and infants is made from lightweight UV-blocking, chlorine-resistant fabric with a UPF of 50+ and they’re treated by a special process that allows for the evaporation of sweat. The protective tops, bottoms, hats and other accessories (shoes, shades, scarves, gloves) are made in Israel and ship worldwide.

Source hydration solutions: Don’t get dehydrated!

The Israeli company Source (Shoresh), now marking its 30^th anniversary, is famous for its hiking and water sandals. The company’s line of hydration products is just what you need to avoid dehydration, one of the most common summer dangers.

In 2019, Camping Maniacs chose Source’s Tactical WXP model as its No. 1 pick, citing features such as its combination of screw cap and fold-top, both of which are water-tight and leak-proof, and its patented push-and-pull suction valve.

The review notes that this model is constructed with “topnotch coextruded polyethylene, a material that is not only low maintenance but also free from chemicals and toxins,” and is easy to refill and clean. Its tube cover insulates and blocks UV light, while a Grunge-Guard antimicrobial liner prevents bio-film build-up, so water stays cool and bacteria-free without a plasticky flavor.