Summer is the time to be outdoors enjoying the weather, BBQ’ing on the grill and chilling by the pool. However, summer can also be a time when injuries are commonplace. To be safe during the summertime here are a few of the most common ways that you are your family can get hurt.
One of the most common causes of death and injury to kids is drowning. Whether it is at the pool or on the beach, everyone should be vigilant in their safety. At the beach, especially during the summer months’ rip tides can easy carry an unsuspecting swimmer out to sea and cause a panic situation. Knowing to swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the rip current can save your life. At the pool, put barriers up to keep kids from wandering in while the pool is unattended. When on watercraft, make sure everyone has a personal floatation device (PFD) and is wearing it properly.
Summer is hot and there are a lot of heat related injuries can occur. Heat stresses the body and can cause serious medical issues or even death. Athletes, the elderly and kids are especially vulnerable to heat induced problems. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated; do not over exert yourself.
The increased outdoor activity also leads to an increase in broken bones and muscle sprains. When using bikes, skateboards or motorized vehicle (ATV’s, Jetskis, etc.) wear the proper protective gear including a helmet.
Poisoning also increases sharply during the summer months. Whether food related from the potato salad left too long on the picnic table to reactions to insect repellent such as DEET, the hot weather can increase your risk of ingesting a poisonous substance. Be careful applying insect repellant to children, older folks, and those with compromised immune systems.
Enjoying the outdoors means sharing the environment with bugs and other critters. While bites from larger animals are infrequent, they do occur and can be serious. Bites from raccoons, squirrels, and opossums should always be viewed as being a potential rabies infection. Snake bites seldom result in death, but can be very painful if bitten by one of the poisonous three: rattlesnakes, coral snakes and mosaccins. Beach-goers are not immune from bites from stingrays and jellyfish. The frequency of shark bites are often grossly over-exaggerated by the media but can occur.
To enjoy the summer, just keep your self-awareness on alert for yourself, your family and those around you.