Summer Safety

It's summertime! School is out for the year, the weather is warm, and hopefully the sun is shining. Moods seem to be lighter as people anticipate weekend getaways to the lake, lazy days spent on the beach, and the scent of your neighbor's BBQ grill. With so much to look forward to, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of what to do next, with little thought toward safety.

Despite the carefree days that come along with this season, summer is the time of year that people are most likely to be injured (CPSC, 2005). This isn't to say that we have to forget fun in the name of safety during the summer months. Instead, we just have to be a bit smarter and use a little more common sense. This will help to ensure that we avoid careless injuries and accidents and get home happy, healthy, and safe at the end of the day.

To avoid becoming a summer statistic, here are some safety tips from the Red Cross (2005) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, 2005) to get you started:

Sun Safety: (American Rd Cross, 2005)

• Dress appropriately for the weather. Wearing clothing that is lightweight and light-colored will help keep you cool. It's also a good idea to use a hat or an umbrella to protect your skin from overexposure.
• Wear sunscreen. Use sunscreen of at least 15 SPF is best for maximum skin protection (and a minimum of 30 SPF for children)!
• Stay hydrated. Carry water with you and make sure to keep fluids in you even if you don't feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate the body.
• Take it easy. Try to avoid too much strenuous activity, or plan to do it during the coolest part of the day. Make sure to take regular breaks in a cool place. And, be aware of the signs of a heat-related illness (see below).

SIGNS OF A HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS:
Early Stages

Muscle cramps

Next, more serious stage (often called heat exhaustion):

Cool, moist, pale skin

Headache

Dizziness and/or weakness

Exhaustion

Nausea

Late stage (often called heat stroke):

Vomiting

Decreased alertness or loss of consciousness

High body temperature

Rapid, weak pulse

Rapid, shallow breathing

The late stage of heat-related illness is life threatening. Call 911 immediately if you think you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms as a result of a heat-related illness.

Water Safety:

• Learn to swim! Take a class at your local YMCA or community pool.
• Never swim alone; always swim with a companion.
• Swim in supervised areas only.
• Obey all rules and posted signs.
• Don't mix alcohol and swimming. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.
• Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
• Never - not even for a moment - leave children alone in or near the water - even for a moment.
• Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for adult supervision. They will not protect children from drowning and may give them a false sense of security.

Boating Safety:

• Be weather-wise. Sudden shifts, thunder and lightning, and choppy water all mean a storm is brewing. Bring a portable radio to check weather reports.
• Bring any extra gear that you may need: flashlight, extra batteries, matches, a map, flares, sun-tan lotion, first aid kit, extra sunglasses. Put those things that need to be protected in a watertight pouch or a container that floats.
• Tell someone where you're going, who is with you, and how long you'll be away.
• Check your boat, equipment, boat balance, engine, and fuel supply before leaving the dock.

Bug Safety:

• Don't use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays as they attract unwanted insects.
• Avoid areas where insects nest or gather, such as pools of water, uncovered foods, and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
• Avoid dressing yourself or your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
• To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.
• Use insect repellants containing DEET for maximum effectiveness.

Lawn Mower Safety: (Flynn, 2005)

• Never keep gasoline inside the home. Store it in approved containers in a building not attached to the house.
• Never fuel a lawn mower while it is hot.
• Clear the lawn of objects such as toys, stones, or large sticks before you begin mowing.
• Wear sturdy shoes - not sandals - while mowing.
• Keep children at a safe distance from the mower and don't allow them to ride as a passenger.
• Keep hands and feet away from the mower while it is running.
• Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel paths, roads, or other areas.

Grilling Safety: (Flynn, 2005)

• Use barbeque grills in areas away from the house.
• Supervise children whenever a grill is in use.
• Never use gasoline on any grill!
• When using a gas grill – make sure all connections are tight and secure.
• Keep all propane (LP) gas outside, three feet away from building openings such as doors, windows, dryer vents, and air intake vents.
• Use only charcoal lighter fluid to start charcoal grills.
• Once the coals have been lighted, never add more lighter fluid to the fire - – flames may travel up the stream of lighter fluid and result in serious burns.

Firework Safety: (CPSC, 2005)

• Never allow children to play with, or ignite, fireworks.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
• Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Keep a bucket of water in case of a malfunction or fire.

We are all probably guilty of breaking one or two of these rules in our days – but now that you have become more aware of some potential summer dangers, you can take steps to avoid them. Keeping all these tips in mind – it is important to remember to still have fun! Summer is a great time for sharing time with family, friends, and the outdoors. Be good to yourself and others, and this season will continue to remain a favorite time for all!

References:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2005). Summer Safety Tips – Part 1. Retrieved June 21, 2005 from the World Wide Web: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/summertips.htm

American Red Cross. (2005). Health and Safety Tips. Retrieved June 21, 2005 from the World Wide Web: http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/heat.html

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). (2005). Firework Safety Tips. Retrieved June 24, 2005 from the World Wide Web: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/july4/safetip.html

Flynn, E. (2005). Summer Safety Tips. The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal. Retrieved June 21 from the World Wide Web: www.mass.gov/dfs

This material is provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health, Inc. for informational/educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical/clinical advice. Only a healthcare provider can make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment plan. For more information about your behavioral health benefits, you can call the member services or behavioral health telephone number listed on your healthcare identification card.