Ahh, sweet summertime! Temperatures get hotter, days get longer, drinks get colder, and life gets a little better. The hotter season also dishes out a few more risks like drowning, heat strokes, and sunburn. The good news is that summer illnesses and injuries are usually preventable.
Check out these tips for staying safe and happy this summer:
Water safety. One of the best ways to cool off during the hot summer months is to jump into a pool or take a dip in the ocean. To avoid the potential for drownings, enroll your child in swim lessons, and make sure they learn the five water survival skills: (1) Step or jump into water over your head and return to the surface. (2) Float or tread water for one minute. (3) Turn around in a full circle and find an exit from the water. (4) Swim 25 yards to the exit. (5) Exit from the water. If in a pool, be able to exit without using the ladder.
For children who don’t yet know how to swim, insist they wear fitted floatation devices. Also, put down your phone or book; make sure children in and/or near water are always supervised. If you have a swimming pool at your home, install a four-sided isolation pool fence. Home pools should have at least a four-foot-high enclosure fence and a self-latching gate. Finally, learn CPR. If a child takes in water, minutes count, and resuscitation should be started immediately.
For children who don’t yet know how to swim, insist they wear fitted flotation devices.
Dehydration & heat stroke. Dehydration can be a serious heat-related disease that happens with a combination of overexposure to the sun and not drinking enough water. Our bodies make a tremendous amount of internal heat, and we normally cool ourselves by sweating and radiating heat through the skin. In extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous activity in the hot sun, this cooling system may begin to fail. If a person becomes dehydrated and cannot sweat enough to cool his or her body, his or her internal temperature may rise to dangerously high levels causing heat stroke. To avoid heat-related illnesses, drink plenty of fluids, especially when working or playing in the sun. Make sure you are taking in more fluid than you are losing. Try to schedule physical outdoor activities for the cooler parts of the day, like early in the morning or in the evening.
Sunburn. Almost everyone has had their skin scorched at least once in their lifetime. Sunburns are painful, uncomfortable and can increase your risk of skin cancer. Wear sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protective factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Remember to reapply it as needed and when you get out of the water. Cover up with clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to protect exposed skin. Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic fluids. Seek shade. When possible, avoid outdoor activities during midday, when the sun’s rays are strongest.
Wear sunscreen and lip balm with a spf protective factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Remember to reapply it as needed and when you get out of the water, cover up with clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to protect exposed skin.
Bug and snake bites. Sorry bugs, but no one wants you at their summer shindigs. To avoid these pesky creatures, use insect repellent and citronella candles. Skip the shorts and tanks, and cover up with lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants. Install or repair window and door screens on your house. Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by dumping any sitting water around your property.
While many snakes are innocent, venomous snakes include copperheads, coral snakes, cottonmouths/water moccasins, and rattlesnakes. Familiarize yourself with the types of snakes here in the Lowcountry. If you see a snake, move at least six feet away and do not touch or harass the snake. Be cautious of where snakes may hide; some, like copperheads, frequently hide under leaves and are difficult to see due to camouflage.
Summer feet. It’s sandal season. Whether you are biking, walking, or hiking, your feet will be carrying you through however you spend your time outside. Limit walking barefoot. It exposes feet to sunburn, plantar warts, athlete’s foot, ringworm and other infections. Going barefoot also increases risk of injury and raises the risk of picking up foreign bodies like glass or splinters. Wear shoes or flip-flops to prevent injuries and limit the likelihood of contracting any bacterial infections. To keep your feet from swelling due to heat, stay hydrated.
Food poisoning. Food-borne illnesses peak in the summer months since hot temps and humid conditions provide the optimum breeding ground for bacteria to multiply rapidly. Be especially wary of food that’s been sitting out in the sun all day, and wash your hands properly before eating. Make sure to pack plenty of extra ice or freezer packs in your cooler to ensure a constant cold temperature.
Firework injuries. A summer isn’t complete without some sort of July Fourth fireworks celebration. It’s important to remember that fireworks can be dangerous, and it’s best to leave the displays to trained professionals. Never allow kids to play with or ignite fireworks. Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks, and have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water nearby in case of a fire.
Cheers to a safe and happy summer season!
