Summertime Safety
Fireworks, swimming and fun in the sun are all great parts of summer vacation. However, many of these activities also have the potential for disaster. Learn how to prevent danger with these six steps:
Beat back bugs. Avoid the diseases caused by ticks, mosquitoes and other insects by wearing bug spray. Dress in protective clothing, and always check for ticks after spending time outside.
Protect the head. Whether your family likes to rollerblade, bicycle or ride scooters, helmets are vital. Make sure helmets fit properly and are designed for the activity.
Monitor the water. Never leave children unsupervised near water for any amount of time. Teach kids to behave safely around the pool, with rules such as no roughhousing or running, and enroll them in swim classes if they do not know how to swim.
Be safe in the sun. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 to exposed skin every two hours when outdoors — even if it’s a cloudy day.
Poison prevention. Wear long sleeves and pants if you are in a woody area to avoid the rash caused by poison ivy, oak or sumac. Teach kids to recognize the leaves of these plants if they spend time in the woods.
Beat the heat. By the time you feel thirsty, you may already be dehydrated. Drink water throughout the day, particularly before, during and after physical activity.
Cuts, scrapes and bruises can all be healed with a bandage, a hug and some time. However, when your loved one has a critical injury, more serious medical help is needed.
Call poison control immediately if someone swallows poison or another person’s medication. In general, call 911 if a person is:
- bleeding uncontrollably
- burned seriously or burned on the hands, feet, groin, chest or face
- experiencing severe, persistent pain
- having a seizure
- nonresponsive or unconscious
- not breathing or having trouble breathing
- vomiting or confused after a head injury
Do not move an injured person (especially if he or she is unconscious) unless absolutely necessary. If he or she is bleeding, place pressure on the wound.
Worried about being unprepared for an emergency this summer? Take a first aid class or talk with your child’s doctor about safety steps you can take.
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