Summer Safety Tips for the Whole Family
June is National Safety Month, and it is a great time to remind people of all ages about how to stay safe especially in the outdoors where there are so many dangers. Many people often underestimate the power of the sun and the heat. Here are a few ways to stay safe from the top four summertime dangers while still enjoying the beautiful weather with the family.
Stay Safe from the Sun
The sun is incredibly powerful, but it can be dangerous when individuals do not protect themselves from its strong rays. In fact, just one sunburn that leads to blisters as a child can double an individual’s chances of developing melanoma in adulthood.
Sunscreen should be applied across the body every day and should protect against UVA and UVB rays. In addition, sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes before going outdoors and should be reapplied at least every two hours or more frequently when individuals are in the water.
Stay Safe in the Heat
Not only can the sun burn the skin, but also it can be incredibly dehydrating. Just a half hour in the sun during very hot weather can lead to dehydration. Water should always be available, and individuals should re-hydrate with non-caffeinated drinks every 20 minutes when outside. Young children and senior citizens are at particular risk in hot weather and should stay in air-conditioned spaces if possible on hot or humid days, particularly during the afternoon, which is usually the most dangerously hot part of the day.
Stay Safe in the Water
Drowning deaths happen every year in oceans and even in backyard swimming pools. Parents should install fences around their in-ground pools or use pool alarms to keep the littlest members of their households safe. In addition, children should never be alone when swimming but should always swim with a parent or lifeguard present.
Very young swimmers should always wear life jackets approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Parents must also beware of secondary drowning, which is a life-threatening condition that can occur following a near-drowning.
Stay Safe around Bugs and Bees
Staying away from clothing and scents that can attract flying insects can be huge in keeping them from stinging. Solid-colored clothing can stop bees and wasps from approaching. Those who are planning to be outside during the day should use unscented shampoos and soaps and refrain from applying perfume. If a bee or wasp does sting, the stinger can be removed using a scraping motion with a credit card.
Also, choose insect repellents with 10 to 30 percent concentrations of DEET for everyone older than two months. However, it should never be applied on the face of the hands.
Of course, there are many other dangers that can be found in the outdoors during the summer:
- Broken bones and sprains from bicycling and skateboarding
- Burns from fireworks
- Bruises from playground falls
- Accidents with boats, water tubes and lawn mowers
By keeping a vigilant eye over all members of the family will ensure that everyone stays properly hydrated and protected from the sun. It is important to recognize when professional help is necessary so that any injuries or conditions can be promptly and correctly resolved.
Summer Safety Tips For the Whole Family in Portland OR and Vancouver WA
Seeing Patients in the following Portland and Vancouver areas:
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