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| May through August is the most dangerous time of year for children, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. In a recent report, Safe Kids found nearly half of all injury-related childhood deaths occur during the summer. |
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The following recommendations can help keep you and your family safe and sound during your summer fun.
Water rules
Every year, 4,000 Americans drown, with young children having the highest death rate. Here's how to keep your family safe around water:
- Never leave children alone near water. That means at the pool or beach, or near a river, deep bucket, or bathtub.
- Teach older children to always swim with a buddy, and not to dive headfirst into an unknown body of water.
- Go to beaches with lifeguards, and ask where the safest swimming areas are.
- Teach your children about rip currents if they swim in the ocean. If they get caught in one, they need to know to swim to the side one way or the other until they can swim back to shore.
Shun the sun
One of the risk factors of skin cancer is having frequent sunburns as a child. Protect your family now and in the future:
- Limit your time outside when the sun’s rays are strongest: between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Apply sunscreen rated SPF 15 or higher every two hours.
- Wear a brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection when spending time in the sun.
Bikers beware
Many biking accidents could be prevented if riders protected themselves with the right equipment and maintained their bikes with safety in mind.
- Wear a helmet when riding a bike. According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, 85 percent of cyclists’ head injuries could have been prevented if they had been wearing helmets.
- Helmets should fit snugly and be strapped securely under the chin. In addition to cyclists, skateboarders, and in-line skaters also should wear helmets.
- Wear lightweight clothing to keep cool during the day, and wear fluorescent, brightly-colored or reflective clothing when biking, especially at night or in the evening.
- Wear pants with tight-fitting legs -- no flared or wide leg pants that can get caught in gears or spokes.
- If biking with a backpack, make sure the straps are tied up and out of the way.
- Wear sturdy shoes that can grip bike pedals. Never wear cleats, heeled shoes, or flip flops, and never bike barefoot.
- Make sure your bike is the right size for you. When you're on it, stand straddling the top bar so both feet are flat on the ground. There should be one to three inches between you and the top bar.
- Tighten the seat, handlebars and wheels, and make sure the wheels are straight.
- Check and oil your chain regularly.
- Always check your brakes before riding to make sure they're working properly and don't stick.
- Check your tires to make sure they have the right pressure.
Heat-related illnesses
Heat exhaustion can occur in hot, humid weather. Warning signs include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea, and fainting. Move to a shady area or an air-conditioned room or car. Provide plenty of cool water or decaffeinated drinks.
Heatstroke is an emergency. Warning signs include high body temperature, red skin with no sweating, rapid pulse, headache, nausea, and confusion. If your loved one has any of these signs, call for immediate medical help.
Hot Tips for Summer Workouts
Guard yourself against losing fluids by:
- Exercising at a lower intensity if it's hot. Not exercising at the hottest part of the day.
- Drinking plenty of fluids before, during and after exercising.
- Wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Know before you mow
Mowing the lawn doesn't have to be a dangerous task if some simple preventive techniques are followed.
- Make sure blades are sharp and the mower is working properly, and only inspect the mower when it's turned off.
- Before you start to mow, check the yard for rocks, sticks, toys and any other objects that could get caught in the blades.
- Wear protective gear and clothing, including long pants, sturdy shoes, gloves and safety goggles.
- Never use a lawn mower while barefoot or wearing sandals.
- Never allow someone to ride with you on a riding mower.
- Be especially careful when mowing steep hills.
Copyright © 2009 StayWell Custom Communications except where otherwise noted.
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