Summer Safety Suggestions – Part 2

Summer Safety Suggestions – Part 2

Thanks for checking out Part 1 of our summer safety suggestions blog series. Here are some more tips on how to have a great summer without incident:

Sun Protection

The US sees about 600 heat-related deaths each year. Strokes, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other heat-related issues are a concern for many, but they most often affect those under the age of 4 and over the age of 65. It’s important to stay hydrated and cool and to pay attention to any heat advisories in the area. You will also want to apply sun protection to avoid harmful sunburns. The sun’s rays are at their highest levels between the hours of 10am and 4pm, which means you’ll want to be the most cautious during those times. Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and lightweight long sleeves are good options to combat the sweltering sun.

Swimming Safety

It probably comes as no surprise that swimming is one of the most popular activities throughout the summer. Swimming lessons are important for kids (and adults that never learned) and at the very least, everyone should learn how to tread water and keep afloat for survival in case of an emergency. Drowning is a silent killer—nothing like in the movies. Stay alert while at the pool or on the lake, don’t mix alcohol with swimming, and wear a life jacket while on a boat (this is required for kids 12 and under, and it’s required for everyone on the boat to have a jacket accessible). In addition to drowning, consideration needs to be taken to prevent chemical injuries from chlorine or other pool-cleaning chemicals. If you own a pool, do some research on the proper usage of the size of pool you have. You can also research public pools’ methods to ensure you’re not entering into an unsafe situation.

Traveling Safely Abroad

Summer is a high travel time, and you want to have a great vacation. Ensure you have the best time by doing a little research first. Get the vaccines that you need in the right amount of time (most places require about 4 to 6 weeks prior to travel) and check for safety risks at your destination. Drinking water, environmental factors, and animal illnesses may be very different from what you’ve been exposed to, which can make you sick. Even pollens and grasses from other locations can affect your allergies, which is something many of us don’t consider before flying away from home. Do some research, go prepared, and stay alert to prevent struggles while on vacation.

Safety at a Summer Job or Camps

Many younger kids take on a summer job or go to camps during their school break. Job-related injuries are common in youth between 15 and 24 years old from summer hazards usually stemming from exhaustion or working too long in conditions that are too hot. Young workers need to be careful during their summer camps or outside summer jobs to keep them active and safe, and adults need to pay attention to warning signs of over exertion.

Stay safe this summer with a few proactive steps and enjoy the great outdoors!

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