Summer Safety Tips

The National Safety Council has designated June as National Safety Month, an annual event aimed at increasing public awareness of the dangers Americans face each day on the highways, in homes, and in the workplace. The long days of summer bring endless hours of sun and fun. Yet it's also an opportunity for injuries. This month offers many of us the first opportunity to take advantage of the open air, whether it is relaxing on the beach, camping in the wilderness, or grilling in the backyard. We want to keep you safe this summer! For more information, please call the Wellness Center at 301-759-9355, extension 3006, or 1-800-224-8688. You can also visit the following web sites for more Summer Safety information:

http://www.safekids.org/tips/tips.html
http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/sumsafety/
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/summertips.htm
http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/safety/safetip.htm

Here are some safety tips that will keep your summer a safe one. Please click on any of the following topics:

Sun Safety
Lightning
Water Safety
Camping/Travel
Fireworks
Biking/Rollerblading
Bites, Burns, and Breathing Easy
Grilling
Lawnmowers
Food Poisoning

Sun Safety

Fact: Those most at risk for heat illness are young children and the elderly.

Safety Tips:

• Be alert for symptoms of heat illness- physical and mental changes, lack of energy, mild discomfort, lack of appetite, fainting, dizziness, headache, nausea, rapid pulse, flushed skin, and body temperature of 104 degrees
• If suffering from heat illness, rest in a cool area and sip cool, non-alcoholic drinks
• To avoid losing salt and water when sitting or sunbathing, replenish with fluids often and avoid beverages with alcohol or caffeine. Keep the skin moist and cool
• Wear loose fitting clothing, a hat, and a waterproof sunscreen- sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher
• Sunscreen should not be applied to babies under 6 months of age
• Sun exposure damages the eyes as well as the skin- wear sunglasses that absorb at least 99% of UV rays
• Avoid sun exposure between 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m.
• The sun's reflection as well as direct rays can burn- a baby under an umbrella or in the shade isn't 100% protected
• Wear a hat with a brim
• Avoid recreational tanning
• Never leave your dog unattended in direct sunlight or in a closed vehicle. Heatstroke can occur and lead to brain damage and death. Signs include panting, drooling, rapid pulse and fever. Immediately immerse the dog in cool water and seek emergency veterinary assistance

Lightning

Fact: Lightning strikes are fatal less than a third of the time.

Safety Tips:
In a storm:

• Do not go near the water
• Don't lie down on wet ground
• Don't go near tall or metal objects, such as flagpoles, fences, and trees
• If inside, stay away from electrical appliances and don't use the telephone, as they are good conductors of electricity
• Don't watch storms from an open window or door, and avoid the fireplace as it is often a lightning target
• The safest place to be is a steel-framed building or an enclosed automobile

Water Safety

Fact: Swimming is the third leading cause of accidental death in the U.S.

Safety Tips:

• Always enter the water feet first to avoid diving accidents
• If the water temperature is less than 50 degrees, you may not be able to swim at all after 15-20 minutes
• Avoid swimming past your ability or in rough water
• Never swim alone or leave young children unattended
• Wear life jackets during recreational boating or at dockside by small children
• Make sure the pool or lake is deep enough before diving into the water
• Do not consume alcoholic beverages when swimming or boating
• Be cautious of strong currents when swimming in the ocean
• Fence all home pools
• Learn CPR
• Get out of the water immediately if you hear thunder or see lightning
• Pool chemicals can spontaneously combust if contaminated by organic materials (such as body fluids, acid rain, etc.) or hydrocarbon liquids such as fuel or motor oil. This type of fire will result in toxic fumes that are extremely dangerous. Store chemicals outside home according to directions

Camping/Travel

Fact: Camping and hiking may bring you closer to the outdoors, but with it may come the hazards of nature.

Safety Tips:

• Pack a first aid kit for minor problems
• Be cautious when exploring, chopping wood, or building fires
• Dress appropriately for the weather
• Pitch tent away from the campfire
• Only use flashlights or battery powered lanterns inside the tent
• Build your campfire downwind, away from your tent, clearing away all dry vegetation and digging a pit surrounded by rocks
• Pour water over or cover the fire with dirt before going to bed or leaving the campsite
• Strap children in a properly fitting seat belt, car seat or booster seat when traveling

Fireworks

Fact: Over half of the fireworks injuries occur during the 4th of July week.

Safety Tips:

• The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to leave it to the professionals
• Leave any area where amateurs are using fireworks
• Do not pick up or touch found fireworks

Biking/Rollerblading

Fact: In more than 50% of collisions with cars, the car driver claimed that he/she could not see the cyclist.

Safety Tips:

• Make sure your child's bike is the right size- use coaster brakes for small children
• A properly fitted bike helmet is essential
• Ride during the day
• Drive on the right with traffic and stop at intersections
• Stop, look, and listen before riding out into traffic from driveway, sidewalk, alley, or parking lot. Look left, right, and left again. Look back and yield to traffic coming from behind before turning left at intersections
• Use proper hand signals for turning or stopping
• Watch out for opening doors
• Skate and bike with a friend
• Don't skate down steep hills or in drainage ditches
• Wear safety equipment when rollerblading

Bites, Burns, & Breathing Easy

Fact: Allergic reactions to beestings afflict fewer than 5% of those who are stung.

Safety Tips:

• Human and animal bites often become infected or transmit illnesses such as rabies. Medical evaluation is necessary for thorough cleansing and treatment, and a tetanus shot may be required if you have not had one within 5 years
• Insect bites or stings that cause severe swelling at the site of the bite, a generalized rash or any swelling of the face or difficulty breathing, require immediate medical evaluation. Remove the stinger from the bee or wasp stings by scraping (the edge of a credit card works well). Don't use tweezers or fingernails
• Minimize the risk of bee and insect stings by having children wear shoes and light colored clothing. Use insect repellent sparingly on older children and never on infants. Avoid wearing perfumes and lotions
• Keep sugary foods and trash cans away from outside play and eating areas
• Minor swelling and itching from stings can be treated with cool compresses, over the counter oral antihistamines or hydrocortisone creams
• Seek immediate medical attention for a burn if there is significant blistering or charring or if the burn involves the palms, soles, face or groin area or a large area of skin
• Minor burns are treated with cool compresses. After cleansing, a mild antibiotic ointment and bandage may be applied. Do not break blisters
• Sunburns with extensive blistering or general symptoms of nausea, vomiting, weakness or chills, are more serious and need physician evaluation
• Try to avoid the outdoors on windy days or when you begin to notice allergy symptoms
• If allergies are acting up, do not cut the grass or be near someone mowing his or her lawn and avoid high pollen exposure times at dawn and dusk
• Use air conditioners at home; close windows when you drive; and don't hang laundry out to dry as pollen and molds collect on sheets and clothes

Grilling

Fact: Grilling is a potential health hazard if it is not done correctly.

Safety Tips:

• Keep grill away from anything that can burn- your home, car, dry vegetation, etc.
• Stay with the grill when lit and keep children and pets well away from the area
• Protect yourself by wearing a heavy apron and an oven mit
• Never use a grill inside your home- this is a fire hazard and may cause carbon monoxide poisoning
• For charcoal grills, only use starter fluids designed for barbecue grills (never gasoline). Don't add liquid fuel to re-ignite or build up a fire
• Soak the coals with water before you discard them
• Check gas grill connections for leaks by using a soap and water mix that will show bubbles if gas escapes

Lawnmowers

Fact: The revolving blade can throw objects at over 200 miles per hour.

Safety Tips:

• Keep everyone away when mowing the lawn- rocks, sticks, metal and other objects on the ground shoot from the mower like a bullet
• Never allow a child to ride on the mower with you
• Wear long pants, hard shoes, safety glasses, and earplugs while mowing
• Pick up sticks, rocks, toys, and trash in the area to be mowed
• Store just enough gasoline to power your lawn care equipment. Keep it outside the home in a clearly marked can approved for gasoline storage
• Cool a hot mower for 10 minutes before refueling
• Wait until the grass is dry before mowing. With push mowers, mow across the slope, never up and down. With riding mowers, mow up and down the slopes, not across them
• Slopes too steep for either mower should be trimmed by hand or planted with a low maintenance ground cover
• Take extra care when turning, and look behind you before backing up with a riding mower
• Avoid pulling a push mower backward- you risk having your feet slip under the mower deck

Food Poisoning

Fact: Over 10,000 people die each year from food poisoning.

Safety Tips:

• Wash your hands before handling food, after handling raw foods, and always after using the toilet
• Cover cuts and sores with waterproof dressings. Do not cough or sneeze over food. Keep hands away from your face and hair
• Do not cook if you have bowel, nose and throat or skin problems.
• Do not smoke while handling food. Wash hands after a smoke break and before handling food again
• Wear clean outerwear and keep your person clean. Keep fingernails short, jewelry to a minimum and long hair tied back
• Keep food either piping hot or refrigerator cold. Keep food covered and free from contamination
• Clean as you go. Wipe up spills immediately. Keep utensils and surfaces clean and sanitized.
• Take care not to contaminate other foods with raw foods
• Whenever possible use tongs, spoons, etc. to handle food
• Dispose of waste food tidily. Keep garbage bins covered
• Do not permit animals to enter kitchen or storage areas
• Keep your refrigerator set at 40 F or below and your freezer at 0 F
• Foods implicated in food poisoning:
• If in doubt, throw it out!! You can't taste or smell the bacteria that causes food poisoning.