Tag Archives: summer safety

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How To Stay Healthy During The First Days Of Summer

Summer holiday fashion selfie concept - woman on a wooden pier aJune is National Safety Month, and summer is fast approaching! The days are getting longer, the trees are in full bloom and the sun is getting stronger. But with the change in season come different health risks. Things such as sunscreen use, exercise, hydration and allergies are all issues one must deal with during the summer months. Today, we will discuss how to stay healthy in the first days of summer.

First, let’s talk about sunscreen. We all know how important it is to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays. But did you know that having up to five sunburns before the age of 18 dramatically increases your risk for skin cancer later in life? Therefore, it is extremely important to practice safe sun. Not only does sunscreen protect us from the sun, but it also protects our skin from premature aging. One thing to keep in mind is that the ingredients in SPF breakdown over time, so always toss your sunscreen at the end of the summer and buy it new at the beginning of each season. Don’t forget to protect your head, lips and your eyes. These areas are often neglected. And be sure to reapply every couple of hours and after swimming. Choosing the right sunscreen can be difficult and there are surprisingly a lot of things you need to know. Watch for our upcoming blog post on Monday for an in-depth discussion about sunscreen.

Now that you and the kids are lathered up, let’s head outdoors! Summer time brings so many fun outdoor activities. Bike riding, swimming, rollerblading, you name it! But with these activities come risks for injury. It is important that your children always wear a helmet while riding their bike or doing tricks on their scooter. Set a good example and wear your helmet on your next family bike ride. You want to protect your head, too, and this way they don’t feel singled out. Also, get your kids swimming lessons. The sad reality of summer is a lot of children drown because they are left alone near water. Make swim lessons a priority, especially if you have a pool in your yard or vacation on a lake or at a beach. And never leave your child unsupervised by any body of water; it only takes a second for an accident to happen. If you’re going out on a boat make sure your children wear their life jacket the entire time. You can never be too safe.

Being outdoors in the heat can make you work up a sweat. Dehydration is a real concern during scorching summer days. Drink lots of water and eat foods that have high water contents such as cucumbers. Also, be sure to re-balance your electrolytes. Try adding a dash of salt to a slice of watermelon, or slip a bottle of coconut water into your beach bag. Also, stay out of the direct sun during the hottest parts of the day. If you have to be outside in the middle of the afternoon, plan on being around the water. Go to the local pool or set up a sprinkler in the yard, the kids will have a ball. Remember, if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated!

All of this outdoor activity can wreak havoc on your allergies. Common summertime allergies are pollen, mold and bee stings. First and foremost, you should keep an EpiPen on you at all times, especially if you or a member of your family has severe allergies. Also, keep antihistamines on hand; they will help to calm an allergic reaction. If your symptoms persist, schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Summertime brings fun but it also can bring forward dangerous situations. Keep these points in mind to keep yourself and your family safe all summer long.

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How to Avoid a Barbecue Accident?

Summer Backyard Bbq Grill Party SceneAre you enjoying your Labor Day weekend? Perhaps barbecuing with your friends and family? This is the last long weekend of summer. I hope that you are having fun.

Did you know that each year hundreds of people end up in the emergency room from barbecuing accidents? Burns and carbon monoxide poisoning are some of the common injuries. Take precautions to avoid these common injuries.

Here are some tips for avoiding barbecuing injuries:

  1. Never use a charcoal grill inside your home, your vehicle, tents or campers even if you have ventilation.
  2. Never use gasoline to start your grill – it can explode.
  3. Immediately after using starter fluid, put the cap on it and store it far away from the grill.
  4. If you dump your coal while it’s still hot, make sure everyone, including children, stays far away from the hot coals.
  5. Most accidents with gas grills happen close to the time when the gas tank has just been refilled.  Make sure the gas tank is properly connected and there are no leaks.
  6. Never start a gas grill when the lid is closed
  7. Never keep a filled gas tank in a hot car or a trunk.
  8. Don’t use regular forks and knifes to cook on the grill. Make sure you are using long handled utensils to avoid burns.

Remember grilling can be fun but it’s also dangerous. Make sure only adults are doing the grilling.

Have you ever had a barbecuing accident? What tips do you have? I’d love to hear from you!

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How to Avoid Summer Injuries

lawnmowerDid you know that emergency room visits jump 20 percent every summer? Almost half of the unintentional deaths from children under the age of 14 occur during the 3 months of summer. As a single mom that worked full-time, I was always worried about keeping my girls safe while they had time off in the summer months.  

Here are some of the common summer injuries and how you can prevent them:

  1. Children often fall out of windows during the summer months. Screens are meant to pop out for fire safety and are not meant to keep children inside. Always supervise your children around windows and keep windows closed upstairs.
  2. People often get burned in the summer months from fire pits that burn very hot. Make sure everyone treats the fire pit like any camp fire. Remember the fire pit remains hot long after the fire is out.
  3. Lawn mowers often cause a variety of injuries in the summer. Make sure to wear tight-fitting shoes and do not operate the lawn mower after dusk when it is difficult to see.
  4. Swimming often causes a variety of summer injuries especially when the water is cold and moving swiftly. Every swimmer should know their limits. It is best for children to swim only where there is a lifeguard on duty.
  5. Boaters should exercise boat safety. Wear life jackets and observe all the proper boating rules.
  6. When driving, make sure everyone wears their seat belt and children are in the appropriate car seats.  
  7. Young drivers are especially at risk in the summer. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for U.S. teens. Make sure that young drivers practice a lot with an adult. Also, all young drivers should avoid having passengers which may distract them.

What are you doing to prevent summer injuries for you and your family? I’d love to hear from you!

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