Have a SAFE SUMMER

SWIMMING AT THE beach, hiking in the woods: There’s no shortage of appealing summertime adventures. But spending more time outdoors also raises the risks for injuries. A little caution and use of sound judgment can help you make the most of the sunshine while avoiding any unnecessary trips to the emergency room.

Here are seven common warm-weather emergencies— and tips on avoiding them.

1. SEVERE SUNBURN

While minor-to-moderate sunburns can be treated at home with over-the-counter remedies like aloe vera, severe sunburn can require emergency treatment. Warning signs include blistering skin, uncontrollable pain and fever. The true extent of a sunburn may take 12 to 24 hours or more to develop.

Steps to prevent sunburn include using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more even if it’s cloudy. Reapply it every two hours and every time you come out of the water. Also consider wearing a brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect the face and eyes.

2. HEAT ILLNESSES

Heat cramps and heat stroke represent a spectrum of illnesses that occur when the body begins to lose the ability to regulate its temperature. Heat exhaustion is marked by heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea and thirst. When heat exhaustion becomes heat stroke, it can cause confusion and even unconsciousness. Heat stroke is a medical emergency—call 911. Children and the elderly are typically more likely to suffer from heat stroke.

To limit your risk of heat-related illness, stay properly hydrated, especially with water and/or fluids with electrolytes. Limit soda and alcohol. Carry a reusable water bottle wherever you go. Thirst is a sign of dehydration: If you feel thirsty, it’s time to catch up on fluid intake.

Avoid outdoor exercise or other physical activity during the hottest times of day.

3. FIREWORKS-RELATED INCIDENTS

Fireworks are a time-honored summer tradition, but when used improperly, they can lead to serious burns, deep cuts and eye injuries. Reduce your risks by using legal fireworks and following all safety guidelines on the package. Never light fireworks in your hand. Leave duds alone—don’t walk up to them to see why they didn’t ignite. Douse all used fireworks in a bucket of water. If you have any doubts about handling fireworks safely, attend a community event and leave the seasonal show to professionals.

4. SPORTS INJURIES

A little planning can help you stay on the field or court longer and avoid injuries like muscle sprains, muscle strains and twisted ankles. Always stretch and perform warmup exercises prior to starting any kind of physical activity. Give yourself time to cool down after you play. Stay properly hydrated. If you’re cycling, skateboarding or riding scooters, wear a helmet. Avoid aggressive speed and maneuvers when bicycling, riding a personal watercraft or operating any type of vehicle.

5. PLAYGROUND MISHAPS

Trips and falls on the playground can lead to scrapes, bruises and lacerations. Keep children safe by always supervising them and limiting running and horseplay as much as possible. Look for playgrounds with softer ground cover such as rubber or mulch instead of asphalt or concrete. Discourage high-risk activities such as pushing a child higher on a swing than they find comfortable. Check the temperature of playground surfaces such as slides before children begin playing on them.

6. TICK BITES

A tick bite can lead to a number of conditions, including babesiosis, a bloodstream infection that brings flulike symptoms such as body aches. Tick bites can also cause Lyme disease. Its hallmark is a rash that classically looks like a bullseye and occurs on average in about seven days at the site of the tick bite. Other symptoms include fever, chills, headache, fatigue and muscle and joint soreness.

Ticks can bite not only in the woods but even in your backyard. Prevention includes wearing moisture-wicking, long-sleeve shirts; long pants; and tall socks to cover your skin. Check yourself for ticks or signs of a bite when you step back indoors.

7. BARBECUE HAZARDS

Never light a gas grill with the lid closed. If the grill doesn’t light immediately, turn off gas and let it dissipate before attempting to light again. Use only the amount of lighter fluid you need to start a charcoal grill. Cook any meat, seafood or poultry thoroughly and to temperatures recommended by the USDA. Keep food—and guests— safe by refrigerating leftovers so they don’t spoil in the sun.

GUARD AGAINST DROWNING

Drownings are the leading cause of death among young children. Ways to reduce risks include:

• Be aware that small children can drown in shallow water.
  

• Make sure at least one adult swimmer provides constant supervision of any children near or in the water.
  

• Install fences and gates around home pools. Consider adding an alarm that alerts you anytime someone goes into the water.
  

• Prohibit children from running around the outside of pools to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
  

• Enroll children in swim lessons. Have them wear life jackets, vests and floaties in the water if they can’t swim.
  

• Never dive head-first into water unless you know how deep it is. Instead, wade in or jump in feet-first.
  

• Always swim near a lifeguard. Heed red-flag warnings for high rip currents at the shore. If you get caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore.