Summer’s Right Around the Corner: Play It Safe

Posted May 6, 2010 in Current Events by
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Most of us look forward to summertime. The kids are out of school, the cold weather is behind us, and several holidays on the horizon. But with summer comes some seasonal risks. Before you put all of your cares behind you, here’s a short refresher to help stay safe this summer.

Keep Sunburn, Skin Cancer & Heat-Related Illnesses at Bay

The best way to reduce your risk of sunburn—and burn-related diseases such as skin cancer—is to stay out of the sun. As a rule of thumb, the sun is strongest from about 10 am to 4 pm.

Get in the habit of always applying sunscreen when out in the sun, even if you’re not sun bathing. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF (or sun protection factor) of 30. Apply it about 30 minutes prior to going into the sun and reapply every two or three hours—more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating.

You can also wear protective clothing that shields your skin from the sun. (But know that not all clothing completely blocks the sun’s rays.) Wear long-sleeved clothing, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.

Keep well-hydrated while out in the sun, and pay attention to your body’s warning signs. It’s easy to overheat, and you may not realize it until it’s too late. Pace yourself when physically exerting yourself during hot weather. Drink 16 to 32 ounces of water (or a sports drink, which also replaces lost salt and minerals) each hour. And remember that your pets can overheat, too!

Practice Pool Safety

A swimming pool can be a lot of fun, but it also poses dangers than many people overlook.

Adults and kids who are around water should also learn survival skills and practice good pool-safety practices:

  • As soon as your child can crawl, he or she should be taught water survival techniques.
  • Even children who know how to swim can down. Regardless of age or swimming ability, don’t let children swim without supervision.
  • Anyone who is regularly supervising swimmers should know CPR and other first aid techniques.
  • Drowning can occur even when children are supervised. Adults who are supervising kids at a pool should don’t be distracted by phone calls, text message, personal conversations or reading material.
  • If you or a neighbor have a pool and your child goes missing, the pool should be the first place you check. Time is of the essence when saving children who are submerged in water.
  • If people are swimming outdoors and it starts to thunder or lightening, get out of the pool and into a safe shelter. Stay out of the pool for at least 30 minutes after you last hear thunder.

Firework Safety

For many of us, it wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without fireworks. But before you decide to put on an impromptu show, think twice and consider leaving the fireworks shows to the experts.

Many, if not most, towns have strict rules banning the use of fireworks. Break the rules and you could face criminal prosecution, civil penalties and liability for any damage caused by the fireworks to any people or property. Also, keep in mind that many homeowner’s insurance policies won’t cover any damage caused by the intentional and reckless use of explosives, including fireworks.

If you refuse to relinquish the fireworks, at least make sure to play it safe. Fireworks should only be handled by sober adults. Don’t point the fireworks in the direction of people, animals, cars or houses. And keep spectators at a safe distance.

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