With the arrival of warmer weather comes an increase in the chance of injuries. People spend more time outdoors doing activities that can put them at risk for danger. Although summer activities can be a lot of fun, we should always take proper precautions to avoid any injuries in ourselves and others. Keep reading for some basic summer safety tips to help keep you safe this summer!
Summer Safety Tips:
Drive with care- Children should never be left in the car alone, even for very short periods of time.
- When putting children in the car in the summer, make sure their seat is not hot from the sun, especially with toddlers and infants. Infants can suffer a burn easier than an adult, so ensure their car seat is cooled before placing them in it.
- Summertime usually means more trips to the pool or beach, and often with friends. Always ensure every child is in a proper seat with a seatbelt. Never drive with more occupants than a vehicle is designed for, even if they all “fit”.
Mowing the lawn- Always wear proper footwear while moving, such as steel toe boots.
- Ensure children are not nearby while mowing. Lawnmowers are noisy and you may not be able to hear approaching children.
- Walk through the area you will be moving to look for toys or rocks that may be in the way, lawnmowers can throw these items quickly and also cause damage to your mower.
Fire safety- Summer means bonfires, always ensure anybody around a campfire is far enough away to avoid the flames.
- Keep an extinguisher nearby just in case and know how to use it.
- Never use gasoline or any other related product to start a fire, this can any fire to ignite too rapidly and spread.
- Wear non-flammable clothing around fires if possible.
- Ensure roasted marshmallows are cooled before eating them, and don’t have too many they are pure sugar.
- Keep a container of water nearby if roasting marshmallows. If roasting marshmallows, and one catches on fire, dip it in the water, do not attempt to blow it out (you could burn your lips or face) and do not wave it back and forth, it could fly off your stick and hit another person.
Sun Safety- Dress appropriately for the weather, light clothes will keep you cooler, but guard yourself from the sun.
- Always apply sun screen if outdoors.
- Keep hydrated, drink plenty of water.
- If you feel weak and nauseated after being in the sun for an extended period of time, slowly sip water and seek medical help.