Keeping Summer Safety In Mind

Summer brings with it an increase in injuries, especially swimming and boating injuries. Most injuries can be prevented with proper safety measures.

Water Safety

Who does not like going for a dip on a hot summer day? Unfortunately, drownings and near drownings peak during the summer months. Accidents, such as spinal injuries due to diving can also occur. Swimming accidents occur due to a variety of reasons. For example, children may wander into a swimming pool without being noticed. Teens may take a chance and swim in an unfamiliar river or lake, and boaters may head out without a life jacket.

Taking the right precautions can prevent accidents from happening. Consider some of the following suggestions:

• Put a fence around backyard pools and consider adding a pool alarm.
• Avoiding diving in backyard pools and other bodies of water if you are unsure of the depth. It is best to enter feet first until you are sure how deep the water is.
• Always supervise children near water. It only takes a minute for an accident to occur.
• Learn to swim.
• Teach children to always swim with a buddy.
• Wear a life jacket while in a boat even if you are a good swimmer.
• Avoid the use of alcohol if you are going swimming or boating.  

Ticks And Insect Dangers

If you are like a lot of people, you spend more time outside in the summer months. But you are not the only one out there. Ticks and other pesky insects are also out in full force. Following a few precautions should help you steer clear of problems related to bugs.

Although bees are not dangerous for most people, if you are allergic, a sting can be serious. The presence of bees increases in the summer. If you are allergic, make sure to carry emergency epinephrine, if it was prescribed by a doctor. Even if you are not allergic, bee stings can be painful. You may not be able to completely eliminate your risk, but there are a few things you can do to prevent stings. For example, avoid wearing scented lotions or perfumes, which can attract bees. If you are eating outside, throw leftover food away as soon as possible, which may also help keep bees at bay.

Mosquitoes can also be bothersome in the summer. Although they are usually only a nuisance, mesquites can also sometimes carry a virus such as West Nile virus. You cannot hibernate all summer to avoid mesquites, but you can do a few things to keep them away. Use insect repellent when you are outdoors. Drain standing water, such as fountains, where mosquitoes thrive. Cover up with clothing as much as is reasonable for the weather. It may also help to avoid being outside during peak mesquite time, which is usually at dusk.  

READ Ten Tips for Avoiding and Removing Ticks

Ticks can be another pesky problem in the summer. Although not all tick bites are dangerous, some ticks can transmit Lyme disease. If you are walking or hiking in a wooded area, stay in the center of the trail and consider wearing long pants.