Summer can be a source of fun and adventure, but there are several steps you can take to enjoy the season more safely. Rafi Law Firm will walk you through some of the most essential summer tips.
1. Watch out for the sun
The power of the sun is no laughing matter. From sunburns, to heat exhaustion, all the way to the deadly heat stroke, it is important to know the signs of heat-related illnesses. Experts advise that everyone, but especially children under 4 and adults over 65, take precautions such as staying cool, hydrated, and regularly reapplying sun screen. Even on cloudy days, the UV rays from the sun can penetrate through the clouds and it is important to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more every day.
2. Bug off!
Bugs can cause more harm than just interrupting your barbecue. Insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks can carry dangerous – and sometimes deadly – diseases such as malaria, Zika, yellow fever, and Lyme disease. Some tick bites can even leave you with a severe allergy to red meat. Thankfully, you can reduce your risk of getting bitten with several steps. First, use insect repellent. Second, clothing can be coated with an insecticide. Third, you can wear pants and long-sleeved shirts. Lastly, always check your body and clothing for ticks after outdoor activities.
3. Swim safely
Pools and lakes can be a lot of fun, but there are many hidden dangers for both kids and adults. First and foremost, no one should swim alone. Even if you are a strong and confident swimmer, sudden cramps and emergencies happen. If you are swimming in an open body of water, such as the ocean, watch out for currents. If you do get caught in a current, do not try to fight it or swim in the opposite direction. The safest approach is to swim parallels to the shore or simply float along with the current. As always, areas of water with lifeguards are the safest option when available. And lastly, always keep an eye on children near any type of water, even kiddie pools. It only takes as little as 2 inches of water for children to drown.
4. Hot cars are deadly
Most people would not intentionally put children or pets in harms way, but it still happens far too often. On average, 38 children die each year from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle. Even with the windows cracked and the AC running, a child’s body temperature can rise three to five times faster than an adult’s and children can die only minutes after being left behind. Even pets are not safe from this same effect. At only 75 degrees outside, a car is already capable of reaching temperatures near 100. If you see a child or pet alone in a locked car, immediately call 911 and follow the operator’s instructions for getting the victim to safety.
5. Where there’s wheels, there should be protection
Summer can be the perfect time to take up a fun hobby such as biking, skateboarding, or even rollerblading. However, this fun comes with a risk. In 2017 alone, emergency rooms saw nearly 100,000 people for skateboarding accidents. Whether you are a child, an adult, or somewhere in between, you should always wear a helmet and protective gear such as knee, wrist, and elbow pads. On the road, practice cycling safety by riding in bike lanes whenever possible and constantly remaining aware of your surroundings. For drivers, you can do your part to keep cyclists safe by checking your side-view mirrors to look out for oncoming bike traffic before opening your door.