Summer is here! With warmer temperatures and longer days, it’s no wonder this season is a favorite to many. However, there are some dangers we should all be aware of while enjoying our time. Here are some ways to keep you and your family safe during the summer!
Water Safety
According to the American Red Cross, drowning is the leading cause of death for children. Enjoying time in the water is a favorite summer pastime of many, so following the tips below can help you and your family stay safe this summer while still enjoying the water!
Ensure all members of your family know how to swim.
When in or around water, make sure:
Children are under close supervision.
Life jackets are being utilized (even on strong swimmers in waters like lakes and rivers).
Swim with a buddy.
Only swim in supervised areas and obey all signs and warnings.
Keep an eye on changing weather and water currents.
Know what to do in an emergency:
How to help someone in trouble in the water.
How to call for help.
CPR.
If you have access to a pool or a body of water, make sure gates and doors are locked, alarms set, and children are accounted for to avoid young children entering the water unsupervised.
Wear a life jacket when boating, jet skiing, water skiing, rafting, float trips, fishing, etc.
Sun and Heat Safety
Sun safety is something that can be practiced all year round, but it can be extremely important during hot weather. Protecting our skin and eyes from sun exposure can help prevent sunburn, skin aging, eye damage, and skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Luckily there are safe practices and products to help lower your chances. The sun and the heat can also cause heat exhaustion and other health issues with prolonged exposure. Below are some tips on how to stay safe from the heat and the sun’s rays!
Limit time in the sun especially between 10 am and 2pm when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
Wear clothing that covers the skin, like:
Lightweight long sleeve shirts and pants.
Sunglasses.
Wide-brimmed hats.
Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
Look for brands that protect against UVA and UVB rays.
Read the label to ensure the product is used properly.
Consult your child’s doctor on sunscreen for infants younger that 6 months.
Use sunscreen, even on cloudy days.
Re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours. Apply more often when swimming or sweating.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Choose glasses with a UV 400 rating or 100% UV protection on the label.
The darkness of the lens does not indicate the ability to shield from UV rays.
More expensive sunglasses do not equate to more protection.
Ensure children’s sunglasses offer UV protection. Many toy sunglasses do not have any protection.
Be on the lookout for signs of heat exhaustion, like:
Pale or ashen skin, muscle cramps, fatigue or exhaustion, headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting, or a rapid heart rate.
Be on the lookout for signs of heat stroke, like:
Body temp above 103 degrees, rapid breathing, convulsions or unresponsiveness, irrational or belligerent behavior, stopped sweating, or confusion.
Check-in on those 65 and older or those that work outdoors.
Ensure children are not left in the car.
Pest Safety
With more time spent outside, it’s also important to remember the pests that live outside! Ticks and mosquitos carry diseases that can make us very sick, so it is important to avoid/minimize contact with them. While we can’t completely avoid ticks or mosquitos, taking the precautions below can help you enjoy your time outside this summer!
Protect yourself against mosquito bites.
From dusk to dawn are peak biting times.
Wear long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outside.
Use a repellent with DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 when outdoors.
Follow all instructions on the product label.
Some products are not suited for infants and young children.
Drain all standing water to prevent mosquito breeding grounds.
Check rain gutters, drains, empty unused flowerpots or wading pools, buckets, tires, etc. after heavy rains.
Change water in birdbaths and feeding troughs frequently.
Install and repair screens on storm doors and windows.
Protect yourself against tick bites.
Stick to main pathways and center of trails while hiking.
Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Tuck pants into socks if possible.
Use bug repellents that contain DEET.
Follow all instructions on the product label.
Some products are not suited for infants and young children.
Check yourself after time spent outside.
Ticks like areas between the toes, back of the knees, groin, armpits, neck, along the hairline, and behind the ears.
Check children and pets too.
Remove any attached ticks as soon as possible.
Do not apply kerosene, petroleum jelly, nail polish, or use a hot match tip to remove ticks.
If you do get a tick bite:
Circle the calendar date and note the area on the body the tick was removed.
Talk to a doctor if you develop a rash where you were bitten or experience symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, or sore aching muscles.
For more information on how you and your family can stay safe this summer, please check out the following links:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/bam/safety/water-safety.htm
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/tips-stay-safe-sun-sunscreen-sunglasses
https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer/heat
https://blog.mass.gov/blog/health/safe-practices-for-mosquito-and-tick-bites/
Megan Winkelmann has been a Community Health Educator with the Jefferson County Health Department for just over two years. She attended Truman State University earning a bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a minor in Biology. While working for JCHD she attended A.T. Still University to earn her master’s degree in Public Health. Megan was born and raised in Jefferson County and enjoys creating programs that encourage healthy habits in the place she was raised. Megan likes to spend her free in time in the presence of family and friends.
MCH Publicity Statement: This project is/was funded in part by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Maternal and Child Health Services Contract #AOC18380095, and is/was supported by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant #B04MC30623, Maternal and Child Health Services for $12,107,084, of which $0 is from non-governmental sources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.