Summer is finally here and that means that more people will be enjoying the nice weather outside. It is however important to remember a few safety reminders to help prevent injuries.
Prevent sun overexposure. Avoid being outdoors during the midday if the sun is intense. Remember that just because the sun is not visible, doesn’t mean that you are not being exposed to UV rays. Use a sunscreen that is at least SPF 15 (45 for kids under the age of eight), cover up with clothing, wear a brimmed hat, and wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.
Keep in mind the signs of heat stress. These can include hot, dry or wet skin, chills, headache, confusion or dizziness. If you notice these signs, first aid is needed immediately. Start by calling 911 and moving the person to a shaded area. Cool the person by drinking water and placing wet rags on the neck, head, body and legs to hopefully lower the person’s body temperature.
Grilling. When cooking outdoors, whether hot and fast grilling, or low and slow barbecue, there are a few things you need to know to make sure nothing goes wrong and to get the most out of your cooking. Know where your fire extinguisher is as well as the gas shut off valve. Cook food to its proper internal temperature to prevent food illnesses. Look at your grill’s instruction manual to determine a safe distance for your grill from structures.
Beware of bugs. The warmer temperatures not only attract people, but they also attract many species of bugs. It is important to use a repellent containing at least 20% DEET. If you live in an area that has a large population of mosquitos, the CDC recommends repelling them with products that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Boating Safety. Again, being that warmer weather is here, more people will be attracted to water sports. Keep in mind this short list of reminders when spending a day out on the water: Be weather wise, use common sense, develop a float plan, and make proper use of life jackets. And most importantly, avoid alcohol, learn to swim, and take a boater safety course.
Visit the following website’s for more outdoor safety reminders: