School will start back before you know it, but there’s still time to squeeze in some summer fun. Pair it with summer safety to keep everyone healthy and well.
What’s your favorite part of summer? You might enjoy swimming, time at the lake, backyard barbecues, or visits to a local park. One thing that’s probably not on your summer to-do list? A trip to the emergency room.
Summer brings its share of hazards along with the fun, but you can take steps to protect yourself and your family.
“Many injuries and illnesses we often see during the summer can be prevented,” says Mike Revelle, MD, Medical Director of Emergency Services at West Tennessee Healthcare. “Following some basic summer safety tips when you’re spending time outdoors can help you stay safe.”
Summer Safety: In the Water
When the temperatures heat up in Tennessee, many of us head for the water to stay cool, so our summer safety tips start there.
Whether you’re at the community pool, at a waterpark, or in a lake or river, follow these water safety guidelines:
- Never leave children unsupervised near water. An adult should always be actively supervising kids any time they’re around water.
- Swim in lifeguarded areas whenever possible. It’s simply safer to have multiple sets of eyes on anyone who’s swimming, so a lifeguard adds an extra layer of protection.
- Don’t dive into water of unknown depth. If you aren’t familiar with the water and what’s underneath it, don’t dive into it.
- Never drink alcohol when swimming or boating. You need to be attentive and engaged around water, and alcohol consumption inhibits that.
“The tip about active supervision is especially important,” Dr. Revelle says. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 people in the United States die each day of unintentional drowning. It only takes seconds for drowning to occur. When you’re supervising children around water, keep your eyes on them at all times and avoid distractions.”
Summer Safety: Outdoor Meals
Beautiful summer weather also sends us outdoors for meals, whether at a barbecue in the backyard or a picnic in the park. Food safety is another important part of summer safety.
Eating a meal outside? Follow these guidelines:
- Wash, wash, wash your hands. Before preparing, serving, or eating food, wash your hands with soap and water. Hand sanitizer can do in a pinch, but soap and water are best.
- Keep uncooked food away from ready-to-eat foods. That means storing meat and seafood separately from salads, fruits, veggies, and dessert.
- Cook food to the proper temperature. If you’re grilling, use a food thermometer to ensure grilled foods reach a safe temperature.
- Dig in, then put the food away. After food is prepared, eat it before it begins to warm up in the outdoor heat. After your meal, perishable foods should be quickly stored away in a cooler or in the refrigerator.
Summer Safety: The Heat Is On
Summer heat can cause food to spoil, but it can also wreak havoc on your body. As our temperatures soar into the upper 80s and 90s, your risk of heat-related illness increases.
Taking precautions can keep you safe when spending time outdoors:
- Seek shade whenever possible. The sun may feel good on your skin, but it can quickly heat up your body. Sit in the shade under an umbrella or the patio overhang instead of in the sun.
- Drink up. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Sip water throughout the day to make sure you stay hydrated. If you’re sweating excessively, you may also want to add an electrolyte-replenishing packet to your water.
- Avoid the hottest parts of the day. When you can, plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon and evening. The sun’s rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so it’s best to be inside, if possible, during that time.
- Slather on sunscreen. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 about 20 minutes before going outside, then reapply at least every two hours while outdoors. Reapply more frequently if you’re sweating excessively or swimming.
- Go inside if you feel overheated. If you don’t feel quite right after spending some time outside, head for the air conditioning. It can be tempting to stay outdoors where the fun is happening, but take some time to cool your body down.
What to Do When Something Goes Wrong
Our best precautions sometimes still aren’t enough to prevent injury and illness. Because of that, it’s important to know what constitutes an emergency—and what to do in an emergency.
Heat-related illnesses are particularly common during the summer months, so get to know the types of heat-related illness and their symptoms. Heat stroke is the most serious kind of heat-related illness and is a life-threatening emergency, so if you think someone is experiencing heat stroke symptoms, call 911.
Heat exhaustion is also a serious health issue. Seek medical attention if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, and heavy sweating after spending time in the heat.
Dehydration can occur much more easily during the summer. In many cases, you can alleviate mild dehydration at home by drinking water or an electrolyte beverage, but severe dehydration may require medical treatment. If you have decreased urine output, along with other symptoms such as extreme fatigue, confusion, shortness of breath, or a rapid heartbeat, seek emergency medical attention.
Food poisoning can put a damper on your summer fun, but it usually isn’t an emergency. Seek medical attention if you can’t keep any food down for more than one day or if you can’t tolerate liquids. If you’re experiencing food poisoning, you’re also at a higher risk of dehydration, so watch for the symptoms we noted above.
Finally, if someone has to be rescued from the water after a near-drowning, emergency care is needed. It’s best for the person to be seen by a medical provider who can determine next steps and make sure there’s no risk of further problems.
When an emergency strikes, we’re here to help. Find the emergency care you need at West Tennessee Healthcare locations throughout west Tennessee.
