Summer Safety

Well, it is finally here, Summer has arrived.  We have all survived the cold winter and rainy spring to finally enjoy the summer.  Now is a great time to review some summer safety tips to keep everyone safe and healthy this summer.

As the weather warms up, we tend to spend more time outdoors, whether it is for sporting activities, working around the house or spending time by the water.  Any of these activities can put you at risk for injury.  There are some things that can be done to try and prevent an injury. 

This includes:

• Stretching is especially important before and during any physical activity.  It is also important during repetitive activities such as gardening, tennis, golf, and construction work.  It is important to stretch the muscles of your forearms if you are gripping something in your hand for an extended period of time.  To stretch the muscles of your forearm, you need to straighten your elbow and bend your wrist so that your fingers are pointing towards the ground and then bend your wrist so your fingers are pointing upward.  If necessary, you can use your opposite hand to apply a little pressure to either the back of the hand or your palm in order to feel the stretch up by your elbow.  You want to feel a gentle stretch and hold that for approximately 10 seconds. 
• Be observant  It is important that you be observant while working with power tools.  You should always watch what you are doing when operating power tools to prevent the possibility of an injury.  When operating a lawn mower, be sure the mower is turned off and the blade has stopped spinning before reaching under the mower deck to clear sticks or other debris. 
• Protect yourself  It is important that you wear safety glasses for eye protection and work gloves to help protect your hands.  Sustained and repetitive use of tools that have vibration such as lawn mowers, jack hammers, and power tools can be aggravating to the nerves in your hands.  Gloves that provide protection against vibration are recommended. 
• Seek medical care If an injury does occur, it is important to seek medical care.  An injury may be more serious than you realize.  A “jammed” finger may have ligament or tendon damage.  A deep cut may require stitches.  A “smashed” finger could result in a broken bone or tendon damage. 

            One of the common conditions that can occur as the temperature and humidity rise is heat exhaustion.  Heat exhaustion occurs when your body overheats.  It is one of three heat-related syndromes, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most severe.   Causes of heat exhaustion include exposure to high temperatures, particularly when combined with high humidity, and strenuous physical activity.  Without prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition.  The good news is, heat exhaustion is preventable. 

You can take a number of precautions to prevent heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses.  When temperatures start to climb, remember to:

• Wear loosefitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.  Excess, dark or tight clothing holds in heat and doesn’t allow your body to cool properly because it inhibits sweat evaporation. 
• Avoid sunburn.  If you’re going to be outside, wear a lightweight, wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun, and apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. Having a sunburn reduces your body’s ability to rid itself of heat.
• Seek a cooler place.  Being in an air-conditioned building, even for just a few hours, is one of the best ways to prevent heat exhaustion.  If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, consider spending time at a library or shopping mall.  At the least, find a well-shaded spot.  Fans alone aren’t adequate enough to counter high heat and humidity.
• Drink plenty of fluids.  Staying hydrated will help your body sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.  Stick to water or sports drinks.  Don’t drink any beverages that have alcohol or caffeine, either of which can contribute to fluid loss. 
• Take extra precautions with certain medications.  Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether the medications you take make you more susceptible to heat exhaustion, and if so, do what you can do to keep your body from overheating.
• Avoid hot spots.  On a hot day, the temperature in your parked car can rise 20 degrees in just 10 minutes.  Let your car cool off before you drive it.  Never leave children or anyone else in a parked car in hot weather for any period of time. 
• Let your body acclimate to the heat.  If you travel to somewhere hot, or the temperatures suddenly jump in your area, it can take several weeks for your body to get used the heat.  You’ll still need to take precautions, but working or exercising in heat should become more tolerable.  If you’re on vacation, your probably don’t have several weeks to wait, but it’s a good idea to wait at least a few days before attempting vigorous activity in the heat. 

It’s best not to exercise or engage in any strenuous activity in hot weather, but if you must, follow the same precautions and rest frequently in a cool spot.  Taking breaks and replenishing your fluids during that time will help your body regulate your temperature.