Summer is short on the Seacoast and Lakes Region, and many people try to cram as much fun as possible into these three months. Because summer accidents, mishaps and illness can occur, the Injury Prevention program at Frisbie Memorial Hospital offers the following tips for having a safe summer.
Summer Safety Tips
Water Safety
No matter where you're swimming — pool, lake or the ocean — water safety is important for all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and is the second leading cause of death in children age 5 to 14. Adults need to be careful, too, especially when alcohol is involved. One slip and fall into a pool while intoxicated can be catastrophic. At New Hampshire's beaches, beachgoers should watch for changes to the flag color which represent rip tides or otherwise dangerous conditions. Lifeguards are on duty at New Hampshire State Park beaches during the summer (hours vary by location), but it's up to individuals to pay attention. If the flag is red, stay out of the water. Also:
- Don't leave children unsupervised around water.
- It only takes 60 seconds to drown.
- According to the CDC, there are more than 4,000 fatal unintentional drownings each year, an average of 11 drowning deaths per day. And there are 8,000 non-fatal drownings per year, which is an average of 22 non-fatal drownings per day in the U.S.
Sun safety
Apply, reapply, and reapply again. Sun exposure not only can cause premature aging, it can cause skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be nearly 105,000 new cases of melanoma this year, and that approximately 8,500 people in the U.S. are expected to die from melanoma this year. But don't just apply sunscreen when you're at the beach — any time you're outside mowing the lawn, planting flowers, playing a game of tennis or baseball. If you're outside, protect your skin by wearing a hat and sunblock.
Heat stroke and heat exhaustion
Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are different things, but are often thought to be synonymous. According to the CDC, heat stroke is the most serious and occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. As the body temperature quickly rises, the perspiration mechanism fails and our body is unable to cool down. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given. Symptoms of heat stroke include: confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech; loss of consciousness (coma); hot, dry skin or profuse sweating; seizures; very high body temperature.
Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt through excessive sweating, according to the CDC. Those at the highest risk are the elderly, those with high blood pressure, and those working in a hot environment. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: headache; nausea; dizziness; weakness; irritability; thirst; heavy sweating; elevated body temperature; decreased urine output.
Fire pit safety
Toasting marshmallows for s'mores and sitting around the campfire with your friends and family is one of summer's best pleasures. Keep children and intoxicated individuals away from the fire, and do not sit too closely. Be sure to extinguish your campfire completely before leaving the area.
Fireworks safety
Did you know that sparklers can reach temperatures of 2,000 degrees? Don't let small children play with them, and keep both children and adults away from fireworks. Sit back, relax, and leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.
Check on your neighbors
It's also important to remember during the warmer months to check on our elderly family members and neighbors, especially when temperatures really soar. The elderly may not be aware of their rising body temperature, which can put them at risk for heat stroke, which can be fatal. Some signs to look for in older adults:
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Muscle cramps
- Dry mouth
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Infrequent urination