5 summer safety tips to help protect your family

1. Water awareness

Did you know that drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death in children from ages 1-14 in the United States? Even with gates surrounding pool areas, lifeguards on duty, and the protective eyes of parents, it still isn’t enough to stop drowning completely. Below are some tips to assist with the prevention of drowning:

  • Begin swimming lessons with a professional instructor at an early age
  • Ensure the swimmer’s skills match the body of water
  • Make sure all safety rules are known and practiced
  • Learn CPR and other emergency protocols

2. Fun, but safe, in the sun

Summer is here, along with the bright sun and lots of outdoor activities. The sun rays beaming down can cause serious risks like sunburn, heat exhaustion, and even skin cancer. 65-90% of skin cancer is due to UV rays. Your children’s skin is a lot more sensitive and just a few sunburns can increase your child’s risk of skin cancer. It is important to use a minimum of SPF 15 sunblock and reapply every 2-3 hours, keep shaded, and wear sunglasses.

3. Travel checklist

Summer vacation season is here, meaning more families are taking road trips to amazing vacation destinations. Before long drives you should remember to always equip your vehicle with roadside emergency supplies, inspect all fluid levels, belts, tire tread, and air pressure to ensure safe travel. Here are some tips to help your trip run smoothly:

  • Buckle up
  • Request that passengers, not the driver, operate mobile devices if needed
  • Stay alert and aware of other driver’s blind spots, especially large trucks
  • On long trips, take breaks to stretch and move around

4. Keeping cool

With these hot summer days we are more susceptible to suffering from heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. It is important to try and stay inside in air conditioning but if you need to go outside remember to drink extra water, and wear lightweight clothing that breathes well. Some of the most common symptoms of heat exhaustion are:

  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Muscle cramps
  • Profuse sweating

For more information visit CDC.

5. Don’t get bit

Did you know that Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vectorborne illness in the United States? During the spring and summertime ticks carrying Lyme disease are more likely to feed on people. In most cases, people are being infected by the bites of the immature ticks, nymphs, which are less than 2 millimeters in length. A good way to protect yourself is through the use of repellents which will either prevent them from coming near you, or kill them before they get a chance to bite. For more information review this helpful Lyme disease toolkit.