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Summer SafetyWhen the days turn warmer and the sun shines brighter, that means that summer has arrived. It’s time for trips to the beach, lazy days spent out by the pool and delicious barbecues with family and friends.
However, while enjoying this summer fun, you must be careful to avoid potentially dangerous hazards that can quickly turn into an emergency situation. The Orange County Red Cross offers these important safety tips to keep in mind during this warm summer season.
Staying Safe in the Sun
Beach Safety
Protect your skin: Sunlight contains two kinds of UV rays -- UVA increases the risk of skin cancer, skin aging, and other skin diseases. UVB causes sunburn and can lead to skin cancer. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor containing a high rating such as 15. Drink plenty of water regularly and often even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly but make the heat's effects on your body worse. This is especially true with beer, which dehydrates the body. Watch for signs of heat stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red, and dry skin; changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse, and rapid, shallow breathing. Call 9-1-1 or your local EMS number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body by wrapping wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down. Wear eye protection: Sunglasses are like sunscreen for your eyes and protect against damage that can occur from UV rays. Be sure to wear sunglasses with labels that indicate that they absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight. Wear foot protection: Many times, people's feet can get burned from the sand or cut from glass in the sand.Hiking and Camping Safety
Hiking and camping provide exercise and interest for people of any age. Just getting out and walking around is a wonderful way to see nature. Since unexpected things happen, however, the best way to help guarantee a good time for all is to plan ahead carefully and follow commonsense safety precautions.
If you have any medical conditions, discuss your plans with your health care provider and get approval before departing. Review the equipment, supplies and skills that you'll need. Consider what emergencies could arise and how you would deal with those situations. What if you got lost, or were unexpectedly confronted by an animal? What if someone became ill or injured? What kind of weather might you encounter? Add to your hiking checklist the supplies you would need to deal with these situations. Make sure you have the skills you need for your camping or hiking adventure. You may need to know how to read a compass, erect a temporary shelter or give first aid. Practice your skills in advance. If your trip will be strenuous, get into good physical condition before setting out. If you plan to climb or travel to high altitudes, make plans for proper acclimatization to the altitude. It's safest to hike or camp with at least one companion. If you'll be entering a remote area, your group should have a minimum of four people; this way, if one is hurt, another can stay with the victim while two go for help. If you'll be going into an area that is unfamiliar to you, take along someone who knows the area or at least speak with those who do before you set out. Some areas require you to have reservations or certain permits. If an area is closed, do not go there. Find out in advance about any regulations--there may be rules about campfires or guidelines about wildlife. Pack emergency signaling devices, and know ahead of time the location of the nearest telephone or ranger station in case an emergency does occur on your trip. Leave a copy of your itinerary with a responsible person. Include such details as the make, year, and license plate of your car, the equipment you're bringing, the weather you've anticipated and when you plan to return. Get trained in American Red Cross first aid before starting out. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for a Community First Aid and Safety course.
Barbecue Safety
Keep children away from outdoor grills or the kitchen stove when food is cooking. Be careful around hot liquids. Store flammable materials away from heat. Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department on how to use them. Have a working smoke detector in your home and change the battery twice-a-year. Have a garden hose that reaches any area of the house.General Fire Safety
Post fire emergency numbers near each telephone. Create a 30-to-100 foot safety zone around property. Plan for pet survival needs. Keep items that can be used as fire tools: a rake, ax, handsaw, bucket, shovel and a ladder that will reach the roof. Prearrange several meeting places for family members in case of separation. Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping. Plan several escape routes away from home – by car and by foot.Water Safety
Learn to swim and be water safe. Never allow children to be alone near a pool; always make sure there is adult supervision. Use the buddy system. Never swim alone! Don’t rely on inflatable devices to keep children afloat. Know your swimming limitations and stay within them. Don’t try to keep up with stronger swimmers. Swim in supervised areas only.
Never use a spa after drinking alcohol. Pool covers should be completely removed when not in use. Properly fence and secure your pool. The Red Cross recommends full 360-degree fencing and a self-locking gate with a latch at least 54” high. Beware of the “Dangerous Too’s” – too tired, too far from safety, too much sun and too much activity. Learn how to perform CPR. Call the Red Cross for course information. Keep a cordless or cellular phone by the pool to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.601 N. Golden Circle Drive, Santa Ana, CA, 92705
Phone: (714) 481-5300 Website: www.oc-redcross.org
