In 1996, the National Safety Council (NSC) established June as National Safety Month in the United States. The goal of Summer Safety Month is to increase public awareness of the leading safety and health risks that are increased in the summer months to decrease the number of injuries and deaths at homes and workplaces.
Anyone can be at risk for a heat-related illness. Follow these summer safety tips, like taking extra breaks and drinking lots of water (the best thing to drink and if you’re like me and not crazy about room temperature water than try with ice in it which to me tastes a lot better).
Moderating your exposure to heat goes beyond reapplying sunscreen and covering up. You will want to take extra steps to avoid being outside for long periods in the sun and heat, especially during the peak hours of strongest ultraviolet (UV) rays, during the hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The following are summer safety tips to prevent you and your family from going to the emergency room & stay safe!
The most important TIP is always beat the HEAT. To do that you avoid strenuous exercise on particularly hot days. To watch out for heat exhaustion look for dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headache, & confusion.
Some further tips for National Safety that is the month of June:
1. Stay hydrated; Dehydration is another safety concern during the summer months. Be sure to drink enough liquids throughout the day, as our bodies can lose a lot of water through perspiration when it gets hot out.
2-Remember to always have adult supervision for children. Whether they’re in the pool or playing in the sand at the on the beach at the seashore, having someone who can help them — should an emergency arise — if essential. You should always have a first aid box in REACH.
3-Not only can injuries happen, but in heat exhaustion and dehydration that can happen more often in the summer months due to the high temperature the season has. It helps to be conditioned to the activities in which we’re preparing to engage. Warm up, stretch, gear up, go with a buddy, and remember to cool down and stretch afterwards.
4-The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light can harm the eyes. Wear sunglasses year-round whenever you are out in the sun.
Sun damage to the eyes can occur any time of year. Choose shades that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB light that are especially highier in the summer; since we have most sunshine in the summer. This will bring us to the next tip.
5-Use a sunscreen 30 minutes before going out. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours – between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Stay in the shade more often during the peak intensity hours but for some people who may have pale skin, skin cancer history, or vision problems, etc… stay in the shade whenever possible.
6-Never leave children alone around water. Always designate an adult to watch kids in or around the water. Alsways helpful is to learn how to swim but never swim alone.
7-Beware of bugs; by using an insect repellent that contains citronella or DEET. Change clothes and wash off repellent when you come inside. Avoid bug-infested areas such as tall grass and still water.