One of the favorite seasons, summer also brings more preventable injuries and deaths than any other season
By Barbara Pierce
Summer is coming: pleasant temperatures, time for a lot of outdoor activities.
While you and your family are enjoying this beautiful time of year doing the things you love, keep in mind that more preventable injuries and deaths occur in the summer than at other times during the year.
Here are a few tips to keep you and your family safe, healthy and having fun.
Water safety
Swimming is a fun way to beat the heat. But it comes with its risks. Accidents in and around the water frequently involve children. According to New York State Pool Safety, children younger than 15 make up more than 78% of pool and spa drownings in the U.S. and 67% of them are children younger than 3.
Remember a few key things when spending time around water, especially with children.
Always supervise your children around water. Stay within arm’s reach of a small child. Never leave your child alone near water; if you must leave, take your child with you. Lifeguards do not replace the need for close supervision from an adult. Enrolling your child in swimming lessons is a good idea, but it doesn’t make it safe for them to swim alone.
“Teaching children to swim at a young age prepares them to be safer and more confident around water,” said Hank Leo, CEO at YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley.
The best thing you can do to be safe in and around water is to be able to swim. This applies to both children and adults.
“Swim lessons help adults and children become more comfortable in the water and teaches them to float and safely operate in the water,” he added. “We provide swimming lessons at both our Rome and Oneida branches of the YMCA. In YMCA aquatics programs, children learn to be safe around water and they feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with learning something new.”
Avoid drugs and alcohol while swimming. They slow reaction time and impair judgment.
Sports safety
We can lose strength and flexibility over the winter due to inactivity. When it gets warmer, if we try to do too much too soon, we can end up with an injury. After a period of inactivity, your body won’t get back into shape overnight. You need to be patient and increase your level of activity gradually.
“My overall take on this is if you’re strong and good at sports, you have a good chance of avoiding injuries,” said head coach John Giordano, Mohawk Valley Wellness in Marcy.
Giordano leads several programs at Mohawk Valley Wellness, including a summer program for athletes in grades seven through 12. The six-week strength and conditioning course is designed for teens.
Experts also suggest that we warm up and cool down at the start and end of every workout to prevent injuries. Proper stretching of your muscles before and after activity increases blood flow and joint flexibility. And do use supportive footwear and protective equipment.
Listen to your body; stop if you feel pain, as overtraining is a major cause of injury. Injuries often occur when you push yourself too hard. The old saying ‘no pain, no gain’ can be very damaging and lead to injuries, according to experts.
Stay hydrated is a recommendation from Giordano and many others. Dehydration can cause heat-related injuries such as heat stroke. It can also cause cramping that can lead to muscle and tendon injuries.
Also, Giordano recommends getting enough sleep and proper nutrition to keep fit.
Motor vehicle safety
Car accidents happen all year. But they see an uptick in the summer as there are more drivers on the road taking vacations, road construction increases and more people are driving under the influence of alcohol. Motor vehicle accidents are the third most common cause of preventable injury-related death in the U.S.
Wherever you are driving this summer use these safe driving practices: Don’t become distracted; pull over if you need to use your cell phone. Don’t drink and drive. If you plan to drink, use a designated driver or ride service. Don’t speed. Make sure you and your passengers are all wearing seatbelts.
Fire and fireworks safety
Campfires, barbecues and fireworks are summertime staples. But they are also hazards.
Children are especially vulnerable as they may not understand the risks associated with fires and fireworks. Never leave children unattended near an open flame. Also, be cautious about store-bought fireworks like sparklers, which can quickly ignite clothing or shoes.
Tips from the U.S. Fire Administration include: Don’t use fireworks at home. Instead, watch fireworks at a public show put on by experts. Build campfires at least 25 feet away from tents, shrubs and anything that can burn. Only use barbecue grills outdoors. Indoor use can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Now that you have the tools and tips for a safe summer, have a wonderful summer!