Now the nights are shorter and the days are warmer more families are getting outside and making more time for fun and adventure. All that fun can be quickly spoiled if you don’t take care to be safe this summer. A few tips for how to keep your family safe as you venture out for sun and fun can go a long way towards keeping everyone happy and healthy as well.
Update Your Tetanus Shots
Even though you might not think about it, during the summer there is a higher probability of tetanus in children and even adults. Tetanus is a condition that can cause painful muscle spasms and affect the central nervous system. The outside elements such as soil and dust can hold the bacteria leading to tetanus. When children and adults get a cut or scrape, dirt can enter the cut and cause serious infection. Children and adults who are constantly outside are very susceptible to the tetanus bacteria. Besides updating your tetanus immunisations (shots should be updated every 10 years), make sure to completely wash cuts and scrapes and keep them clean and covered when playing outside in sand or dirt.
The Bugs and the Bees
The summer months bring out more than just your family. Bugs, bees and wasps are also more common as the weather heats up. Mosquitoes will be out in full force as well as ticks, depending on the area you live in. Wearing long bottoms and sleeves can help protect against bites and ticks making their way under your family’s skin. Mosquito bites are a little more than annoying these days. With the threat of West Nile Virus a new concern for families, you should try to get rid of any standing water as this is prime breeding ground for mosquitoes. You can also protect your family with an approved insect repellent. However, you’ll want to check with your family physician on repellents containing Deet before using them on small children.
Stings from bees and wasps should be watched carefully. Any sting that begin turning red and become painful to the touch may be infected. Seek medical attention immediately if the sting swells and begins to itch uncontrollably. It’s possible that you or your child may be allergic without you realising it.
Sunny Days
While the sun is still our friend, we need to be aware of the sun’s harmful rays and protect ourselves. As the ozone layer deteriorates, so does our level of protection from the sun. Rather than end up burnt and sore at the end of a beautiful summer day, heed these safety precautions:
- Always put on sunscreen before going outside. Even on a cloudy day you can get burnt from the sun’s rays.
- Wear light colour clothing in order to reflect the sun.
- Don’t allow children to fall asleep in the sun.
- Pay special attention to small children and the elderly. They are more prone to sun stroke and heat exhaustion.
- Keep fluid intake up when playing outside and take frequent breaks from the sun.
In addition to the sun, those warm humid days and allergies can wreak havoc on someone who suffers from breathing problems or asthma. You can keep flare-ups to a minimum by reducing the amount of time spent outside during the hottest hours of the day and taking nightly showers and baths to remove allergens that may have attached themselves to hair and clothes during the day.
Water Works
Nothing beats the heat more than a cool dip in the water. However, playing it safe in the water is paramount to making sure your beach days don’t get wrecked. If you’re on the beach, make sure there is a lifeguard present and the area you are in is approved for swimming. Children (even teens) should never go into to the water without an adult or buddy present. Whether you’re at a public pool or your own back garden, adhere to the rules of the swimming area.
Don’t run, push or play rough around the pool area as it could be slippery and there is good chance someone may get hurt. Always have permission before heading into the water, even if you’re visiting a neighbour. Should something happen, they could be liable for any accidents. Lastly, venturing out in deep water can be dangerous and deadly. Play it safe and take notice of water depths and markers. This can be more difficult if you are swimming in a lake, ocean or pond where sudden drop-offs are common.
The entire family can enjoy summer to its fullest as long as everyone is aware of some of the dangers the summer months bring. Talk with your children about what to do if someone has an accident or gets injured and go over your family’s safety rules with them to ensure everyone understands what’s permitted and what is not.
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