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Donna, M.Ed., BSN, RN
Summer is
upon us: warm (hot) weather, kids out of school, family vacations, swimming,
enjoying outdoor activities, and more. While all of these are enjoyable and
memorable activities, caution needs to come into play to keep our families safe.
Hydration
Making sure
that all stay well-hydrated throughout the day is important. A lot of kids
(even some adults) will balk at having to drink water but offer water, flavored
water, popsicles (homemade, if possible, for control of sugar content), Jello,
Gatorade or electrolyte supplements, and more to those who will be in the heat
during the day. Note: caffeine can be a diuretic so drink sparingly when
working out in the heat. Keep fluids on-hand and drink before feeling
thirsty.
Heat
Safety
Aside from
staying hydrated, the heat can overwhelm those exposed for a length of time.
Those most likely to suffer heat-related injuries or death include people who
work outside; infants and children (especially in a hot car!); the elderly;
obese individuals; and those with chronic conditions, are currently ill, or on
certain medications, (Avoid Heat-related Illnesses and Death, n.d.). Those
medications that cause photosensitivity or actual burns or rashes when in the
sun include thiazide diuretics, Retin-A, some antibiotics (doxycycline and
cipro), some oncological meds, diabetic meds such as those in the sulfonylurea
class, and tricyclic antidepressants, which are an older class of meds, (Aungst, 2023). If you are currently taking these
medications or are prescribed one, discuss with your provider or pharmacist. Be
sure to wear sun protection or stay out of direct sunlight during the hours of
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Completing outside chores in the early morning or early evening, before temperatures rise, can also help prevent heat-related injuries. Keep children and pets indoors during the hottest part of the day (at least make sure that pets have shade and plenty of water available). Other preventative actions:
Wearing wide-brimmed hats
Wear loose-fitting clothing
·
Wear
cooling gaiters/neckerchiefs
·
Never
leave anyone-- child, pet, or senior citizen, in the car on a warm or hot day
·
Avoiding
alcohol in the heat
·
Drinking
water or electrolyte drinks t/o the day
·
Take
breaks from the sun/heat as you can, if working outdoors
Signs of heat
exhaustion:
·
Muscle
cramps
·
Pale
or ashen skin tone
·
Fatigue
or weakness
·
Nausea,
vomiting, headache, dizziness
· Rapid heart rate
Quickly treat victims by giving them cool water or nonalcoholic beverages to sip; move victims to a shaded or airconditioned space; apply cold towels to victim’s body or assist them to a cool shower. Heat exhaustion can exacerbate into heat stroke so move quickly!
Signs of heat stroke (heat stroke is a medical emergency and requires medical attention immediately):
Body temp above 103 degrees
Flushed, dry or hot skin, ability to sweat is compromised
Rapid breathing
Convulsions
Altered-mental status, belligerent behavior, confusion
Headache
First, call 911 to get EMS rolling. Move victim into a cool area/shade; remove all unnecessary clothing from victim and apply cool compresses or water to the neck area, then lay cool, moist towels or clothing on the victim’s body; help into a cool shower, if possible and stay with victim; do not force the victim to sip fluids; do not give salt or pain relievers and do not rub victim with rubbing alcohol (“Surviving the hot Weather,” n.d.).
Water Safety
Did you know that on average, ten people die from drowning each day in the United States? Children between the ages of 1 and 4 are at highest risk, with boys aged 5 to 14 at the next highest risk, (Water Safety - National Safety Council n.d.). Many drowning incidents occur at residential pools, not public pools or large bodies of water.
Per the National Safety Council, being prepared and cautious can decrease the likelihood of water injuries or deaths:
·
Everyone
should know how to swim, even young children
·
Do
not go into the water if you don’t know how to swim
·
Swim
in areas that your skill level matches (pools vs. oceans or lakes)
·
Swim
in areas with lifeguards on duty
·
Do
not drink alcohol while swimming
·
Learn
CPR and other rescue techniques
·
Don’t
swim alone
·
Don’t
dive into unfamiliar areas—due to the possibility of shallow water
Summer days
spent on the water can be memorable but make sure to make planning for safety a
priority.
Fireworks Safety
Fireworks can be beautiful and exciting but dangerous, too. According to the National Safety Council, fireworks burn thousands each year and start over 31,000 fires each year, (“Leave Fireworks to the Expert,” n.d.). Some info on fireworks:
·
Young
children should never handle fireworks
·
Older
children need adult supervision
·
Only
use fireworks away from people, homes, or flammable materials
·
Never
use fireworks while drinking alcohol
·
Never
hold lit fireworks in your hands
·
Eye
protection is a highly-suggested
·
Place
used fireworks in a metal bucket of water for several hours after use, then
dispose of
· Sparklers can burn at temperatures of 2000 degrees! Consider using safer options, such as glow sticks or streamers. The best way to enjoy fireworks is to let the professionals in your area handle them. Attend the fireworks display and set back and enjoy!
Summertime can be a relaxing, fun,
and memorable time of the year. By taking safety precautions, it can be a safe
and healthy time of the year, too!
References
Aungst, C. (2023, January 27). Surviving the hot weather - National
Safety Council. GoodRX.com.
https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/summer-safety/heat
Fireworks safety tips - national safety council. National Safety Council. (n.d.-a).
https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/summer-safety/fireworks
Surviving the
hot weather - National Safety Council. National Safety Council.
(n.d.-a).
https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/summer-safety/heat
Water Safety - National Safety Council.
National Safety Council. (n.d.-b).
https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/drowning
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