Spring & Summer Safety Tips

Spring and Summer Safety Tips to Prevent Injuries

The warmer months are named ‘trauma season’ for a reason. Incidences of bicycle-related injuries, swimming and water-sport injuries and lawn mower injuries all begin to rise once April rolls around and clocks spring forward. But, spring and summer injuries can be lessened by taking proper safety precautions.

Spring Safety Tips

You’ve been cooped up all winter. The snow has melted, flowers are blooming, and birds are chirping. All signs confirm that spring has arrived! But not so fast! There are a few things you should do before bolting out the door and into the backyard. Here are three spring safety tips to keep you and your loved ones happy and healthy.

1. Water Intoxication Safety

There are many articles out there about how to keep kids safe in water during the warmer months, but there isn’t as much information about preventative measures for water poisoning or water intoxication. While we all know that drinking lots of fluids is key to surviving hot days, this should be balanced with sports drinks or foods that contain sodium to replenish electrolytes.

Sodium helps the body retain water, and prevents the kidneys from overworking. Read more about the signs and symptoms of water intoxication.

2. Test Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Spring is a great time to test home safety equipment. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to do this and take a proactive step by replacing the batteries.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that,  “Three out of every five home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms. Dead batteries caused one-quarter (25%) of the smoke alarm failures.”

Smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and in the common areas on each floor of a home, while carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in a central location outside each bedroom and on every level of the home.

3. Replace Air Conditioner Filters

Indoor air quality is vital to our everyday lives and health. There are many pollutants found indoors that can trigger asthma attacks and spring is known for increased allergies. Purchase a new air filter, discard the old one, and install the new air filter according to manufacturer guidelines. Not only does this immediately reduce dust particulars in the air, it also helps the furnace or air conditioner run more efficiently.

Summer Safety Tips

Think you’re ready to beat those rising temperatures? As temperatures increase, so do many safety risks. Whether your plans include a vacation or a staycation, check out these five helpful summer safety tips designed to keep you injury free during the hottest months of the year.

1. Model Good Hygiene

Summer vacation means time away from home, and for many kids, this means summer camp. As in any close quarters, this also means increased risk of communicable diseases. Go over good hygiene practices with your children before they embark upon their new adventure, and instruct them not to share personal items like toothbrushes, water bottles, or towels with other campers. Ensure adequate clothing for a variety of temperatures, plus extra socks and footwear, are packed. All of these items can help prevent dreaded summer colds. Also make sure the camp has a policy in place to screen for illnesses and notify parents during outbreaks of potentially contagious diseases.

For other summer camp health tips, visit Safe Kids Worldwide.

2. Don’t Forget Pets

Animals suffer from the heat, too. Remember to make sure pets have adequate supplies of water and food when you are away, even if just for an afternoon. Make sure your animal has an air conditioned place to retreat to when temperatures begin to climb. Avoid walking dogs on concrete during hot, sunny days – and NEVER EVER leave an animal in a car, even with the windows cracked!

3. Understand Summer Colds and How to Avoid Them

The sun is shining and a sandy beach calls to you. Your vacation plans include BBQs, amusement parks, and summer baseball games, not a summer cold. Even worse, experts suggest summer colds often last longer and occur more frequently than winter colds. Here’s why:

• It’s a different strain of virus: There are 3 common viruses that cause upper respiratory infections in winter: rhino-, corona- and parainfluenza. In the summer, we must also contend with enterovirus.
• Enterovirus is more complicated than other viruses: In addition to normal cold symptoms, enterovirus causes a sore throat, rashes, and even diarrhea and lasts much longer than its winter counterparts.
• Air conditioning encourages infection: Air conditioning recirculates air and removes moisture, which in turn, dries out your nose and throat, providing a more welcoming environment for viruses.
• People don’t take colds seriously in summer: Missing a few days of work isn’t too much of a problem for some people, but missing out on vacation makes many try to tough out their sickness instead. This could lead to a longer illness and a greater chance that others will be exposed.
• Allergies confuse some sufferers: When flowers blossom and the trees are fully green, people are accustomed to suffering allergies. For this reason, many may mistakenly treat their colds with over-the-counter symptom relievers and allergy medications, as opposed to seeking medical advice.
• Prevent Summer Colds by:

• • Washing your hands often.
  • Using hand sanitizer in public places, when handling shared items.
  • Keeping your immune system energized with plenty of sleep.
  • Drinking lots of fluids (water and sports drinks).
  • Eating a balanced diet.

4. Check on Elderly Neighbors and Relatives

Check on older relatives, and be sure they have the resources and ability to endure warmer temperatures. On hot and humid days, older people and those with chronic health problems should stay indoors in cool areas. Those without air conditioners should relocate to cooler places like: senior centers, shopping malls, movie theaters, libraries or community cooling centers. Medications and low-salt diets increase the risk of heat related illness, so be mindful of these situations.

If you suspect someone is suffering from a heat-related illness, get them into a cooler, shaded or air-conditioned area quickly. Encourage the person to shower, bathe or sponge off with cool water if it is safe to do so. Applying a cold, wet cloth to the wrists, neck, and armpits can also help. Offer caffeine-free and alcohol-free beverages only. Call 911 if the victim demonstrates a high body temperature, confusion or combativeness, strong rapid pulse, lack of sweating, dry flushed skin, feeling faint, staggering, or unconsciousness. These are signs of a dangerous and life-threatening condition called heat stroke.

Safety All Year Round

As a biohazard cleaning company, one of Aftermath’s central pillars is safety. Our crews provide discreet, compassionate cleaning services to families and businesses experiencing difficulties on account of unattended death, suicide, communicable disease, or other biohazard situations. While you gear up for some time out of the office, remember, you can contact our technicians 24/7/365 nationwide.