Summer Safety Tips

Summer means fun in the sun! But be safe — don't let a heat-related illness ruin your day. Always drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks when working or playing in the hot weather.

One of the best ways to stay safe this summer is to wear a helmet and other safety gear when biking, skating and skateboarding, and when riding scooters, all-terrain vehicles, and horses. Studies on bicycle helmets have shown they can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent.

Never bring charcoal grills indoors. Burning charcoal produces deadly carbon monoxide.

If summer plans include camping and you want heat inside your tent or camper on those cool nights, use one of the new portable heaters that are equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS). If oxygen levels start to fall inside your tent or camper, the ODS automatically shuts down the heater before it can produce deadly levels of carbon monoxide (CO). Do not attempt to use alternative sources of heat or power to warm a tent or camper. Traditional camping heaters, charcoal grills, camping lanterns, and gas generators also can cause CO poisoning.

Limit sun exposure, wear protective clothing, and use sunscreen. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapplied at least every two hours. Use water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.

Bee stings can be painful! To keep bees away, wear light-colored clothing and avoid scented soaps and perfumes. Don't leave food, drinks, and garbage out uncovered. Treat a bee sting by scraping the stinger away in a side-to-side motion with a credit card or fingernail, and then washing the area with soap and water. Pulling the stinger or using tweezers may push more venom into the skin. For any bug bite or sting, ice or a cold compress and pain-relieving creams or oral medications can help.

When boating, there should be a life jacket properly sized for each person in the boat along with a throw-able floating preserver. Make sure life jackets are the right size for you and your child. The jacket should not be loose. It should always be worn as instructed with all straps belted. Adults should wear life jackets for their own protection, and to set a good example.

Fireworks can result in severe burns, scars and disfigurement that can last a lifetime. Fireworks that are often thought to be safe, i.e. sparklers, can reach temperatures above 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, and can burn users and bystanders. Parents should attend professional fireworks displays rather than using fireworks at home.