UPMC Mercy Trauma and Burn Center Summer Safety Tips

Summer is the time of year to enjoy outdoor activities. Even though the warmer weather creates opportunities for fun in the sun, it is still important to practice safe summer habits to prevent injury and illness. Practice these summer safety tips to stay healthy this year.

Heat Safety

Doing strenuous outdoor activity early in the morning or later in the evening can help you stay cooler and prevent heat stroke. A heat stroke can be life- threatening, but is preventable. To help avoid heat stroke:

• Drink water or a sports drink before, during, and after physical activity
• Take frequent breaks and rehydrate even if you do not feel thirsty
• Wear lightweight clothing that can breathe while outdoors

Lightning Safety

No place outdoors is safe during a storm. Lightning strikes cause hundreds of permanent disabilities each year. To help stay safe during a storm:

• Find nearby shelter, if possible. If not, find a level or valley area
• Never lie flat on the ground or use a tree or cliff for shelter
• Stay away from things that conduct electricity (wire fences, power lines) and all bodies of water
• If you are in a group of people, spread out

Summer Water Sports and Pool Safety

In 9 out of 10 child-drowning deaths, a parent or caregiver claimed to be watching the child. Young children often don’t make much noise when in danger in the water. Water sports such as waterskiing, parasailing, or snorkeling create safety concerns as well. To help prevent accidental drowning:

• Be in arm’s reach of children at all times
• For at- home pools, separate the yard from the pool with a fence
• Wear a life jacket while playing water sports
• Never go out in the water alone
• Research any water sport you are participating in and make sure the proper equipment is being used

Firework Safety

Nearly 2,000 people make trips to Emergency Departments each Fourth of July. These injuries were the results of improper firework use. To ensure safety around fireworks:

• Leave firework use to the professionals
• Never allow children to use or have fireworks
• Keep a bucket of water close by in case of a fire mishap
• Never re-light or pick up a firework that has fizzled

For more information, contact the UPMC Mercy Trauma and Burn Center at 412-232-8375.