Prevent summer’s top dangers with these 5 tips.

Summer is just around the corner, the school year will be over soon and children will have more time for bike rides, BBQs, the beach and swimming pools. The warm weather offers many opportunities to have fun with the people you care about, but it is also important to make safety a top priority. Whether you’re walking in the woods, playing in the back yard, keeping your family safe will make the summer even better.

To help you get the most out of these longer days and nicer weather, here are a few friendly reminders to help avoid common safety dangers during summer activities.

Head injury

No matter what you’re doing, wear a helmet! It’s best to know the safety rules before you take on any activity and take a lesson, especially if you’re a beginner. I’ll never forget my mom joined a friend on a bike marathon through NYC. Long story short she fell off her bike and smacked her head really hard and had to be rushed to the emergency room. Fortunately the damage was not too severe , because her head was protected by a helmet!

Heatstroke

Keeping cool during the hot summer months is important and not to be taken lightly. Stay hydrated with plenty of water and stop what you’re doing if you become discombobulated or stop sweating. Dry skin is your body’s way of warning you that you are overheated.

Keep the inside air clean

Before turning on air conditioning units for the first time this season,  check  for mold and dirt that could have built up during the winter. Dirty filters can also contribute to weaker airflow.

When cleaning air conditioning units, it is also important to take the proper safety precautions to prevent any mold or dirt from entering your body. This can be accomplished by wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth, covering eyes with safety goggles, covering hands with rubber gloves, and allowing your filter to dry before re-inserting it into an electrified window unit. Creating a cleaning routine for your AC window units will help make the air in your home safer to breathe; especially for any family members who might have a respiratory condition.

Lyme Disease

Protect yourself, especially when walking in the woods, wear long sleeves, a hat and pants. Use an insect repellent with a DEET concentration of 20 percent or higher. Don’t forget to check clothing, skin and hair for ticks when you get home.

Sunburn

UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. Exercise good sun protection habits for yourself and especially children, they are unlikely to remember to reapply lotion. Go to the doctor if your sunburn results in blistering or is accompanied  by nausea, confusion, headache, extreme pain or chills. You should also head to the doctor if at-home remedies such as applying aloe vera or taking a pain reliever like ibuprofen does not help.