Summer Safety Issues
Summer presents certain safety issues that need to be addressed. These issues can range from exposure to the sun to the dangers of swimming while intoxicated. With the onset of warmer weather, people tend tohead outdoors and flock to the beaches and other sources of water. So, water safety is the number one summer safety issue.
Water Safety
Be sure to pay attention to all warnings that have been posted near the swimming area. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. You can sign up for swim lessons at your local YMCA or your local public pool. Just find a way to learn how to swim. You'll feel better about yourself and you may actually be able to save your life or even save someone else from drowning, just by knowing how to swim. You should also know basic CPR. Contact your local Red Cross or your local hospital for more information. Don't mix alcohol and swimming. Alcohol impairs your judgement, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm. Do not drive a boat after you have been drinking. It is illegal and very dangerous!
Summer Heat
With summer comes the heat. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. Surprisingly, it doesn't need to get to 100 degrees outside in order for you to have problems with the heat. Fortunately, the body does have a natural way to keep itself cool. By letting heat escape through the skin and by perspiring, our bodies control their own little air conditioning systems. However, If our bodies do not cool off properly or they do not cool off sufficiently, we can suffer a heat-related illness. Anyone can be susceptible to this but the very young and very old are at a much greater risk. Heat-related illnesses can become serious or even deadly if unattended. Be sure to keep very young and very old people out of the direct sun and heat as much as possible. Also be sure to use sunscreen in order to avoid sunburns.