Want to stay out of the emergency room this summer? I know I do. Across the United States, emergency care facilities see nearly a twenty percent jump in traffic during the summer months… and now that I think about it, the majority of my ER visits have been during the summer.
Knowing is half the battle… preparation and prevention is the other half. (Sorry, G.I. Joe!) Here are some things you can do to make the summer months safer and healthier.
- Always drink plenty of water. Dehydration is a huge health issue during the summer months!
- Always wear sunscreen. Yes, I say this often… and I’m going to keep saying it. Most sunburns won’t send you to the ER, but heatstroke will. Don’t overdo your vitamin sunshine.
- Know your first aid basics. Learn how to identify a broken bone, a concussion, and other injuries that require an emergency room visit. Know how to treat minor injuries like sprains, scrapes, and bruises.
- Know your allergies. If you are allergic to a certain type of insect sting, make sure you do what you can to keep that particular bug far away from your body. (Most of my childhood ER visits were thanks to a severe allergy to mosquito bites and bee stings.)
- Make sure your sports equipment — bikes, skates, helmets, and more — is in good, working condition. Give your toys a tune-up and make sure helmets and other safety gear still fits correctly. This can help prevent a whole host of accidents that could land you or a loved one in the emergency room.
- Always swim with a lifeguard — whether it’s a trained guard at the beach or pool or just an adult designated to keep a close eye on the kids. Even children who have been swimming for years can tire and drown in a swimming pool. Keep more than just an ear on what’s happening in the water.
- Prevent repetitive motion injuries with cross-training. Don’t always do the same activities every day — develop different muscles with different games and exercises.
What summer health and safety tips would you add to the list?