In 1996, the National Safety Council (NSC) established June as National Safety Month in the United States. The goal of Summer Safety Month is to increase public awareness of the leading safety and health risks that are increased in the summer months to decrease the number of injuries and deaths at homes and workplaces.
Anyone can be at risk for a heat-related illness. Follow these summer safety tips, like taking extra breaks and drinking lots of water (the best thing to drink and if you’re like me and not crazy about room temperature water than try with ice in it which to me tastes a lot better).
Moderating your exposure to heat goes beyond reapplying sunscreen and covering up. You will want to take extra steps to avoid being outside for long periods in the sun and heat, especially during the peak hours of strongest ultraviolet (UV) rays, during the hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The following are summer safety tips to prevent you and your family from going to the emergency room & stay safe!
The most important TIP is always beat the HEAT. To do that you avoid strenuous exercise on particularly hot days. To watch out for heat exhaustion look for dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headache, & confusion.
Some further tips for National Safety that is the month of June:
1. Stay hydrated; Dehydration is another safety concern during the summer months. Be sure to drink enough liquids throughout the day, as our bodies can lose a lot of water through perspiration when it gets hot out.
2-Remember to always have adult supervision for children. Whether they’re in the pool or playing in the sand at the on the beach at the seashore, having someone who can help them — should an emergency arise — if essential. You should always have a first aid box in REACH.
3-Not only can injuries happen, but in heat exhaustion and dehydration that can happen more often in the summer months due to the high temperature the season has. It helps to be conditioned to the activities in which we’re preparing to engage. Warm up, stretch, gear up, go with a buddy, and remember to cool down and stretch afterwards.
4-The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light can harm the eyes. Wear sunglasses year-round whenever you are out in the sun.
Sun damage to the eyes can occur any time of year. Choose shades that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB light that are especially highier in the summer; since we have most sunshine in the summer. This will bring us to the next tip.
5-Use a sunscreen 30 minutes before going out. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours – between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Stay in the shade more often during the peak intensity hours but for some people who may have pale skin, skin cancer history, or vision problems, etc… stay in the shade whenever possible.
6-Never leave children alone around water. Always designate an adult to watch kids in or around the water. Alsways helpful is to learn how to swim but never swim alone.
7-Beware of bugs; by using an insect repellent that contains citronella or DEET. Change clothes and wash off repellent when you come inside. Avoid bug-infested areas such as tall grass and still water.
8-First, it is important to understand that In 2020, injuries related to slips, trips and falls account for 22 per cent of injuries. Of disabling injuries related to slips, trips and falls injuries from 2016 to 2020:
• The majority were due to workers falling (83 per cent), with nearly 57 per cent of falls occurring to a floor, walkway or other surface.
• Twenty-three per cent occurred in the provincial and municipal government, education and health services sector, followed by another 20 per cent in the construction and construction trade services sector. (Government of Alberta Workplace injury, illness and fatality statistics provincial summary 2020)
** Also keep in mind in 2021, slips, trips and falls remain as one of the top 3 causes of all injuries in the continuing care and senior supportive living communities, and they can have a tremendous impact on the injured workers as well as their co-workers, families, and the people they care for.
Slips and trips happen in the workplace for many reasons, that is why it is important to also know the key factors that increase your chances of sustaining an injury, in order to reduce your risk. Know your environment and keep it clean, free of clutter, and again hydrate to prevent dizziness from the heat this time of year. This month and next month with even August can put you at high risk for heat exhaustion! Not hydrating with water puts you at risk for orthostatic hypotension (changing positions from sitting or lying down to standing and becoming dizzy. This is a high potential of occurring especially if not hydrated in hot temperatures, especially the elderly.