Posted on June 30, 2015
Have fun in the sun with these summer safety tips
Summer means the long-awaited return of time-honored activities, like weekend trips to the lake, family bike rides and other outdoor adventures.
Unfortunately, the end of the school year also signals the start of trauma season, a period when medical facilities and physicians see a rise in serious and fatal unintentional injuries involving everything from motorcycle and lawn mowers to swimming pools and fireworks.
There are steps you can take to lessen your chances of experiencing certain serious injuries, such as sports- and recreation-related concussions, say medical experts.
“Summer is here and it’s time for outdoor fun,” says Dr. Stephen Bloom, Medical Director of Mary Free Bed Concussion Programs. “Biking, water skiing, skateboarding – all great sports, but they do put you at risk for concussion.”
A concussion is a brain injury, “so be safe,” cautions Dr. Bloom.
“Make sure you always wear a properly fitting helmet. Replace it if it gets damaged. Have fun, but know your limitations,” Dr. Bloom says. “Stay alert and be familiar with your surroundings.”
Prompt, professional attention is important in the event of a head injury or suspected concussion.
“If you do have a concussion, seek medical treatment,” says Dr. Bloom. “We want you to be safe and healthy, so you have many more summers of fun!”
Find other actionable summer safety tips from these reliable sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Child-specific summer safety advice
- CDC: Safety advice and fact sheets for all ages
- National Safety Council: Advice for parents on the prevention of the most common summer-related injuries
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Guidelines for best practices for fireworks, playgrounds, skateboards and more. Find specifics on sun and water safety here.
