Bulletins

Summer Safety Tips

Now that the school year has ended, we are all looking towards summer with excitement and dreams of . . . . fun, sun and relaxation. Consider the following summer safety tips on all your ventures.

Children Safety

• Never leave children unattended in or near the water. (Drowning is the second leading cause of death from unintentional injuries for youth aged 5 to 24, according to the National Safety Council.)
• Don't rely on floatation devices and inflatable toys for water safety. These devices could suddenly shift position, lose air, or slip out from underneath, leaving the child in a dangerous situation.
• Make sure children always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or scooter, rollerblading or skateboarding. The helmet should fit snug, but not too tight.
• Protect skin from excessive exposure to sun (especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.). Use a sun screen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15.
• Supervise children whenever they use play equipment, and make sure children stay clear of the front and back of swings while in use.
• Keep children away from areas where any lawn mowers are being used. Never allow children to ride on mowers.
• Minimize the risk of bee and insect stings by having children wear shoes and light-colored clothing.
• Know the plants in your area/yard, and teach your child not to pick or eat anything without first checking with an adult. Know the phone number for your local Poison Center (for Madison it is 262-3702) and if you suspect a possible poisoning call the Poison Center immediately. The general Poison Center number is 1-800-815-8855.
• Keep children away from grills and bonfires and always have water or a fire extinguisher or water present when fire is involved.

Picnic Safety

Insect Stings

• If you have known allergies to insect stings, be sure to carry your insect sting kit.
• If stung, use a tweezers to grasp the stinger where it enters the skin and carefully remove. Swab the site with disinfectant. To reduce pain and swelling, apply ice, calamine lotion or a baking soda paste to the sting. Seek emergency care if you experience any breathing problems, swelling of the lips or throat, faintness, confusion, rapid heartbeat or hives.
• Avoid wearing clothing with floral patterns that may attract insects.
• If you have no known allergies to insect repellent, it can be used to help avoid insect stings.
• Remember that some insects like sweet foods, like sodas, so keep your soda cans covered while unattended or you may end up with a mouthful!

Ticks:

If you find a tick, remove it by pulling steadily and firmly. Grasp the tick with fine-tipped tweezers, as close to the skin as possible, and pull slowly. Wash area and apply antiseptic or antibiotic ointment. Watch area for infection and see your physician if you see signs of a rash in that area.

Itch-causing Plants:

If you come into contact with poison ivy, oak or sumac, wash your skin immediately to reduce any allergic reaction. Also wash any clothing items that might have touched the plant (including shoes and gloves). Rashes usually begin within 48 to 72 hours after exposure. The skin may be itchy, and might become reddened. Hive-like swelling can also occur. Calamine lotion and over-the-counter creams containing hydrocortisone may help.

Foods:

Keep cold foods cold. Dairy foods especially should be kept cold to avoid food poisoning. Do not store perishable foods in the car where temperatures are usually hotter than outside the car.

Grills:

Keep barbecue grills far away from anything that can burn including your home, cars, dry vegetation, etc. Stay with the grill and keep children away.

Pet Safety

• Always ensure plenty of fresh water to all animals in hot weather. Dogs sweat by panting and through the pads of their paws. Evaporation from the wet surfaces of their mouth and nose helps lower body temperature but greatly increases the amount of water they need for proper hydration.
• Never leave your pet in a parked car, not even if you crack the windows open or park in the shade. Temperatures inside a car are usually hotter than outside the car. On a 70 degree day the interior temperature of your car can rise to above 150 degrees in minutes. This causes many needless deaths each year.
• Watch out for hot pavement and sand which can burn animals paws.
• Pets can get sunburn too, especially short-haired animals (or long-haired animals that have been shaven).
• Do not encourage exercise during the hottest part of the day.
• Always be on the lookout for signs of heatstroke - rapid panting, hot skin, twitching muscles and a dazed look are all signs of overheating. To cool off pets quickly, wrap them in a towel soaked with tepid water.