Diamond Author
Pleasant weather brings us out in droves to enjoy the sun and outdoor activities. However, it can also end up sending us to the emergency room. Thankfully, tips like the following are common sense and can let us enjoy ourselves in safety.
1) Beach:
Rip Current: If you find yourself caught in rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of it or the lifeguard can get to you. Always swim near a manned lifeguard tower, because they can warn you if these powerful currents are present as well as because they can help you if you run into problems.
Stingers: Jellyfish and stingrays can both cause painful stings when encountered. Some jellyfish can also be deadly. If you know they are in the water, follow the lifeguards instructions to avoid problems.
Sand Collapse: It's fun to dig holes and make tunnels in sand, but a number of people, mostly children, have died when they suddenly collapsed. It's best to avoid the problem in the first place; don't let your kids dig deeply or create tunnels.
2) Bikes, Etc. It's fun to ride bicycles, skateboards, skates and scooters, but some protection is required. Many states require helmets, at least for children. It's a good idea for everyone. Knee, wrist and elbow pads are also wise.
3) Fire: If you live in a fire prone area, lighting a campfire outside of a designated fire ring is probably illegal, and it's definitely a bad idea. Under certain weather conditions, even in fire rings it can be dangerous. If you aren't sure, ask a ranger. As Smokey says, "Only you can prevent wild fires..."
4) Food: Food poisoning can put a dampener on summer fun. It's best to make sure that what you are going to eat is in an ice chest before and immediately after eating. Foods with mean, eggs, mayo and other perishable ingredients need to be kept at safe temperatures to prevent spoiling. As an example of how fast things can go bad, we had ham out for a picnic and it was spoiled inside half an hour.
5) Hiking: Never hike alone, always carry water, a knife and a first aid kit. There are hiker's kits available at most sport's goods stores. Dress appropriately for the conditions.
6) Insects: Bee stings, bug bites and chiggers, oh my. No thanks, too. Insect repellent is a good start, as is appropriate clothing. Just by wearing a hat, you may avoid tick bites. Long pants, long socks and long sleeved shirts may help prevent chiggers. Avoiding tall grass is another way to avoid the nasty critters.
If you're stung, use a paste of baking soda and water to help remove the venom. If that's not available, ask if there's a smoker around. Damp tobacco placed on it can also act as a drawing agent. For bites, wipe them off with rubbing alcohol. There are also anti-itch pads in most hiker's first aid kits. Paint nail polish over chigger bites to stop them from biting you more.
7) Pool: In most states, a five foot fence with self latching gate is required around all pools. Even if that's there, never take your eyes off of kids in the pool, as things can go wrong quickly. Rescue equipment and/or someone who knows how to swim should be present when anyone under fourteen is in the water. You may also want to check that the drain cover isn't going to pose a problem. The suction can be enough to hold someone under water in some cases.
A good summer is a safe one. By working together, we can ensure that only good memories are left behind when the time rolls around for school to start again.
About this Author
For more information about home remedies, you can visit my site: http://healing-home-remedies.com/. There are blogs and articles about many herbs and the conditions they may help. Subjects include stress, back pain, the flu, gout and cholesterol. You can also download my free report, the Top Ten Herbs. The report discusses the uses, side effects, precautions and interactions of popular herbs. My eBooks, also found on the site, contain information about foods and herbs that can help you deal with the problems life throws our way. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at: mary@healing-home-remedies.com. Mary Bodel, MH
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