SUMMERTIME SAFETY TIPS
Summer is here – warm days followed by cool evenings are perfect for being outside. To help you have a safe and enjoyable summer, the Auburn Fire Department hopes you keep the following safety tips in mind.
Wear a helmet and appropriate footwear. Always make sure you are using the correct safety equipment when riding your bicycle, and always obey the rules of the road. If you don’t wear your helmet here are some facts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that may change you mind:
o 630 bicyclists died on US roads in 2009 (718 in 2008, 1,003 in 1975)
o 74 were 14 or younger, a reduction of 58 per cent from the 178 killed in 2000.
o Bicyclist deaths represented 2 per cent of all 2009 traffic fatalities.
o 51,000 bicyclists were injured in traffic in 2009 (Up sharply from 43,000 in 2007)
Stay Hydrated. Everyone is at risk for heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke if he or she does not stay hydrated. Heat related injuries and illnesses do not contain to a specific age, gender or race, it effects everyone who is exposed to the sun.
Here are some helpful tips on staying hydrated:
-
Drink cool water rather than cold water
-
Do not drink juices or sodas, because these drinks contain more than 10% sugar
-
Stay cool by wearing loose fit and light colored clothing
-
Do Not use alcohol as a source of hydration
Protect Yourself Against the Elements.
o No matter what the weather may look like outside always protect your skin with sun block. Everyone is at risk for skin cancer, but especially people with light skin color, light hair or eye color, a family history of skin cancer, chronic sun exposure, a history of sunburns early in life, or freckles, according to the American Cancer Society.
o If you're spending time in tall grass or woody areas, use insect repellent with DEET to ward off mosquitoes and ticks. But insect repellent should not be used on babies, and repellent used on children should contain no more than 10 percent DEET. Check yourself and your children for ticks before bedtime. If you find a tick, remove it with tweezers, drop it in a plastic bag and throw it away. You don't have to save the tick to show it to doctors.
o To keep bees away, wear light-colored clothing and avoid scented soaps and perfumes. Don't leave food, drinks, and garbage out uncovered. If you might suspect an allergic reaction call for help immediately especially if the person who was stung has never been stung before.
Information brought to you by:http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/summersafety/summersafety.htm
Be Fire Aware. As the summer keeps moving along more BBQ’s, parties and camping adventures occur. Be safe and be cognoscente of your grill placement; keep it away from your home, camper or dry vegetation. 5,000 are injured by charcoal/wood-burning and propane grill fires. Fireworks are dangerous and annually just under 8,600 Americans are injured by fireworks! Fireworks are an explosive and needs to be handled with care, not to mention they are still illegal in Maine until 2012 . Finally if you have camp fires please watch the Fire Danger for the day you plan on burning and take all precautions possible to prevent a fire. This including soaking down the area in which you will burn prior to burning, have enough family members around to monitor the fire with you, protect yourself by wearing long sleeves, pants and boots. Finally make sure that when you leave the area, your fire has been completely extinguished.
Information brought to you by: USFA
|
