Best. Summer. Ever! 17 Facts and Simple Tips to Keep You Healthy This Summer
Best. Summer. Ever! 17 Facts and Simple Tips to Keep You Healthy This Summer
From barbecues to graduation parties – and don’t forget the fireworks and those beach days – there’s plenty to do during the warmest months of the year. Whether you’re outside and under the sun, indoors and trying to stay cool, or hitting the road for a vacation, the Albany Med Health System has some ideas to keep you and your loved ones healthy and at your best this summer.
When the temperature hits its highest points…
Facts: Heat stroke, the most serious heat-related illness, occurs when the body can no longer regulate its own temperature. The body temperature can rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 15 minutes.
Tips: Drinking plenty of water is a great way to prevent some of the most serious heat-related illnesses. It’s also important to stay cool – if you can, stay indoors in air conditioning or with the windows open and using a fan on hot days. When someone is experiencing the signs of heat stroke or another heat-related illness, call 911 or seek other medical attention immediately.
That sun feels hot today!
Facts: According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Having five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.
Tips: Regular use of sunscreen can go a long way to keep you protected from the sun. The strongest UV rays are typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so make a plan to avoid direct exposure to the sun as much as possible during those times.
Check out additional tips that will keep your skin safe from the sun.
Let’s eat!
Facts: According to the National Fire Protection Association, just under 20,000 people seek treatment per year in the U.S. because of injuries involving grills.
Tips: It may seem simple but keep kids and pets at least three feet away from grill areas. Keep grills clean by removing grease or fat buildup. And, never leave your grill unattended. If you’re putting raw meat, chicken, or seafood on the grill, remember to wash your hands before and after to avoid food poisoning.
Heading to the pool or the beach?
Facts: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the second most common cause of death in children 14 and younger. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, between 2020 and 2021, nonfatal drowning injuries involving children younger than 15 spiked by 17 percent.
Tips: Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards. Swimming with a buddy is recommended, and young children should always be within an arm’s reach. If you’re heading out on a boat, be sure to wear a life jacket!
1…2…3…Jump!
Facts: Trampolines were responsible for nearly 100,000 emergency room visits in one year, according to a 2022 report using data from the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Tips: Think safety first when setting up a trampoline in the yard. Make sure all bolts and springs are tight and in the right position and be sure that the trampoline is on level ground. Jumping too high or flipping upside down dramatically increases the risk of injury. Adding guards or nets on the sides of the trampoline can help to prevent falls and serious injuries.
Being safe is as simple as riding a bike
Facts: Costs from bicycle crash injuries and deaths typically exceed $23 billion each year.
Tips: Wear your helmet! Adults and kids should wear a helmet to protect against scrapes, bruises, and more serious traumatic brain injuries. If you are headed out for a bike ride, be sure to wear visible clothing, specifically when traveling early in the morning or at dusk.
Bonus Tip: In New York State, all children under the age of 14 are required to wear helmets when biking, in-line skating, skateboarding, or riding a scooter. If a child is riding without a helmet, parents could face a $50 fine.
Time to hit the road!
Facts: Between 2016 and 2020, there were 1,390 drivers killed in motor vehicles crashes in the U.S. during the Fourth of July period. 41 percent of those drivers were drunk.
Tips: If you plan to drink, make a plan to get a ride home.
Heading out on a road trip with the family? Avoid preventable injuries by making sure car seats are fastened and properly installed.
The grand finale!
Facts: In 2021 alone, an estimated 11,500 injuries were treated in emergency rooms across the U.S. Nearly three-quarters of those injuries occurred between June 18 and July 18.
Tips: Celebrate summer and the Fourth of July, but be safe with fireworks, even in places where they are legal. The best way to avoid serious injuries such as burns, eye injuries, and more is to let the professionals handle them.
“Kids should never play with fireworks. Illegal fireworks especially are just too dangerous and can misfire, cause serious injuries or start fires,” said Tom Moran, Trauma Education, Injury Prevention, and Outreach Coordinator at Albany Med.
Moran added that even legal fireworks, such as sparklers, can be dangerous. They can burn at temperatures up to 1,800 degrees.