Summer Safety Awareness Facts and Tips
Now that the official start of summer with the Summer Solstice has passed us, Strellis and Field wanted to share some summer safety awareness facts and tips to keep you and your loved ones safe during Summer 2020. As we all know, this year has brought us unprecedented times with the COVID-19 pandemic and this has changed how we typically live our lives and enjoy our summers. Therefore, there are even more precautions that need to be taken in order to ensure you and your family’s health and safety during these summer months.
As communities start to reopen, it is important to remember that we all need to do our part to keep ourselves and others safe from COVID-19. Wear a mask or face-covering in public spaces. Also, try to maintain a safe distance of 6 feet between you and others at all times. Stay home if you are feeling sick and try to limit your risk of infecting yourself or others by limiting the number of places you go and people you see. Try outdoor activities such as a social distancing walk or picnic where you can still see others, just at a safe distance.
Water Safety
Swimming, boating, and playing around water are fun outdoor activities to do in the summer; however, there is a high risk of injury associated with these activities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of injury death for children aged 1-4. Furthermore, since many public pools and beaches are closed this summer due to COVID-19, it is even more crucial to follow water safety as there are fewer lifeguards on duty. For example, blow-up pools can be a great way to cool down; however, children must still be constantly supervised as it only takes mere seconds for a child’s lungs to fill with water, no matter the depth of the pool. Make sure any place you decide to swim is properly designated for swimming and try to maintain your social distancing in and out of the water. Do not share goggles or snorkels with others. Also, wear your mask on land, but take it off once you enter the water, as it may be difficult to breathe. If you want to learn more about water safety tips, check out our previous blog post that goes into more detail here.
Beat the Heat and Sun
Everyone wants to be outside enjoying the summer weather, but the heat and sun can pose some serious threats if proper preventative measures are not taken. Heat-related illnesses are best avoided with prevention by staying cool, hydrated, wearing cool clothing, and avoiding direct sun during the hottest parts of the day. According to the CDC, the heat kills more than 600 people in the United States annually. Children ages 1-4 and adults 65 and over are at greater risk when there is extreme heat. Never, ever leave any children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked.
According to the CDC, ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause sunburn in as little as 15 minutes, but it takes up to 12 hours for the sun damage to show on the skin. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a person’s risk of developing deadly melanoma doubles with just 5 sunburns. Wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 and UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB (ultraviolet B) protection every time you and your loved ones go outside, even when it is cloudy. The CDC recommends staying out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are at their highest. If you are outside during these times, make sure you protect yourself with sunglasses, hats, and longsleeved clothing to cover your skin, along with high SPF sunscreen. Try to find shade outside if you can, but still maintain your social distancing.
Prevent Injuries
The summer is a great time for children to play outside and for young adults to make some extra money with a summer job. According to the CDC, young workers, who are defined as ages 15-24 have higher rates of injury on the job compared to adult workers, and approximately every five minutes, a teenager aged 15-19 years old is injured at work. It is important for parents to educate their teens and for teens to educate themselves on their workplace rights and to take proper precautions to prevent any accidents. If you would like to learn more about our workers’ compensation practice, click here.
Playgrounds and parks are a fun way for children to exercise and enjoy the outdoors while maintaining safe social distance, but it is important to practice safety precautions. According to the CDC, emergency departments in the United States treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and below for playground-related injuries yearly. Make sure to check with your local community if parks and playgrounds have reopened. Follow any COVID-19 safety rules, such as wearing facial coverings and only using the equipment if you are healthy. Double-check to make sure that all of the playground equipment is properly maintained and safe to use, and supervise your children on the playground. If you would like to learn more about our premises liability practice, click here.
All of us at Strellis and Field hope these tips and facts can help keep you and your family safe and healthy during this unprecedented summer. If you or a loved one has been injured due to the fault of others, contact us today for a free initial consultation and complete analysis of the circumstances.
