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Tips for Summer Safety
Practice these tips to keep you and your family safe this summer.
By Lyndsay Fogarty
W
hen you’re on vacation it’s easy to forget that you are not immune to accident, injury or illness. You’re busy having fun with loved ones. So why would you even think something bad could happen? Here, we discuss five things to do to make sure your vacation is both fun and safe this summer. 1. Don’t drink and drive. This seems like a no-brainer. Of course you take an Uber or Lyft when you go out with plans to consume alcohol. However, this doesn’t only refer to driving a car. Don’t even think about operating any type of vehicle when you’re under the influence, including boats or other types of watercraft, scooters, golf carts and even bicycles. 2. K now the signs of heat-related illnesses from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heat exhaustion presents with heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, a fast and weak pulse, nausea or
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Central Florida Lifestyle | July 2020
vomiting, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache and fainting. While you can relieve these symptoms by moving to a cool place, loosening clothes, sipping water or putting cool, wet cloths on your body, you should seek medical attention immediately if you’re throwing up, if your symptoms worsen or if they last longer than an hour. Individuals experiencing heat stroke have a body temperature of 103ºF or higher; hot, red, dry or damp skin; a fast, strong pulse; headache, dizziness and nausea; confusion; and loss of consciousness. Heat stroke is a medical emergency, so call 9-1-1 immediately. While waiting for medical professionals to arrive, move the person to a cooler place and help lower their temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Never give someone with heat stroke anything to drink. 3. Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to and know the difference between beach warning flags so you don’t enter the water during dangerous conditions.
