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Summer Safety
SUMMER SAFETY SUMMER SAFETY
By Weston District Fire Chief Todd Draizin
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As temperatures heat up and summer quickly approaches, it’s important to take extra precautions to stay safe while working or enjoying the outdoors. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke is especially important to help prevent heat-related illnesses. As many of us venture outside to enjoy various recreational activities, following simple safety guidelines while swimming, boating, riding bikes, or enjoying summer fun can help keep families safe.
In 2019, the heat was the third leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US, claiming the lives of 83 people. Heat exhaustion results when the body loses excessive amounts of water and salt, usually due to profuse sweating. People most at risk for heat-related illnesses are infants and young children (especially if left alone in hot vehicles), people ages 65+, people with chronic illnesses or health conditions, and overweight people. Common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include excessive sweating, pale and moist skin, muscle cramps or weakness, dizziness or fainting, rapid heart rate, and nausea or vomiting. Heatstroke can occur when a person’s internal body temperature exceeds 103 degrees. Common signs of heatstroke may include headache, rapid breathing, flushed, dry or hot skin, no sweating, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. If you suspect someone is suffering from heatstroke, call 911 immediately. Make efforts to move the person to a cool place and cool the skin with cold water as much as possible. Monitor the person’s breathing and be prepared to give CPR if the person stops breathing.
To ensure your family stays safe while enjoying the summer fun, parents and caregivers need to be reminded about some simple safety tips to help prevent injuries. Children should be actively supervised by a responsible adult while swimming. Adults should avoid common distractions such as cell phones, books, magazines, or consuming alcohol while actively watching children in and around the water. If your summer adventures take you or your family out on a boat, be sure there is a life jacket available for each person. Consider having additional supplies such as a first aid kit in case of emergency. While riding on bikes, always be sure to follow the rule of the road, wear a helmet, and check bicycle equipment to make sure it’s in good condition before riding. Avoid riding at night whenever possible, and be sure to wear bright-colored clothing and use bike lights to help make you more visible to drivers. To help protect the skin, wear sunscreen outdoors and reapply as needed. Consider wearing a hat or other lightweight clothing and use bug spray to help avoid insect bites. To avoid heat-related illnesses, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, avoid outdoor activity during the hottest times of the day, and take time to rest in the shade or other cool areas as needed.
While the summer heat does bring about an increase in the potential for heat-related illnesses and injuries, the good news is that there are a variety of simple prevention strategies we can implement into our summer plans to help keep our families safe. To learn more about how to keep your family safe, please join us for our upcoming Summer & Fireworks Safety class on June 10th at 7:00 pm. Registration is free and available at https://bsofirerescuepubliceducation.as.me.
⊲ For more information, please contact District
Chief Todd Draizin at Weston Fire Station #81 at 954-389-2015 or by email at
