Summer Safety

As summer approaches and the weather gets warmer, it is important to remember the dangers associated with the returning heat. Every year, thousands of workers nationwide suffer from serious heat-related illnesses (HRI).

These illnesses include:

• Heat stroke, the most serious form of heat-related illness, happens when the body is unable to regulate its core temperature. Signs include; confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 911 immediately.
• Heat exhaustion is the body's response to loss of water and salt from heavy sweating. Signs include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, and heavy sweating.
• Heat cramps are caused by the loss of body salts and fluid during sweating. Low salt levels in muscles cause painful cramps.
• Heat rash also known as prickly heat, is skin irritation caused by sweat that does not evaporate from the skin. Heat rash is the most common problem in hot work environments.

*Remember to Stay Cool, drink plenty of fluids and check your local news for extreme heat alerts.

In summer, we are exposed to higher levels of ultraviolet (UV) rays. This exposure is a risk factor for developing skin cancer and cataracts later in life. The UV index is the measure commonly used to assess the strength of the sun’s UV rays risk on a given day.

How to protect yourself & family from the sun?

• Wear a hat, sunglasses and protective clothing on sunny days.
• Use sunscreen with a SPF of 25 or greater and apply 15 minutes before going outdoors.
• When sun’s ray are the strongest, seek shade or take periodical breaks.
• Remember that sunburn can occur even on a cloudy day, as up to 80 per cent of UV rays can penetrate light clouds, and 40 per cent of UV rays can bounce back from sand, water or concrete.

Summer Water safety Tips: 

Spending time in and around water is lot of fun, however when the unthinkable happens and a child drowns, parents and caregivers have been know to say, " I only looked away for a second."

Here are water safety tips:

1. All ways supervise your child around body of water.
2. Ensure your backyard pool is fully fenced with a self-closing, self-latching gate
3. When boating, ensure everyone in the boat has their lifejacket on and fastened
4. Play with care — don’t push or jump on others. Even the friendliest “dunking” game is dangerous
5. Never underestimate the power of current: Swimmers or waders can be swept away in an instant
6. Get trained through swimming and water safety lessons; get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card if you operate a boat; know how to respond in an emergency by taking first-aid lessons.