SUMMER HEALTH HAZARDS
LEAVING FOOD OUT
- 1.When you eat outside make sure to keep cold foods cold
- 2.Don’t keep any foods at room temperature longer than 2 hours or 1 hour if it’s warmer
than 90 degrees - 3.Don’t reuse platters that have held raw meat until you wash them thoroughly
MOWING INJURIES
- Thousands of people each year are injured using lawn mowers because sharp bladesA
move fast - Keep your mower in good repair
- Always shut it off before you check problems
- Don’t use your hands to clear debris from the blades
- Protect your eyes, legs, hands & feet
- If you've got a riding mower
1. On slopes, move up and down, not sideways, to avoid tipping over
2. Never let kids ride with you,instead make sure they're inside until you are done
GRILLING
- Simple rules
1.Keep your grill away from buildings & branches
2.Don’t let grease build up
3.Never leave your grill unattended
4.Keep kids & pets away - Does yours use propane?
1. Test for leaks before the season start
2. If you ever smell gas while you’re cooking, get away from the grill & call the fire department
WEST NILE VIRUS
- Mosquitoes are more than a bother & they can spread West Nile virus
- Most people who get the virus have no symptoms at all
- But very serious & sometimes fatal illness can happen in less than 1% of those infected
- The only way to avoid West Nile is to avoid mosquito bites
- Wear mosquito repellent & if weather permits, long pants & long sleeves outside from
dusk to dawn - At home, get rid of standing water in birdbaths, buckets & tire swings because they're
breeding grounds for mosquitos
TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET
- One minute you’re walking barefoot & the next, you’re in pain
- Puncture wounds happen more often in summer, when bare feet meet nails, glass,
toothpicks & seashells - The biggest problem is infection
1. Heat, swelling & drainage are signs that need quick medical attention
2. You may also need to update your tetanus shot
SHOE CHOICES
- Flip-flops are fine for the beach, the pool & the locker room
- But don’t run, walk long distances or play sports in them because you might sprain your ankle
SUNBURN
- Always wear sunscreen
- Avoid the sun’s strongest rays during the middle of the day
- Wear clothes that protect your arms & legs & a hat that shields your face, ears & neck
- Reapply sunscreen every 3 hours, or more often if you get sweaty or swim
- There is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen
- Even a tan is sun damage
EXTREME HEAT
- Hot weather is uncomfortable & it can make you sick
- Take special care with children & the elderly, because their bodies don’t cool as well
- Wear loose clothes, don’t exercise at the hottest part of the day & stay hydrated
- Symptoms of heat-related illness may include cramps, nausea & pale moist skin
- Go to a cooler place, drink fluids & put cool cloths on the skin
- If you are not getting better or if you have more serious symptoms such as high fever,
fast heart rate, warm & dry skin, confusion, change in behavior or convulsions, call 911
POOL RISK
- Teach kids to swim & always watch them closely at the pool & keep pools fenced
- Don’t mix drinking with fun in & around the water because alcohol affects your balance & judgment
OCEAN DANGERS
- Rip currents can pull even strong swimmers out to sea
- Shore breaks happen when waves break directly onto the beach & they can cause spinal
cord injuries in surfers - Choose a beach with a lifeguard, who can tell you about water conditions
- Sneaker waves
1. Are found on the West Coast & come out of nowhere & sweep away people standing
on dry land
2. Although most common in winter, they can strike when weather is sunny & calm - Never turn your back on the ocean.
YOU CAN AVOID SHARKS
- .Avoid being in the water at twilight, when sharks are most active
- Don’t go in the water if you’re bleeding
- Don’t wear shiny jewelry when you swim it could look like fish scales to a shark
- Know that sharks are sometimes near the shore & sandbars can trap them close to the
beach at low tide
LAKES, RIVERS & HOT SPRINGS
- Brain eating Amoeba is a tiny organism lives in lakes, rivers & hot springs
- It enters through your nose & can cause a rare, fatal brain infection
- The only way to prevent infection is to avoid swimming in warm fresh water
- If you do get in the water, don’t put your head under
- You can also reduce the risk by wearing nose clips, especially if you are going to jump in,
which can send water up your nose
HIKING
- Bear attacks are rare but if one sees you & takes notice
1.Make yourself look as big as you can
2 Speak calmly in low tones.
3.Wave your arms slowly so it sees that you’re not prey
4.Avoid direct eye contact with the bear but do watch it to see what it does next
5 Move away,walk slowly, don't run & head sideways
6.Don’t turn your back
7.Never growl or try to sound like a bear
SLEEPING IN A FOREST THAT MIGHT HAVE BEARS
- Do not sleep in the clothes you cooked in
- Keep a flashlight and your bear spray in the tent at night
- Keep pets leashed
- In a backcountry camp, place sleeping areas at least 100 yards away from cooking & food storage areas
- Avoid aromatic foods such as deli meat & fish
- Never place food inside your tent
- Sleep in a tent, not out in the open
- Camp away from trails, berry patches, carcasses or fresh bear sign
- Pack away all garbage & food scraps instead of burying them them
- If a bear enters your camp & behaves in a bold manner & attempts to scare it away are unsuccessful, get to a safe area
A. The bear is likely human habituated & food conditioned & is potentially quite dangerous
B. Report any such incident to the local authorities
BEAR PEPPER SPRAY
- Bear pepper spay has proven very effective at repelling approaching or aggressive bears & reducing the incidence of human injury
- Statistics show that people defending themselves with guns were injured about 50% of the
time while people using bear spray usually escaped injury - Bear spray is a special chemical solution containing 1%-2% capsaicin
- This chemical comes from hot peppers making the solution extremely irritating to the nose, eyes, throat, mouth and lungs
- It temporarily disables the bear but causes no permanent harm
- Bear spray should be discharged only at approaching, charging or aggressive bears
- Do not spray it on backpacks, clothing, tents or people since it's not a repellant like bug
spray is - If you decide to carry bear spray make sure you look for the following attributes in the product you purchase
1. An EPA registration number tells you that the product is a certified bear spray & that testing has shown it to be effective.
2.Bear spray should have a minimum net content of 7.9 ounces & bigger cans are even better
3.The spray should leave the can in an expanding cloud & go out to at least 30 feet.
4.The label should clearly state that the spray is for use on bears - Do not use spray intended as a personal defense product for people
- If you intend to carry bear spray, read the manufacturers instructions closely & follow them
- Mentally rehearse how you would use your bear spray
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More Information About
West Nile Virus
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