NAVIGATION

Summer Safety Tips

Martin SPRINGER, Emergency Medicine Physician

Get out your shorts, T-shirts and sunscreen because summer is right around the corner.

 Summer is everyone’s favorite time of the year. We get to enjoy the summer sunshine and great weather which of course means more time having fun outdoors. While this time of year is a lot of fun it is also important to be on guard and prepared because summer is also the most common time for children to get injured.

No expects an emergency to happen but when one does it is good to be prepared. In fact, being prepared for and knowing how to respond to an emergency is your best defense to combating an emergency situation no matter where you are living in the world.

Here are some helpful tips so you can spend more time outdoors in the sun this summer and less time in the Emergency Room.


Water Safety

–  Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.

–  Make sure adults are trained in life-saving techniques and CPR so they can rescue a child if necessary.

–  Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm’s length providing touch supervision.

–  Teach your children water safety rules:

–  Never swim alone.

–  Never dive into the water except when allowed by an adult who knows the depth of the water and has checked for underwater objects.

–  Always use a life jacket when on a boat.

 

Bicycle Safety

–  When riding, wear a helmet at all times.

–  Helmets are standard equipment for any bike rider. For proper fit, the helmet should fit squarely on top of a person’s head. It should not be tipped back. When pulled or pushed, a properly fitted helmet does not move around the head or slide over the eyes

–   Make sure the bike has a way to prevent feet getting entangled in the spokes.

–  Use hand signals when turning or stopping.

–  Look both ways when crossing the road.

–  Ride with traffic on the right side of the road.

 

Where and How To Get Help

–   To be prepared keep important phone numbers, contact information, and addresses in your phone.

–   Emergency help can be reached by calling our 24hr Emergency Hotline: 5927 7120

–   If an ambulance is needed UFH can help dispatch one to you.

You never know when an emergency may arise! Being prepared and knowing where to go for help might just help you if you are ever faced with an emergency situation.

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