Summer Safety Tips

Heat Related Illness Do not leave children or pets unattended in automobiles. Temperatures inside automobiles can quickly exceed 130 degrees. Children and pets can be quickly overcome in a few minutes. Avoid heat overexposure. Summer temperatures can cause heat stress, exhaustion, or stroke. When exercising, be sure to maintain proper hydration by consuming water. Avoid using alcohol-based drinks. Do not sunburn. Overexposure to the sun can lead to higher rates of skin cancers later in life. Use sunscreens and reapply often based upon manufacturers’ recommendations. Swimming safety tips Do not jump or dive into unknown waters. Diving accidents can occur when jumping or diving into water of unknown depth Underwater structures may be unseen. Swim in approved areas and preferably in areas that offer lifeguard observation. Avoid swimming in stagnant or unclean waters.  In all freshwater lakes, the possibility exists of contracting a fatal infection of the brain from the presence of amoebae in the water.  The risk of this is extremely rare, however, the risk increases as water temperatures exceed 86 degrees or in water that is stagnant.  The use of nose plugs, while offering some protection, has not been proven scientifically to be effective in preventing infection. Seek shelter during thunderstorms.  Summertime in Florida brings afternoon thunderstorms, some of which produce strong lightning activity.  These storms can develop and move rapidly across an area.  Do not seek shelter under trees or other potential lightning targets.  Food Protection Always wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling food and between handling raw and cooked foods. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. With the increasing heat of the summer months, bacterial growth in food can be rapid. Keep all perishable foods hotter than 140 degrees Fahrenheit or less than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Use only approved flammables to light charcoal. The use of other materials, such as gasoline is a severe safety hazard and should not be used. Mosquito Borne Diseases The summer months increase the potential of infection of encephalitis from viruses carried by mosquitoes, including Eastern Equine, St. Louis and West Nile viruses. Ensuring the following may reduce the risk of infection: Avoid unprotected outdoor activity at dusk and dawn (when mosquitoes are most active) Use DEET repellants (and permethrin sprays as directed by the manufacturer). Dress to cover skin with long sleeve shirts and pants if outside when mosquitoes are feeding. Drain potential mosquito breeding sites from around your home.