Summer is almost here and the warm weather means we’ll be having our fun outside for a few months. After a winter spent indoors, we finally get to swim, play, exercise, relax, and socialize under the open sky. Unfortunately, all those outside activities mean more opportunities for people to hurt or injure themselves. Although accidents can happen any time of year, some accidents can only happen during the summer, whether it’s a baby falling out of a window or an adult falling off a boat. Even allergies can make your summer miserable. Rather than shut yourself up inside for the season, use common sense to protect yourself and your family from these common potential disasters.
Firework Fear
When I was a kid, I was allowed to ride my bike without a helmet, traipse around the woods barefoot, and stay out all day by myself, but I was never permitted to touch fireworks. Every year, my dad tried to justify his Draconian no-fireworks policy by clipping stories from the newspaper about kids who had blown their fingers off. As much as I huffed and puffed about the injustice of it all, he had a point. Fireworks injure about 10,000 people per year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Most injuries involve the hands, head, and the eyes. My dad was right—kids should not handle fireworks. Even adults can be injured if the fireworks explode prematurely, resulting in blindness, third-degree burns, and permanent scarring. Fireworks can also cause fires when ignited too close to dry grass or brush or if burning embers fall onto houses and cars. Despite being a favorite amusement for Independence Day, fireworks displays are best left to professionals. The rest of us should stick with sparklers.
Pool Peril
The CPSC estimates that about 350 children drown in pools each year and another 2600 are treated in emergency rooms after submersion incidents. Having lockable gates and pool alarms can be useful deterrents for wandering toddlers. Adults aren’t immune from pool injuries, though. Diving into too-shallow pools can cause injuries to the neck and back, which can result in paralysis. In general, most home pools are not deep enough for safe diving, unless they are at least ten feet deep. Large public or private swimming pools usually have a deep end where adults can dive in safely, as well as a lifeguard on duty to monitor kids. Be careful when walking around the edge of any pool, as slippery pavement can cause anyone to trip. Also, it goes without saying that swimming and drinking alcohol is a dangerous combination.
Mower Madness
Lawnmowers injure about 75,000 Americans each year, according to the University of Michigan. Riding as well as push mowers are responsible for injuries such as loss of fingers and toes, and other cuts and lacerations. Mowers can also cause injuries when they hit rocks or other objects on the ground, turning them into projectiles. When operating any mower, it’s important to wear real shoes, not just your favorite flip-flops. Sneakers or other shoes with traction can prevent slipping and potentially getting your feet or toes caught in the mower’s blades. It’s also a good idea to avoid mowing the lawn when the grass is wet, which can make slipping even more likely.
About 22 percent of lawnmower injuries involve hands, so be extremely careful when working on or removing debris from the mower’s blades. Gloves are not a bad investment, both for machine maintenance and operation, since they can give you a better grip on the handle. Adults should also consider wearing protective eyewear whenever they run the mower, to prevent loose objects from damaging the eyes. As much as mowing the lawn is a time-honored chore for adolescents, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids under sixteen not operate any mowers.
