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| Employee Health & Wellness |
| Summer Safety Tips |
Summertime is typically a season for outdoor activities, celebrations, barbeques and beach fun. These activities are all traditions, it is important to remember some fundamental tips to make your summer a healthy and safe one.
Sunburn:
To make sure that your barbeque is the only thing that’s roasting, the following steps should be taken to limit your skin’s exposure to sun:
- Apply sunscreen (SPF 15+) to all areas of the body -45 minutes before venturing outdoors. Don’t forget those areas covered by clothing - most clothing only offers 3–5 SPF.
- Wear wide-brimmed hats serve to protect your face and head
- Wear sunglasses with built-in UV protection to shield eyes from glare and radiation
- Monitor your sun exposure when outside
- Avoid being outdoors between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm whenever possible. This is when the sun’s UV rays are at their strongest.
- Avoid direct sunlight and opt for shade, such as trees or shelters
Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke:
Prolonged exposure to the heat of the summer months can lead to dangerous heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. To minimize your risk and keep cool this summer:
- Drink plenty of water to keep your body well hydrated
- Stay in cooler, shady areas whenever possible
- Dress in loose fitting clothing
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
Water Safety:
The importance of water safety can not be underestimated. Keep yourself and your family safe this summer by:
- Never permitting children or poor swimmers to swim or play near water unsupervised.
- Restricting access to water: safety fencing around backyard pools and pool alarms that sound when something (or someone) enters the water can be lifesaving devices.
- Use life jackets and other water safety drives whenever possible
- Keep an eye out for ocean riptides and rough seas – they can be a challenge for even the strongest swimmers
Food Poisoning:
The increasing temperature of the summer months lends to quick spoilage of perishable foods. To keep bacterial growths in food in check and minimize the occurrence of food poisoning:
- Keep all perishable foods either hot (greater than 140 degrees) or cold (less than 45 degrees)
- Cool foods items that have been allowed to warm up or hot food items that have cooled to the temperature of the surrounding air should be promptly discarded
- Never attempt to refrigerate or reheat foods once they have been sitting out
Mosquitoes:
Mosquitoes have been known to cause encephalitis in individuals of all ages, and can be carriers of several viruses including the Eastern Equine and West Nile viruses. To reduce your risk of infection by mosquitoes:
- Avoid being outdoors during dusk and dawn when the pest population is at its peak
- Use DEET repellants when outdoors
- Wear long sleeve shirts and pants during prime mosquito feeding times.
Driving / On the Road:
As the tourist season kicks into gear, summertime traffic hits a peak and roads become laden with out-of-town guests. Keep yourself safe on the road this season:
- Drive defensively
- Pay special attention to out-of-town drivers – they will not know the area well and may cut across traffic or make sudden swerves to avoid missing their next turn
- Give yourself extra time while traveling to avoid getting stuck in unexpected, heavy traffic
- Check your car’s equipment (lights, brakes, etc.) to make sure they are in proper working order
- Don’t accept or make calls on your cell phone while driving. If you must use your phone, purchase a hands-free device so you can keep your attention on the road.
Taking the necessary steps to keep yourself safe this season will help make your summer more enjoyable and stress-free, and will keep you on the path to good health. For more safety tips and for information on maintaining a safe workplace environment for your employees, contact our Human Resource Department.
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