The ABCs of Summer Safety

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The ABCs of Summer Safety
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Summer has arrived!

• Picnics, summer sports, and vacations are lots of
  fun, but sometimes have unexpected consequences.
  But, with a little pre planning you can prevent
  most summer-related accidents and injuries. To
  help you start your planning, we are presenting
  the ABCs of Summer Safety, 26 tips to keep you
  and your family safe and healthy this summer.

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Amusement Parks

• Dont get lost in the crowd-
• Select a meeting place ahead of time in case
  someone gets lost
  
• Carry photos of your children
• Instruct your children to go to a park employee
  if they are in trouble and NEVER go with
  strangers

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Bicycles

• Peddle power rules-
• Always wear an approved helmet
• Learn and obey traffic rules
• Dont perform stunts on your bicycle
• Periodically maintain your bicycle to make sure
  it is working properly

5
Camping

• Practice fire safety in the woods-
• Pitch your tent well away from your campfire
• Use battery-powered lanterns inside your tent
• Pour water over or cover your camp fire with dirt
  before going to sleep or leaving the campsite

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Driving Trips

• During long road trips, always -
• Get plenty of rest before you depart
• Keep your cars temperature cool
• Use your seatbelts child safety seats
• Play the radio
• Stop every two hours to stretch your legs
• NEVER drink and drive

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Electrical Storms

• If you are inside-
• Close your windows and doors and keep away from
  them
  
• Unplug all electrical appliances
• Dont touch electrical items or the telephone
• Dont take a bath or use faucets
• If you are outside-
• Seek shelter in a building or vehicle

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Fireworks

• Celebrate the 4th of July by-
• Going to a public fireworks display put on by
  professionals
  
• Never picking up or touching found fireworks

9
Grilling

• When cooking outdoors-
• Keep barbecue grills away from anything that can
  burn, such as your house, car and dry vegetation
  
• Never attempt to light a grill with gasoline
• Stay with the grill when it is lighted
• Always cook meats thoroughly
• 160ºF for Hamburgers and ribs
• 165ºF for Poultry
• 180ºF for Poultry parts

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Hurricanes

• Prepare by-
• Knowing your communitys emergency plans, warning
  signals, evacuation routes, and locations of
  emergency shelters
  
• Stocking your home with food and emergency
  supplies and filling your car with gasoline
  
• Listening to the radio or television for weather
  updates, disaster warning signals, and evacuation
  instructions

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Insects

• To relieve insect stings-
• Scrape the area to remove the stinger
• Use ice to reduce any swelling
• Apply an over-the-counter antihistamine lotion
• Seek medical care immediately if you are allergic

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Jet Skis

• Ride your jet skis responsibly-
• Take a safe boating course
• Stay clear of swimming areas
• Yield to boats since they are less maneuverable
• Wear protective equipment such as eye protection,
  sun protection, a personal floatation device, and
  deck shoes

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Kayaks

• Stay afloat while kayaking-
• Wear a personal floatation device
• Always paddle in groups of 3 or more
• Dress for the swim, not the air and carry an
  extra layer of clothing with you
  
• Know your river and stay as far away from
  strainers (submerged trees/posts) as possible

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Lyme Disease

• Keep bug-free while in brushy, wooded, or tall
  grassy areas-
  
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and
  sneakers or hiking boots
  
• Tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants
  into your socks
  
• Use an approved tick repellant on your clothes
• Check your skin carefully for ticks and remove
  them immediately

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Motor Cycles

• For an easy ride-
• Wear a certified helmet, eye protection, a sturdy
  jacket and pants, gloves, and over-the-ankle
  boots
  
• Take a 20-hour Motorcycle Rider Course or an
  Experienced Rider Course offered by the
  Motorcycle Safety Foundation

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Neighborhood Safety

• Warn your children about unacceptable play areas,
  such as-
  
• Construction sites
• Railroad tracks
• Dumpsters
• Busy streets

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Ozone

• On ozone action days-
• Avoid mowing the lawn
• Dont idle your car unnecessarily
• Refuel your car or lawn mower after dark
• Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation

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Playgrounds

• Check playgrounds daily and-
• Repair or replace equipment with sharp edges,
  rough surfaces, and loose or broken parts
  
• Remove poisonous plants
• Remove glass, litter, and large rocks

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eQuip Your First Aid Kit

• Keep the following first-aid essentials on hand
  to help relieve aches, pains, and stings-
  
• Aspirin, acetaminophen
• Adhesive tape and bandages
• Antibacterial cream
• Syrup of ipecac
• Antacid

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Roller Blades

• Rules for wheeling around-
• Wear a properly fitting helmet, knee and elbow
  pads, and wrist guards
  
• Dont skate in areas with high pedestrian or
  vehicle traffic
  
• Never skitch (hold on to a moving vehicle)

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Soccer

• Get your kicks and more-
• Wear safety gear such as shin guards and shoes
  with molded cleats or ribbed soles
  
• Anchor and pad goal posts
• Always stretch and warm up before beginning play
• Learn how to head the ball to avoid head and
  neck injury

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Tornadoes

• If you are indoors-
• Stay indoors with the doors and windows shut
• Go to a small interior room or stairwell on the
  lowest floor of your home
  
• Crouch under large heavy furniture and protect
  your head with cushions or mattresses
  
• If you are outdoors, immediately seek shelter in
  a building or low, dry spot (ravine/ditch)

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Ultraviolet Light

• Protect your eyes and skin from the sun-
• Avoid outdoor activities during midday (10 a.m.
  4 p.m.)
  
• Wear protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed
  hat, long-sleeved shirt, pants, and sunglasses
  
• Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and
  reapply it often

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Vacation Safety

• When on vacation-
• Let someone know your destination and your
  itinerary in case you need to be contacted
  
• Be sure you have sufficient finances available
  (cash, credit cards, travelers checks)
  
• Know the hotel or motel security measures so you
  know what to do and what to expect

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Water Sports

• To prevent pool accidents-
• Install an appropriate fence to prevent children
  from having direct access to the pool
  
• Always supervise children while they are swimming
  or playing in water
  
• Swim with a buddy
• Learn CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation)

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eXtreme Heat

• Use common sense-
• Never leave infants, children, or pets in a
  parked car
  
• Limit your physical activity until you become
  accustomed to the heat
  
• Increase your fluid intake on warm days
• Stay cool indoors

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Yard Safety

• Back yard basics-
• Always supervise children
• Make sure all fences and gates are secure
• Remove poisonous plants
• Lock up gasoline, pool chemicals, insecticides,
  herbicides, etc.

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Zoonotic Disease

• Never approach an unfamiliar animal, if you do
  get bitten or scratched-
  
• Wash the area with soap and water
• Apply anti-bacterial medication
• Bandage the wound and consider medical attention
• Teach your children to tell you if they are
  bitten or scratched by an animal

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Have a wonderful summer!

• By now you have already thought of many more
  safety tips. However, if you still need more
  information, check out these safety resources on
  the Internet
• American Red Cross
• National Safety Council
• Centers for Disease Control