Centerview Parish Nurse
Lisa Langdale, RN
SUMMER SAFETY TIPS
Summer brings with it many health issues-many of which can be prevented. The sun and heat this time of year can be exhausting and even deadly-especially to the very young and the elderly. The number of drownings always increase in the summer but these are preventable by using some simple safety measures. And of course outside grilling is very popular in the summer months but we need to take precautions when having barbeques or picnics. Below are some common sense safety tips to help you enjoy the summer and reduce your risk of spending time in the doctor's office or hospital.
Sun and Heat: Studies show more than a million cases of the most common forms of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, and that even a few serious sunburns can increase your risk of getting skin cancer. You can protect yourself during the time of day when the sun's UV (ultraviolet) rays are strongest – between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – by wearing long sleeves and pants, and by applying sunscreen and a protective lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher. Be sure to reapply frequently especially after swimming.
Heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States from 1979-1999. Most heat-related deaths occur in the hot summer months, and the elderly, the very young and people with chronic health problems are most at risk. Because even healthy people can fall victim to summer heat, take the following precautions to reduce your risk:
- Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic beverages;
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that is light in color;
- Reduce strenuous activities or do them during the cooler parts of the day.
Water Safety: Thousands of Americans drown each year, and thousands more are injured or killed in boating accidents. Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death for children age 14 and under. Follow these common-sense precautions for safe summer fun in the water:
- >Always have an adult closely supervise young children any time they are swimming, playing or even bathing in water;
- * Never swim alone or in unsupervised locations. Teach your children to always swim with a buddy;
- * Never drink alcohol before or while swimming, boating or water skiing, and never drink alcohol while supervising children;
- * Learn to swim, as swimming lessons benefit adults and children age 4 and up;
- * Properly maintain your pool to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Never swallow pool, lake, or river water.
Food Safety: Summer is the season for outdoor barbecues and picnics; however, food-related illness can put a damper on those outdoor feasts. CDC estimates that 76 million Americans get sick from food-related illness every year. More than 300,000 end up hospitalized and about 5,000 die each year from foodborne illness. Protect yourself and your friends and family in these ways:
Cook meat, poultry and seafood thoroughly. Use a meat thermometer to be sure your grilled meats are “done.” Ground beef, for example, should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- * Don't cross-contaminate one food with another. Wash your hands, utensils and cutting boards after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry and before they touch another food;
- * Bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature, so refrigerate leftover foods promptly;
- * Wash produce thoroughly to remove visible dirt, and discard the outermost leaves of a head of lettuce or cabbage. Be aware of the new risk of bacteria on fresh tomatoes that has been televised recently. Be extra diligent in washing tomatoes until this issue is resolved.
Hope you all have a safe and healthy summer!
Lisa
Lisa
704-933-2331-church office 704-791-7182--parish nurse
Blessings from your Parish Nurse
Lisa