Summer is in full swing and the nice weather means more opportunities for outdoor fun. Activities like camping, picnicking, hiking, swimming, yard work, and boating all present the potential for serious unintended injuries. It’s important to know how to stay safe and fun while enjoying the great outdoors.

Beware of Heat Stroke

Avoid strenuous activity during the peak of the day. Heat and humidity can lead to a heat stroke, a life-threatening condition in which the body’s core temperature rises above 104 degrees F. Stay cool with these tips:

Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise, sports, or other strenuous activities.

Take frequent breaks to rehydrate, and drink fluids (except coffee, alcohol, and tea) even if you do not feel thirsty. During these breaks seek shade and give your body a break from the exposure.

Wear lightweight and breathable clothing to help your body shed excess heat.

It’s important to know the signs of heat stroke. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms similar to those of a heart attack, such as high body temperature, rapid pulse, confusion and difficulty breathing, they may be suffering from a heat stroke. Get the person to a shady area and apply cool water to the skin. Call 9-1-1 immediately.

Stay Safe During Water Activities

On hot summer days, there is no better way to cool off, exercise, and have fun than to participate in water sports such as waterskiing, diving, jet skiing, snorkeling, surfing, parasailing, or swimming in a pool. Regardless of your skill level, take precaution before participating in watersports:

Learn how to swim by taking professional swimming lessons.

While boating or swimming in open water, always wear a life jacket. No matter your skill level at the sport or swimming, you need to wear one. If someone is unconscious due to an injury, the life vest will keep them afloat and help them survive.

Never go into the water alone.

Watch children constantly. Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 14. Children can get into trouble very quickly and generally are not as strong swimmers as adults.

Don’t Get Caught in a Thunderstorm
With sunny summer days also come thunderstorms. Lightning strikes cause hundreds of permanent disabilities each year. Knowing what to do when caught in a storm is crucial to injury prevention:

If there is no nearby shelter or vehicles, move from hills or peaks to a level or valley area.

Never lie flat on the ground, and do not use a tree or cliff for shelter.

Stay away from objects that conduct electricity, such as wire fences and power lines, and move away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water.

If you are with a group of people, spread out.

Do your best to plan ahead to avoid being outdoors during a storm.

Don’t Be Burned by Campfires or Firepits

The best summer nights include gatherings around campfires where we share stories, make smores, or just enjoy the ambiance. Relax and enjoy keeping these tips in mind:

Build your fire at least 15 feet away from your tent, home, or other structure preferably downwind.

Build only a small, manageable fire.

Talk to children about campfire safety.

Keep children at a safe distance with a “safety circle” at least 4 feet from the fire edge.

Make sure you have water available before building the fire in case of emergency.

Even if the fire is out, there’s still danger. Seventy percent of campfire burns are caused by embers rather than flames. Fire pits retain heat up to 12 hours after being extinguished—hot enough to cause a severe burn.

Humans cause nine of every 10 wildfires. Make sure campfires are permitted in your area.

No matter what you do to have fun this summer, make safety your top priority.

Enjoy a Safe and Injury Free Summer
By Tony Bixby, BS, NRP, CCEMT-P, FP-C
Director of Prehospital Services, Susquehanna Regional EMS
UPMC Susquehanna