The warm weather and longer days of summer will bring many Americans outdoors
for BBQs, pool parties, and even road trips. While summertime involves
plenty of opportunities for fun activities, there are also many chances
to get hurt. From swimming pool and boating injuries to dehydration and
sunburns, there is plenty of opportunity for injury.
The following are the seven most common injuries that happen during the
hot summer months:
-
Swimming injuries – Drowning is the second most common cause of death by unintentional
injury—right behind car accidents—among children ages one
to four years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). Children are more likely to drown in a swimming pool compared to
any place else, such as the ocean or a bathtub. So if you’re having
a pool party, ensure an adult is supervising the children at all times.
-
Watersport injuries – Boating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and tubing are all popular
watersport activities during the summertime. However, these activities
are associated with many risks and potential dangers, such as head and
neck injuries, as well as fractures and broken bones. Always wear a life
vest when participating in watersport activities, and make sure to have
a spotter watch the person in the water.
-
BBQ injuries – U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 8,200 home fires
involving barbecues, grills, or hibachis annually. Burns to skin and smoke
inhalation are the most common injuries. Always use caution when lighting
the grill and opening the cover. Always grill in a well-ventilated area
and use long tongs to avoid burning your clothes and yourself.
-
Biking injuries – Approximately 26,000 children and adolescents are treated in emergency
departments every year for head injuries related to biking. Additionally,
since many adult cyclists take advantage of the warm weather, more cases
of car-bicycle accidents occur during the summer. Always wear a helmet
every time you ride.
-
Lawn mowing injuries – 80,000 Americans visit the hospital for lawnmower accidents every
year. The majority of these accidents are caused by rocks, sticks, and
other debris being accidentally picked up and projected by the mower blades.
Whenever you mow, always wear protective equipment, such as pants, long
sleeves, closed toed shoes, sunglasses, and hearing protection.
-
Sunburn – Spending plenty of time outdoors can result in sunburn. If you
fail to protect your skin, you risk skin damage that can result in premature
aging and skin cancer. Protect yourself when you’re out in the sun
by applying sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and reapplying sunscreen
every two hours. Also, wear a hat, cover your body, and always seek shade.
-
Dehydration – Dehydration occurs when the body doesn’t have enough water
and the first sign of a heat stroke is lack of sweat. Your body stops
producing sweat when the cooling system in your body lacks the ability
to cool down, which is why you need to drink plenty of water or fluids
with electrolytes to prevent dehydration and heat stroke.
If you have suffered an injury caused by negligence,
contact our Fort Worth lawyer at the
Law Office of James M. Stanley today.