It’s finally spring!
Spring is the time for blooming flowers, outdoor adventures and yes, yardwork. As everyone comes out of their hibernation from winter, there are some things to keep in mind in terms of safety when welcoming warmer days. Keep reading below for tips!
1. Wear protective gear and clothing specially made for whatever activity you are doing. One of the primary safety concerns as the weather warms up is injuries from outdoor activities including boating, biking, hiking, and more. Examples of proper safety gear are: bike helmets, life jackets, knee and elbow pads, and other gear specific to the activity you or your child are engaging in. Protecting yourself with the right PPE can prevent many injuries, from a scraped knee all the way up to a concussion or other brain trauma.
2. Watch and supervise children in your care closely. This is especially true when children are playing around or in a body of water such as the ocean, lake, pool or river. If children are playing around water, ensure they are all comfortable with and familiar with swimming, and are wearing life jackets or arm floaties. This holds true when other events are happening, such as cook outs, where people are grilling or cooking and ensure children do not go near a hot stove, grill or have access to sharp knives and utensils that they could hurt themselves with.
3. Use sunscreen when playing or working outdoors. Sun screen protects against sunburn, blistering, skin peeling, and helps prevent skin cancer. Pick one with a high enough SPF for your needs, and wear protective clothing to prevent sunburn. Reapply the sunscreen every 4-6 hours and keep small children and babies out of direct sunlight to protect them from heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration.
4. Stay hydrated! As the days warm up and outdoor activities resume, make sure you and your family are drinking plenty of water. Staying hydrated and drinking enough water works to prevent dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and replenishes water lost through your skin via sweating.
5. Keep foods at the appropriate temperature. With warmer weather comes greater chances of bacteria growing on food that is left out too long, which can make you and your family sick if consumed. Try not to leave dairy, meats, fish, or other perishable foods out in the sun and heat too long and when cooking them, make sure you are cooking to the right food safety temperature for the type of food you are cooking.
6. Safety first, buckle up! Spring time often lends itself to fun vacations, adventures, and travel. When traveling by vehicle, ALWAYS fasten your seat belt and make sure the rest of your family does the same. Seatbelt misuse is often a big cause of fatalities in motor vehicle accidents. Protect yourself and your family by having car and booster seats checked by your local fire or police department to ensure proper installation and safety before embarking on a fun trip.
7. Bring along or know where you can access a first aid kit if needed. Whether you choose to build your own or buy a pre-made kit, make sure you keep up with medication expiration dates and keep the kit fully stocked at all times in case of emergencies. Have emergency phone numbers ready if an emergency occurs and never hesitate to call 911 when needed.
Have a great spring!