When you’re on a summer vacation, staycation or a quick getaway, it’s easy to forget that you’re not immune to accident, injury or illness. You’re busy having fun with loved ones. So why would you even think something bad could happen?
Here, we discuss five things to do to make sure your vacation is both fun and safe this summer.
1. Don’t drink and drive. This seems like a no-brainer. Of course you take an Uber or Lyft when you go out with plans to consume alcohol. However, this doesn’t only refer to driving a car. Don’t even think about operating any type of vehicle when you’re under the influence, including boats or other types of watercraft, scooters, golf carts and even bicycles.
2. Know the signs of heat-related illnesses from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heat exhaustion presents with heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, a fast and weak pulse, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache and fainting. While you can relieve these symptoms by moving to a cool place, loosening clothes, sipping water or putting cool, wet cloths on your body, you should seek medical attention immediately. Individuals experiencing heat stroke have a body temperature of 103ºF or higher; hot, red, dry or damp skin; a fast, strong pulse; headache, dizziness and nausea; confusion; and loss of consciousness. While waiting for medical professionals to arrive, move the person to a cooler place and help lower their temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Never give someone with heat stroke anything to drink.
3. Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to and know the difference between beach warning flags so you don’t enter the water during dangerous conditions. Additionally, avoid distractions such as cell phones while walking in unfamiliar areas and while participating in any outdoor activities that require your full attention.
4. Seek shelter during thunderstorms. According to the National Weather Service, lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. It kills an average of 47 people in the U.S. each year and severely injures hundreds more. You should go inside as soon as you hear thunder, as the National Weather Service notes that many lightning deaths occur ahead of summer storms before any rain arrives or after storms seem to have passed and the rain has ended.
5. Keep an eye on children, especially near water. According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of injury death for children ages 1 to 4, and three children die each day as a result of drowning. These tragedies can be prevented simply by having at least one adult on water duty at all times.