Tag Archives: swimming

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

HOW TO KEEP SAFE AND AVOID INJURY THIS 4TH OF JULY (GUEST POST)

Independence Day celebrations generally mean getting together with families and friends for backyard barbecues, trips to the beach, and of course, fireworks. Although that may sound like a lot of fun, these activities can also bring dangers of fire, water, food, and heat.

To avoid injuries and make the most out of this annual holiday, here things to take note of:
Watch a professional fireworks show
Instead of setting off fireworks in your own backyard, leave it to the pros. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is by watching professional shows. There are many fireworks shows you can watch. Do remember to stay at least 500 feet away. Putting it in your own hands can lead to possible blindness, severe burns – even death.
However, if you really must set fireworks at home, have a fire extinguisher available and ready. Light only one firework at a time and make sure the person lighting it wears eye protection Never point the firework toward people, animals, vehicles, and flammable materials and never attempt to relight. Fires and burns to to fireworks can lead to losing private possessions or lives.  
Grill with caution
Never grill indoors, in a tent, camper or on any surface that may catch fire. Instead, stay at least 10 feet away from your home or any building. Always supervise a grill when in use and don’t forget to use long-handled tools for cooking to keep the chef safe from burns. Before starting the fire, check the tubes that lead to the burner for any blockage from insects or grease. Avoid playing games with flying objects like frisbee, as it may knock candles, torches, and the grill itself. Last but not least, keep children away from the grill area. Use items like lawn chairs to prevent children from entering the area.
Swim safely
Since summer is here, swimming is the most popular activity for the family. To stay safe in the water, you first must know how to swim. If you already do, swim only in designated areas where lifeguards are available. Next is to have a swim buddy, even at a public pool. If you have children, never keep your eyes off them and don’t entrust his life to another child. Inexperienced swimmers should always wear swimming jackets. Also, don’t swim under the influence of alcohol. The same goes for driving…
Don’t drink and drive
According to statistics, the number of traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths rise significantly on the fourth of July. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that Independence Day was the deadliest day on the road from 2006 – 2010.
Drinking alcohol – even just one cocktail – can impair your senses and judgement. So if you must drink on this holiday, make sure to have a designated driver to take your home. If you don’t have a driver, call a cab. If you had a lot to drink, consider staying in your host’s place for the night.
Better yet, stay at home. You don’t need to go out on the 4th of July to have fun. Play host to a neighborhood party instead.
Have a safe and injury-free fourth of July!
 
About the author: Based in California, Melissa Page is a professional writer with over four years of professional writing experience. Despite being a safety-conscious health buff, she still believes in the importance of health insurance, (iCan). She also loves travelling and bowling.
Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – U.S.A. – 2011!

By now,  most of us are getting ready to celebrate on Monday,  our nation’s birthday – July 4th – Independence Day!  I want to send greetings to all of you from our home, where the grand old flag will be flying, and wish everyone a safe holiday. (Sorry, the flag looks backwards, but the wind was blowing!)

We have already talked about fireworks, so we’ll give that subject a rest!  Many are packing their bags for trips, so let’s talk about travel first.  The main thing is to be packed and ready to get an early start, because you know your friendly State troopers will be there, watching to be sure you don’t speed, and that you are safe.  If you need assistance, you can count on them, as well, to be of help.  Please don’t carry on conversations on your cell phone while driving, and above all, don’t text or drink and drive!

There are many activities that families can plan right at home, and not have to be involved in the hustle and bustle of travel.  One of my favorite memories is going to our best friends’ home every Fourth of July for grilled hamburgers and home-made ice cream!  Now we live miles away, so we had to stop that tradition; however, we make up for it when we visit each other, which is quite often.  Moms and dads can find easy crafts for the kids with some red, white and blue items that they probably can find in the house.  Local parks will be full of folks of all ages, with volleyball games, croquet, barbecues, picnics, baseball games, and many activities.

If you plan to go boating, be sure to have life jackets in the boat for each passenger.  Obey the rules of boating, and do not drink while driving a boat, as the penalty is the same as for driving a car while drinking.  Watch for other boaters, swimmers, and those on jet skis.  Sometimes everyone thinks they own that particular spot on the water, and it just doesn’t work that way!

Swimmers should be prepared with lots of sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat and cover-up when they get out of the water.  Stay in pairs, just in case someone gets in water that is too deep.  Be sure if you are swimming on a beach or lake to check out the water quality for contamination.  There should be signs posted with some type of useful information.

If you are the outdoors type and want to take a hike, be sure you let someone know your plans and when you will be returning.  If you need to build a campfire, build it with sticks no larger than an adult wrist.  (Of course, first, be sure that you are not in an area where campfires are banned.)  Never leave that fire unattended and keep it small.  A fire that is not “dead out” can be rekindled by wind and start a wildfire.  Keep water handy and a shovel for throwing dirt on the fire in case it gets out of control.  Stir the remains and be sure all materials are cooled down.  Drown it with water, even move rocks to see there’s no fire beneath them. Feel all materials with bare hands to be sure that no wood is burning before leaving the campsite.

If you are cooking outdoors, beware of bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses.  Be sure all utensils are clean and that you have a good source of water.  Separate raw meat from cooked meat and poultry.  Keep cold food cold and hot food hot.  Don’t let food set out for more than 1 hour in hot weather.  Keep it in an ice chest once the meal is finished.

Have a great Fourth of July, but don’t overdo it when it comes to food, alcohol, sun, or exercise.  Take along the proper clothing, suncreeen, insect repellent, and other remedies that will make you feel better tomorrow!   Remember why some of us get to be off on this day, and why we observe it.  There are young men and women who don’t have the day off, and are in countries where they can’t celebrate the way we do.  When you see our flag, think of what it stands for, and the sacrifices they make every day.  May God Bless Each One of Them, their families, all of us, and the U.S.A.

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General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

LET’S TALK ABOUT SAFETY AND SWIMMING!

New research shows that swimmers may live longer than runners and walkers! Researchers thought that swimmers and runners would have a lower risk of dying, but they were surprised that the swimmers had a statistically significant lower death rate than runners.  This serves as an inspiration to hop right into that pool where you can get year-round, low-impact aerobic therapy, or just take a few laps,  and hope to live longer!  Low-impact exercise in pools doesn’t strain your lower joints as intensely as running and walking.  This certainly doesn’t mean to give up your running or walking, but it gives you another reason to jump on into a new method of exercise.  Some persons can’t walk or run because of arthritis, so this would be a way for them to get some healthy and fun exercise.

Swimming is such an important activity for young people, and it is very important that children learn to swim.  Parents can teach them at a very young age to not be afraid of water, by accompanying them in the pool, and using floaties, tubes, etc. to keep them afloat.  Swim lessons are vital to everyone to be able to enjoy boating, and other water activities.  Swimming and other water-related activities are excellent ways to get the physical activity needed for a healthy life, and millions of people enjoy oceans, lakes, rivers, pools, and spas each year.  Listed is information from the Centers for Disease Control regarding information about swimming and the risks involved, such as drowning, water-related diseases, and sunburn:

  • There are 8.8 million residential and public-use swimming pools in the United States.
  • Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of all unintentional injury deaths in children aged 1-14 years and the 7th leading cause of unintentional injury death for all ages.
  • Among 0-4 year olds, 69% of drownings for which the location was known occurred in swimming pools. (Many home pools.)
  • There are over 6.6 million hot tubs in operation in the United States.
  • Sunburn is a risk factor for both basal cell carcinoma and melanoma (types of skin cancer). In 2003, a total of 45,625 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed in the United States, and 7,818 persons died from the disease . (Please use sunscreen!)
  • Over 12 percent (13,532 of 111,487) of pool inspections conducted during 2008 resulted in an immediate closure, pending the correction of the violations.
  • A total of 78 recreational water-associated outbreaks affecting 4,412 persons were reported to CDC for 2005-2006, the largest number of outbreaks ever reported in a 2-year period.
  • Of 48 recreational-water associated outbreaks of gastroenteritis during 2005-2006, 64.6% were caused by one chlorine-resistant parasite: Cryptosporidium..
  • Of 35 gastroenteritis outbreaks associated with treated (for example, chlorinated) recreational water venues, 82.8% were caused by Cryptosporidium .
  • Because of its resistance to chlorine, Cryptosporidium (Crypto) has become the leading cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks associated with swimming pool venues. Reporting of cryptosporidiosis cases increased 208 percent from 2004 (3,411) to 2008 (10,500).
  • In the United States in 2007, almost 32 million individuals participated in motor or power boat activities .
  • In 2006, 3,474 persons were injured and 710 died while boating .
  • The U.S. Coast Guard’s 2006 statistics stated that approximately 87 percent of boaters who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

Never leave a child unattended at a swimming pool.  Always check  that the swimming pool water has been tested for Crypto.  Water activities are a lot of fun, but can be dangerous if not taken seriously.