Stay safe this summer
A Red Cross survey shows that 68 percent of Americans have been involved in some kind of summer emergency, ranging from insect bites, heat stroke and broken bones to more life-threatening situations. One in every four says he or she has been in a situation where someone needed CPR.
The survey of more than 1,000 adults shows more than 40 percent will go hiking or camping and almost 75 percent will go swimming. While people expect to be active, the 5Hd CURss fRund WhaW Pany wHUH nRW FRnfidHnW WhHy knHw what to do in an emergency.
Here are some tips to be a bit more prepared while out enjoying the sunny summer weather:
Practice water safety
• 6wiP in dHsignaWHd aUHas supHUvisHd by OifHguaUds. • AOways swiP wiWh a buddy; dR nRW aOORw anyRnH WR swim alone.
• (nsuUH WhaW HvHUyRnH in WhH faPiOy OHaUns WR swiP wHOO. (nroll in age-appropriate water orientation or swimming classes.
• 1HvHU OHavH a yRung FhiOd unaWWHndHd nHaU waWHU and dR nRW WUusW a FhiOd’s OifH WR anRWhHU FhiOd; WHaFh FhiOdUHn WR always ask permission to go near water.
• HavH yRung FhiOdUHn RU inHxpHUiHnFHd swiPPHUs wHaU 8.6. CRasW GuaUd-appURvHd OifH MaFkHWs aURund waWHU, buW do not rely on life jackets alone.
• ,f yRu havH a pRRO, sHFuUH iW wiWh appURpUiaWH baUUiHUs. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight fRU OHss Whan fivH PinuWHs and in WhH FaUH Rf RnH RU bRWh parents at the time. Actively supervise children whenever around water — even if lifeguards are present. Always stay within arm’s reach of young children.
Know how to respond to an aquatic emergency
• ,f a FhiOd is Pissing, FhHFk WhH waWHU fiUsW. 6HFRnds FRunW in preventing death or disability.
• .nRw hRw and whHn WR FaOO 911 RU WhH ORFaO HPHUgHnFy number.
• (nUROO in waWHU safHWy, fiUsW aid and CP5 FRuUsHs WR OHaUn how to respond.
• HavH appURpUiaWH HTuipPHnW, suFh as UHaFhing RU WhURwing HTuipPHnW, a FHOOphRnH, OifH MaFkHWs and a fiUsW aid kiW.
Heat wave safety
,n UHFHnW yHaUs, HxFHssivH hHaW has FausHd PRUH dHaWhs Whan aOO RWhHU wHaWhHU HvHnWs, inFOuding flRRds.
• /isWHn WR ORFaO wHaWhHU fRUHFasWs and sWay awaUH Rf upcoming temperature changes.
• DisFuss hHaW safHWy pUHFauWiRns wiWh PHPbHUs Rf yRuU household. Have a plan for wherever you spend time — home, work and school — and prepare for the possibility of power outages. Check the contents of your emergency preparedness kit in case a power outage occurs.
• .nRw WhRsH in yRuU nHighbRUhRRd whR aUH HOdHUOy, young, sick or overweight. They are more likely to become victims of excessive heat and may need help.
• ,f yRu dR nRW havH aiU FRndiWiRning, FhRRsH pOaFHs yRu could go to for relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day (schools, libraries, theaters, malls).
• (nsuUH WhaW yRuU aniPaOs’ nHHds fRU waWHU and shadH aUH met. • 1HvHU OHavH FhiOdUHn RU pHWs aORnH in HnFORsHd vHhiFOHs. • 6Way hydUaWHd by dUinking pOHnWy Rf fluids HvHn if yRu dR not feel thirsty, and avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol. (aW sPaOO PHaOs and HaW PRUH RfWHn.
• PRsWpRnH RuWdRRU gaPHs and aFWiviWiHs. 7akH fUHTuHnW breaks if you must work outdoors.
For more information about Red Cross courses, visit www.redcrossphilly.org.