The National Safety Council (NSC) exists for one purpose only: To promote health and safety among all residents of the U.S., at work, at home and on the road. Every June, the NSC asks Americans to celebrate a month of safety, raising awareness of some common yet preventable dangers that can pose risks to health and life. In honor of National Safety Month, here are five quick tips to help you stay safe this summer:
- Beat the heat and avoid heat-related illness by avoiding prolonged periods in the sun and taking plenty of water breaks. Check out these tips from the Mayo Clinic on how to avoid heat stroke.
- NEVER leave children or pets in an unattended vehicle – even with the windows “cracked,” temperatures can soar to deadly levels in a few minutes.
- Be smart about the sun. Use plenty of sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and reapply it throughout the day. Don’t forget your ears, the back or your neck and your feet. Wear a hat with a wide brim and protect your eyes with UV-rated sunglasses.
- Stay safe on the 4th. Fireworks – even seemingly harmless ones like sparklers – can injure kids and pets. Plus, pets frightened by the noise and sound of fireworks are much more likely to run away or become injured on the 4th of July holiday. Practice safety when handling fireworks or attending displays, and leave your pets indoors with the TV on to mask the noise.
- Don’t rely solely on lifeguards to keep an eye on your kids at pools or at the beach. Enroll your kids in swimming lessons when they reach age three.
Want more tips? The NSC website has plenty of free resources; all you have to do is register.
Here’s a more detailed exploration of Independence Day safety tips: A July 4th Fireworks Safety Reminder.
