Human Resources
HireLevel Summer Safety Tips
May 31, 2022
In 1996, the National Safety Council (NSC) established June as National Safety Month in the United States.
The goal of Summer Safety Month is to increase public awareness of the leading safety and health risks that are increased in the summer months to decrease the number of injuries and deaths at homes and workplaces.
Anyone can be at risk for a heat-related illness. Follow these summer safety tips, like taking extra breaks and drinking lots of water.
Moderating your exposure to heat goes beyond reapplying sunscreen and covering up. You will want to take extra steps to avoid being outside for long periods in the sun and heat, especially during the peak hours of strongest ultraviolet (UV) rays, during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The following are summer safety tips to keep you and your family safe and out of the emergency room!
1. Stay Hydrated
Dehydration is another safety concern during the summer months. Be sure to drink enough liquids throughout the day, as our bodies can lose a lot of water through perspiration when it gets hot out. N
2. Protect Your Skin
Use sunscreen 30 minutes before going out. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours – between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Stay in the shade whenever possible. N
3. Water Safety
Remember to always have adult supervision for children. Whether they’re in the pool or playing in the sand at the seashore, having someone who can help them — should an emergency arise — is essential.
4. Eye Safety
The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light can harm the eyes. Wear sunglasses year-round whenever you are out in the sun. Sun damage to the eyes can occur any time of year. Choose shades that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB light. N
5. Sports Safety
Not only can injuries happen, but in heat exhaustion and dehydration can happen more often in the summer months. It helps to be conditioned to the activities in which we’re preparing to engage. Warm-up, stretch, gear up, go with a buddy, and remember to cool down and stretch afterward.
1. Drink 1/2 ounce daily for every pound you weigh. A150-lb. person drinks 75 ounces, or approximately 2.5 quarts. One glass every hour is a good rule of thumb.
2. Avoid dieretic beverages that flush water out of your body, such as caffeinated coffee, tea, soda pop, alcohol, or beer.
3. Drink more water and fresh juices to maintain hydration during illness and upon recovery. Illness robs your body of water.
4. Start your day with 1/2 to 1 quart of water to flush your digestive tract and rehydrate your system from overnight fasting.
5. Drink water at regular intervals throughout the day. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Thirst indicates an already present deficiency.
6. Get in the habit of carrying a water bottle with you or keep one in the car or on your desk. Convenience helps. Stuff it in your shoulder bag or waist-pack water bottle pocket. Hiking suppliers have a nice selection of water-bearing belt packs and accessories.
7. Make a habit of drinking water. The reason most people don’t drink as much as they know they ought to is lack of time or being too busy. Decide to drink water before every meal. Set objectives for yourself such as drinking before you leave the house and first thing upon your return or before you start work. Take water breaks instead of coffee breaks. Fill a glass size that you can finish or gauge yourself by the number of water bottles you drink during the day.
8. Increase your drinking when you increase your mental activity level, stress level, or exercise level.
9. Drink the purest water available.
10. Perspire. Exercise to the point of perspiration or enjoy a steam bath. Sweat cleans the lymphatic system and bloodstream. It is one of the best detoxification avenues available to us. Do sweat and do drink plenty of water afterward to replace the loss of fluids. Drink more in hot weather.