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Summer Safety....

With school out, kids and parents are spending more time outdoors. Whether you live in eternal summer or get just a few short weeks of warm weather bliss, you can make enjoying the outdoors a safe family activity. Summer should be a time for enjoying your leisure and pursuing activities that can't be enjoyed indoors. Take the time to ensure that summer stays fun and carefree. Whether it's barbecuing or hanging from the monkey bars, there are things you can do to protect family and friends from the most common summer hazards.

Ride Smart	Good Grilling
Every year 900 people die from bike-related injuries and over 100,000 visit hospital emergency rooms. Here are some statistics from a recent national survey: 57% of bike riders don't wear a helmet every time 40% of riders don't own a bike helmet More than 60% of childhood bike-related fatalities occur on small neighborhood streets, typically within 1 mile from home Wearing a bike helmet reduces the risk of head injury by 85%  Click here for more.	Improper grilling of meats and vegetables can result in the formation of HCAs (heterocyclic amines), cancer-causing compounds. There's lots you can do to prevent these chemicals from forming and still have a tasty summer barbecue. Click here for more tips and info.
Sun Sense	Yard Safety
Okay, so we all know that it's important to use sunscreen, especially if you are air skinned. Protect yourself and your children with sunscreen, hats and loose clothing. Another warm weather danger is heat illness (hyperthermia). Heat illness occurs when the body is no longer able to perspire enough to maintain a safe temperature. It can be deadly. If you work or play outside know the symptoms and what to do. Click here for information from the Centers for Disease Control.	Did you know that all yard play equipment should have 6-12 inches of soft material such as mulch, sand, wood chips or pea gravel beneath? Click here for more info. It's lawn mower season. Never allow children on or around an operating lawn mower or lawn tractor. Click here for more info. Pesticides aren't the only harmful lawn chemicals. Fertilizers and weed killer can be just as deadly. Click Here for what to do about an accdidental poisoning. Lots of common shrubs and flowers are poisonous. Click here for information on poisonous plants.

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