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Newark, NJ - For many Americans, summer means fun in the sun. Children are out of school, adults are on vacation, and outdoor activities are in full swing. However, the Emergency Department at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBIMC) cautions that summer also is the time of year for many injuries to occur.
“Hot temperatures and more time spent outdoors can put health and safety at risk, especially for children and seniors,” reports Michael Rosen, MD, Pediatric Director of the Emergency Department at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. “With fun in the sun should also come a need to focus on safety.”
Last year more than 3.7 million Americans went to hospital emergency rooms with injuries in June, July and August, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The Lester M. Bornstein Department of Emergency Medicine treats approximately 90,000 patients annually. To avoid becoming a statistic, the Emergency Department advises everyone to enjoy summer activities with safety in mind.
Summer Safety Suggestions
• One of the best ways to stay safe this summer is to wear a helmet and other safety gear when biking, skating and skateboarding, and when riding scooters, all-terrain vehicles, and horses. Studies on bicycle helmets have shown they can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent.
• Prevent a swimming pool tragedy. Place barriers around your pool to prevent access, use door and pool alarms, closely supervise your child and be prepared in case of an emergency.
• Summer means yard work. When mowing, keep children out of the yard, and turn the mower off if children enter the area. If the lawn slopes, mow across the slope with the walk behind rotary mower, never up and down. Never carry children on a riding mower.
• Never bring charcoal grills indoors. Burning charcoal produces deadly carbon monoxide. When cooking outdoors with a gas grill, check the air hoses for cracking and leaks. If you ever detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas at the tank and don't attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed.
• Install window guards to prevent children from falling out of open windows.
• Keep well-hydrated during outdoor activities. Take frequent breaks and watch for symptoms such as thirst, cramps, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and fever.
• Avoid eating food that has been left out for more than an hour at barbecues and family picnics.
For a referral to a Newark Beth Israel Medical Center physician, please call 1-888-SBHS-123.
Date: May 26, 2009
Contact: Beth Salamon
(973) 322-4926
Public Relations Department
Saint Barnabas Health Care System
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