Newswise — Summer is traditionally a season of relaxation, recreation and fun for adults and children alike " yet it's also the most common time for injuries to occur. Mark J. Lowell, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the U-M Health System, has some advice to help adults prevent these injuries and enjoy a safe summer.
"The summer months bring many more injuries to the Emergency Department than any other time of year," explains Lowell, medical director of Survival Flight, the U-M Health System's air ambulance service. "The most common cause of summer injury to adults is from automobile accidents."
More drivers on the roadWith the summer months come more drivers on the road, many of whom are out of school on summer break and relatively inexperienced, which leads to an increased number of crashes, he says. Drivers can help prevent crashes by being more aware of the number of cars on the road and remaining alert, not only for other cars but also for pedestrians.
The pedestrian death rate is highest among people age 65 or older, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This increased risk for older adult drivers and pedestrians may be due to vision problems and slower reflexes that can be experienced later in life.
While automobile accidents account for the most injuries treated in the ER, recreational injuries and accidents are also very common in the summer " especially ones caused by anything with wheels.
Helmets - the key to prevention"Any wheeled apparatus can be a potential hazard " be it bicycles, rollerblades, scooters or skateboards," Lowell explains. "The most important thing one can do is to wear a helmet to prevent a head injury."
In 1999, 750 bicyclists were killed in crashes " nearly three-quarters of them were adults " and more than 95 percent of those who were killed were not wearing a helmet.
Head injuries from riding a bike or other wheeled apparatus are probably the most preventable summertime injuries. Bicycle helmets reduce the risk of injury by an astounding 85 percent and the risk of brain injury by as much as 88 percent. Yet only one-quarter of children ages 5 - 14 wear helmets. For older teens and young adults, the percentage of those who wear helmets is close to zero, according to the CDC. Hazards in and around waterThe summertime leads to increased activity on lakes, rivers and oceans and in swimming pools, as well as back yard and boating parties. "Unfortunately, that leads to numerous injuries and accidents " particularly drowning," Lowell says.
Lowell urges swimmers to take appropriate precautions when in and around water, such as never swimming alone and making sure someone knows where you are at all times. He also urges swimmers not to over-do it and to know their physical limits to reduce the risk of drowning from fatigue or cramping.
The most dangerous part of boating is the use of personal watercraft. "It's very important that when operating a motor vehicle " whether or not it's on the water " that there is no alcohol involved," Lowell says. "Alcohol can lead to particularly dangerous and inappropriate behavior."
The CDC reports that among young males, alcohol is a major factor in 50 percent of all drowning. In addition, because more than half the people who sustain spinal cord injuries are between the ages of 16 and 30, adults also need to take extra precautions to prevent injuries from diving.
"Diving into a pool or other body of water is another common source of head and spinal cord injury, including paralysis," Lowell says. "Knowing the depth of the water and making sure there are no toys or obstacles in the way before diving is important for preventing these injuries. When diving into the ocean, it is best to go feet first. Rivers are especially dangerous due to varying depths and hidden objects beneath the surface."
Recreational fishing brings another set of hazards during the summer. "You never think of fishing as being potentially hazardous, but I'm amazed by the number of injuries we've seen related to fish hooks being implanted " sometimes in places you would expect " and some places you wouldn't," Lowell explains.
The majority of implanted hooks come from people who stepped on a discarded hook while walking on the beach or riverbank. "Fish hook wounds are puncture wounds which can be potentially very serious," Lowell says. "If you have one that is in the bottom of your foot or one that's rapidly becoming red, swollen or painful, it's best to seek medical attention."
It is important to remove the fishhook and treat the wound as you would any other, with particular attention to scrubbing with soap and water, he says.
Flying mosquitoes and ticks, oh my!Insect bites can be particularly troublesome, causing a variety of problems from mild discomfort and itchy bumps to severe allergic reactions, infection and possibly death.
"Insects are usually just an annoyance but can sometimes be dangerous. The two most common types of reactions are first, a local reaction with some pain and redness, which can usually be treated with ice or antihistamines. The second reaction is an allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock, where the body's whole immune system develops a vigorous reaction to the bite that leads to difficulty breathing, hives and potentially death," Lowell explains.
While most people easily recover from insect bites, sometimes serious illness, such as Lyme disease, can be transmitted by them. Lyme disease is spread to humans by the bite of a tiny deer tick infected with bacteria. These ticks are found in vegetation and on animals in woodlands, grasslands and marshlands, so hikers, campers and hunters should be aware " and take precautions.
Lowell suggests wearing long-sleeved clothing and keeping skin covered. Also, using approved insect repellents containing DEET on exposed skin and clothing can help prevent spread of disease. With the added threat of West Nile Virus, watching the summer sun go down also has potential risks.
"Mosquitos are most active at dawn and dusk," Lowell explains. "If you're going to be out during those hours, it's important to use insect repellant. But perhaps the best thing to do is to prevent them from breeding in the first place."
Lowell suggests eliminating any standing water in your yard and around your neighborhood. If you can't remove the water, getting it sprayed can also prevent mosqitoes from breeding.
'Do-it-yourselfers' at risk tooWhile mowing the lawn, cleaning the gutters and putting a fresh coat of paint on the house are typical summertime activities for homeowners, these activities are common sources for many ER visits each year.
"When operating a lawnmower, make sure the area you will be mowing is free of any debris, such as rocks or toys, to prevent these items from becoming flying projectiles that could cause serious injury," Lowell says. "Lawnmower blades are very dangerous. Steel-toed or very strong boots should be worn while mowing, as well as long pants to help prevent these types of injuries."
Common injuries from ladders not only include falling but also electrocution from being too close to electrical wires. Placing ladders too close to doorways that can be opened unexpectedly is also hazardous.
"With a little preparation and common sense, you can ensure yourself a safe and enjoyable summer. Don't drink and drive (even in your motorboat), be careful when using alcohol during other recreational activities, wear a helmet and learn CPR to help someone else around you who may be in trouble," Lowell says.
Other common but preventable summer injury hazards:
Being struck by lightning" Lowell suggests using the National Weather Service's 30-30 Rule: Use the 30-30 rule when visibility is good and there is nothing obstructing your view of the thunderstorm. When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If that time is 30 seconds or less, the thunderstorm is within six miles of you and is dangerous. Seek shelter immediately. The threat of lightning continues for a much longer period than most people realize. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before leaving shelter and do not be fooled by sunshine or blue sky! If it is cloudy or objects are obscuring your vision, get inside immediately.
Fire and fireworks injuries:Never use accelerants around open flames, such as gasoline which can cause explosions. Also, never pick up an unexploded firecracker. It can take several minutes for a fuse to light and most injuries are caused by picking up what was thought to be a dud.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke:Participate in physical activities in the early mornings or evenings when it's cooler; wear loose-fitting clothing; and drink plenty of water (and avoid alcohol) to help prevent heat exhaustion. The elderly and mentally impaired are particularly vulnerable.
Foodborne illness:Prevent bacterial growth responsible for foodborne illness by keeping cold foods cold (on ice if they will be out for more than two hours) and hot foods hot. When foods begin to reach environmental temperatures, bacteria begin to flourish and can make you sick.
For more information, visit these Web sites: The National Weather Service: Lightning Safetyhttp://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/overview.htm
National Fire Protection Association: Summer Safetyhttp://www.nfpa.org
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: Fireworks-related Injurieshttp://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/fworks.htm
UMHS HealthTopics A to Z: Heat Illnesshttp://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/ama/sma_heatilln_sam.htm American Dietetic Association: Survey reveals Americans need a helping of food safety when dining outdoorshttp://www.eatright.org/Public/NutritionInformation/index_16408.cfm
US Department of Agriculture: Food borne Illness Peaks in Summer " Why?http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Foodborne_Illness_Peaks_in_Summer/index.asp
Written by Jessica Soulliere
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