Parkland Hospital
Parkland Hospital
Employee Screening Survey
Careers
Donate Now
MyChart
Vendors
Español
Search
Search
Spanish button
Main Navigation
About Us
Patients & Visitors
Health Information
Get Involved
Information for Medical Professionals
Help
About Us
Patients & Visitors
Health Information
Get Involved
Information for Medical Professionals
Home » About Us » General Information » News & Updates » Parkland experts offer end-of-summer safety tips
Decrease Text Size  A  Increase Text Size
Printer Friendly Version
Email A Friend
spanish
MyChart login
Navigation Shadow
right side ribbon
street sign
Find us...
5200 Harry Hines Blvd. , Dallas , TX 75235
  • Map
  • Driving directions
  • Parking
  • DART directions
  • Campus map
address
I'm trying to contact...
  • connect with a hospital unit or department
  • 214-590-8000
  • email us
  • locate a patient
  • connect with a hospital unit
  • 214-590-8000
  • schedule an appointment with our clinics if you are a new patient
  • 214-590-5601
  • praise staff or hospital
  • report patient care issues
  • 469-419-0820
  • email us
  • help with financial issues
  • registration and payment
  • 214-590-4900
  • read more
  • provide spiritual or emotional comfort
  • 214-590-8512
  • learn more
  • provide support for MyChart
  • Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7p.m
  • 214-590-7000
  • register for a community event or Parkland speaker
  • 214-590-1152
  • read more
  • provide information about Parkland jobs
  • 214-590-8073
  • read more
  • Call 911 in emergencies
  • 214-590-8362
  • Learn more
  • provide information on products and equipment
  • 214-590-4600
  • provide supplier information
  • 214-590-4600
clock
Hospital hours
  • Visitation hours may vary by floor
  • 214-590-8000
  • Main Retail Café: Mon - Sun | 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Starbucks Café: WISH Building | Mon - Fri | 5:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • Park Market Café: Mon - Fri | 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. | 8 p.m. - 4 a.m. | Sat -Sun | 7 p.m. - 4 a.m.
  • Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Always open
  • Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • 214-590-8831
  • Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Daily | Open 24 hours
  • Daily | Open 24 hours
  • Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday: Closed
  • Holiday hours may be different
Clinics
Our clinics
Pay My Bill
Parkland Financial Assistance
Right Ribbon
glyph
Medical Excellence
little glyph
Level I Trauma Center
little glyph
Stroke Center
little glyph
Burn Center
little glyph
Orthopaedics
little glyph
Epilepsy Center
little glyph
Cancer Care
little glyph
Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation
little glyph
Women & Infants Services
About Us
Welcome to Parkland
General Information
Contact Us
Locations
News & Updates
Subscribe to Parkland News Flash
Medical Services
Financial Summary
Parkland by the Numbers
Parkland's History
Sustainability at Parkland
New Parkland
Stories From Our Patients
Board of Managers
Leadership Team
Parkland Strategic Plan
Reports & Disclosures
Government Relations
Media Contacts
Videos
EEO Statement
Home > About Us > General Information > News & Updates > Parkland experts offer end-of-summer safety tips

Parkland experts offer end-of-summer safety tips

Posted: 8/29/2022

News and Updates

Keep your kids healthy, happy as vacation season closes

While Labor Day marks the unofficial end to the summer vacation season, the holiday weekend also provides a final weekend for swimming, camping or heading to the lake to soak up some sun on the water. But health and safety experts at Parkland Health say parents need to be mindful of, and try to prevent, potential injuries and illnesses related to end-of-summertime outdoor activities.

“It’s been a long, hot summer and as we welcome cooler weather, we have to remember that our area is still full of bugs that can ruin the end of the summer fun,” said Lizbeth Petty, Public Health Education Manager with the North Texas Poison Center (NTPC) at Parkland Health. “From fire ants to mosquitos, wasps, spiders and snakes, there are plenty of biting and stinging critters active in the warm weather. Parents need to patrol areas where kids are playing and eliminate breeding and hiding areas for pests if possible. Apply mosquito repellant, especially at dawn and dusk. Teach your kids to recognize and avoid poison ivy, oak and sumac. And keep the Poison Center’s phone number handy in case of emergency.”

To receive free expert advice on any type of poisoning, drug overdose, chemical exposure, insect bite or sting, call the NTPC, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-222-1222.

For those who will be taking to the sidewalks, parks or out for a ride in the country, a helmet is an essential piece of equipment for anyone on wheels.

“Helmets protect children from serious brain injuries and can be life-saving, so they should be worn whenever kids are on bicycles, scooters, rollerblades, skateboards and skates,” said Courtney Edwards, DNP, MPH, RN, CCRN, CEN, TCRN, NEA-BC, Director of Trauma Community Outreach in the Rees-Jones Trauma Center at Parkland.

Edwards stresses that it’s equally important for adults on wheels, especially motorcycles, to wear a helmet. In 2020, in the 7,481 motorcycle crashes in Texas, 1,856 motorcyclists were seriously injured and 482 were killed, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Between January 2020 and July 2022, 630 people were treated in Parkland’s Emergency Department for injuries from motorcycle crashes.

Another end-of-summer hazard is the family grill. Sarah Scoins, MSN, RN, CNS, CCRN, ACCNS-AG, Burn Outreach and Injury Prevention Educator Parkland, stated, “People forget that a grill remains very hot even after it’s no longer being used. Never let children near the grill,” she advised. “Kids can sustain a severe burn from a hot grill long after the hot dogs have been eaten.”

And speaking of food, Parkland Registered Dietitian Sharon Cox said barbecues and picnics often have an unintended consequence – food poisoning. “Be sure to check the internal temperature of meats and other foods on the grill to ensure they are cooked to the appropriate safe temperature,” Cox said. “And avoid leaving foods out on the picnic table or in the car that require refrigeration. In our Texas heat, foods can spoil very quickly.”

In addition, Cox said it’s important to stay hydrated as summer ends. “Water should be our number one drink. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, it’s important to take the time to drink water,” she said. “There may be many other drinks available, but our bodies need good ole water.”

The bottom line, Parkland experts say, is to enjoy the end of summer fun, but do so safely.

For information about health services at Parkland, visit www.parklandhealth.org.

< Back
Quick Links 
I want to...
small glyph See patient care services
small glyph Find out if I am pregnant
small glyph Get a birth certificate
small glyph Get my medical records
small glyph Pay my bills
small glyph Fill out paperwork
Essential Links
small glyph Community Relations
small glyph Paying for your services
small glyph Quality information
small glyph Board of Managers
small glyph Leadership team
small glyph Texas Medicaid Waiver
small glyph Vendors
External Links
Parkland Foundation
Parkland Health Plan
PCCI
Parkland Links
small glyph Contact Us
small glyph Privacy Policy
small glyphMedia Policy
small glyph Ethics & Compliance
small glyph Price Transparency
small glyph Site Map
 Employee Screening Survey
 Careers
Donate Now
MyChart login
Vendors
Español
Footer Parkland Hospital Logo

   
Footer Address
5200 Harry Hines Blvd. , Dallas , TX 75235
Footer Phone
214-590-8000
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Linked In
Pinterest
YouTube
Google Plus
Affiliate Organizations
Poison Center
Copyright 2023 Parkland Health
Loading... Loading...