Parkland experts offer end of summer safety reminders
Simple precautions can help families enjoy a safe Labor Day weekend
Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, and many North Texas families will spend the holiday swimming, grilling, camping or enjoying one last trip to the lake. While these activities create lasting memories, they can also lead to preventable injuries if proper precautions aren’t taken.
Health experts at Parkland Health encourage families to keep safety top of mind so everyone can enjoy the holiday weekend and head into the fall healthy.
“Outdoor play and physical activity are an important part of a healthy childhood, and we want families to enjoy the final days of summer,” said Donna Persaud, MD, MBA, board certified pediatrician and Medical Director, Homeless Outreach Medical Services at Parkland Health. “A little planning can go a long way toward preventing injuries and illnesses. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, take breaks from the heat and follow age-appropriate recommendations for water safety. For example, have dedicated adult supervision for young children.”
Even though summer is winding down, North Texas temperatures can remain dangerously high through September.
Children should drink fluids before, during and after outdoor activities, even if they don’t feel thirsty. During prolonged activity in the heat, beverages that replace electrolytes may be appropriate because heavy sweating causes the body to lose sodium and other important minerals. Drinking only water during extended periods of intense heat or exercise can, in rare cases, contribute to dangerously low sodium levels. Parents should consider limiting outdoor time and watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including dizziness, headache, nausea, excessive sweating and fatigue. Anyone showing symptoms of heat stroke, including confusion, loss of consciousness or a body temperature above 103 degrees, should receive immediate medical attention.
Summer also brings increased exposure to insects, poisonous plants and other outdoor hazards.
“Our poison center often receives calls about insect stings, snake bites, poisonous plants and accidental exposures that happen while families are enjoying the outdoors,” said Lizbeth Petty, Manager of Public Health Education with the North Texas Poison Center at Parkland. “Using insect repellent, checking play areas for hazards and teaching children to avoid unfamiliar plants can help prevent many of these incidents. And if you’re ever unsure about a poisoning or exposure, don’t wait. Call the Poison Center for expert guidance.”
The North Texas Poison Center provides free, confidential assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week for poisonings, medication overdoses, chemical exposures, insect bites and stings. The Poison Center can be reached at 1-800-222-1222.
Many Labor Day celebrations also involve grills, fire pits and campfires, all of which can pose burn risks long after the cooking is finished.
“People often don’t realize how long grills, fire pits and hot cooking surfaces retain heat,” said Rebecca Coffey, PhD, MSN, Burn Program Manager at Parkland Health. “Children are naturally curious, so it’s important to establish a safety zone around cooking areas and never leave a hot grill or fire unattended. Most burn injuries we see this time of year are preventable.”
Parkland experts also encourage families to remember a few additional safety tips before heading outdoors:
- Never leave children unattended near pools, lakes, rivers or any body of water, regardless of swimming ability.
- Make sure children wear properly fitted life jackets while boating or participating in water sports.
- Require helmets whenever children ride bicycles, scooters, skateboards or rollerblades.
- Watch out for hot surfaces. Metal playground equipment, slides, asphalt, concrete, sand and even charcoal briquettes or fire pit coals can remain hot enough to cause serious burns. Have children wear shoes outdoors, test surfaces before touching them and remember that coals can stay dangerously hot long after a fire has been extinguished.
- Keep perishable foods refrigerated until it’s time to serve them and avoid leaving food outdoors for extended periods in the Texas heat.
“The best memories are made when everyone gets home safely,” Dr. Persaud said. “By making safety part of your holiday plans, families can spend more time enjoying one another and less time worrying about preventable injuries. We want everyone to have a safe and healthy end to the summer season.”
For more information about services available at Parkland Health, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
Back