CONTACT:
Hahnville Volunteer Fire Department
985-783-2002
Hahnville Volunteer Fire Department
Offers Summer Safety Tips
for the ST. CHARLES PARISH Community
With summer fast approaching, more and more people in the
ST. CHARLES PARISH area will be enjoying the outdoors. Unfortunately,
sun, heat and fair-weather activities such as swimming, biking, picnicking
and lawn mowing also present their share of hazards. To help ensure
everyone in the community enjoys a safe summer, the members of
Hahnville Volunteer Fire Department offer the following tips and suggest you post them where they
are likely to be seen by the greatest number of people:
Heat
Overheating can cause muscle cramps, chills, nausea and dizziness, among other symptoms. At its worst, it can lead to heat stroke, a medical emergency. Don’t do too much, too soon. After long periods of inactivity during the winter the body is not ready for strenuous exertion – especially in hot temperatures.
Drink plenty of water before and during hard or strenuous work in the heat. You’ll need to drink more water than your thirst indicates.
Take frequent small drinks, which are more effective than gulping down large amounts at once.
When possible, schedule heavy work for the cooler hours of the day, such as early morning or late evening.
Take frequent rests, lower the workload as the heat increases.
When possible, start with less strenuous work and gradually build up the intensity so you can acclimatize yourself to the heat.
Never leave children alone in a car during the summer – even for a few minutes with the windows rolled down.
Most important of all,
remember to call 911
in the event of an
emergency.
SunProtect yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Overexposure can lead to eye problems, sunburn and even skin cancer.
Use UV protective sunscreens with a protection factor of at least 15 whenever
you are in the sun for long periods. Even on cloudy days UV rays can get through.
Minimize your exposure when the sun’s rays are the strongest, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wear wide-brimmed hats in the sun; baseball caps don’t cover enough of your
face and neck.
Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UV light. Wraparound glasses are best.
Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight.
Swimming
The Centers for Disease Control reports that drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death among children 1-14 years old.
Always swim with a buddy, never alone, even if you are an experienced swimmer.
Never leave kids alone while they are in or near a pool, even if they can swim.
Know your limits. Don’t get overly tired.
Don’t swim if you are chilled, overheated, immediately after eating or in storms.
Alcohol and swimming don’t mix.
Do not chew gum or eat while swimming, You could easily choke.
Obey “no diving” signs. It means the area is unsafe for headfirst entries.
Always enter the water feet first if you don’t know the depth. Check for submerged obstacles.
Always dive with your hands in front of your head.
Surround your pool on all sides with a sturdy 5’ fence. Make sure young kids can’t reach the gate latch.
Keep rescue equipment (life preserver, long pole with a hook on the end) near your pool.
Slips and trips are common on slippery surfaces. Discourage running in a pool area.
Don’t body surf in waves bigger than 3’, on sloped beaches or near sandbars.
Picnics/Camping
Carry an insect sting kit, if you have a known allergy. To decrease the risk of insect bites avoid wearing perfumes and clothes with floral patterns.
To help prevent food poisoning, keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Don’t store perishable foods in a hot car.
Keep kids away from grills and lighter fluid.
Keep grills away from anything that can burn.
Be aware of tiny deer ticks that carry Lyme disease. When in a potentially infested area, apply insect repellant that contains deet, wear light-colored, long sleeved-shirts, pants and socks, and know which symptoms to watch out for.
Learn to identify poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Wash the contact area with soap and water as soon as possible.
Do not build a fire near tree trunks, fallen trees or overhanging branches.
When extinguishing a campfire, let it die down, then break up the coals or logs, spread the pieces, soak them, and then cover the area with dirt or sand.
Gasoline
Summertime also means gas-run tools from lawn mowers and trimmers to weed-eaters and saws.
Use an approved safety container with a self-closing lid so vapors cannot escape – and never bring gas inside your living quarters.
Don’t smoke while handling gas.
Don’t use gas near sparks, flames, hot surfaces and sources of static electricity.
Don’t use gas to start a fire.
Don’t use gas to clean paintbrushes.
Lawn Mowing
Before you mow, clear the yard of rocks, sticks and anything else the mower might fling.
Wait for grass to dry before mowing. Wet grass might make you slip or clog the mower chute.
Clear a clogged chute using a stick – never your hands – with the mower off.
With a riding mower, mow up and drown the slope so you’re less likely to tip.
Never leave a running mower unattended.
Keep kids and pets away while you’re mowing.
Never refuel a hot mower.
Never mow in bare feet or sandals. Wear heavy-duty shoes with non-slip soles.
Avoid wearing loose clothing that could get caught in the machine.
