Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Minor Burns
Sunburn
Outdoor Injuries
Helmet Safety
Barbeque Grills and Other Flammables
Bug Safety
Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Prolonged exposure to excessive heat and humidity can be extremely dangerous, resulting in heat cramps (muscle pains and spasms), heat exhaustion (rapid loss of body fluids caused by heavy sweating) and heat stroke (a life-threatening condition where a person's internal temperature control system breaks down).
| Tip: | Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity or at least limit it to the coolest part of the day. |
| Tip: | Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available in your home or office, stay on the building's lowest floor (usually the most cool area), and out of the sun. If possible, go to an air-conditioned public building (like a shopping mall) to cool off for a few hours. Remember that electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help sweat evaporate, which cools your body. |
| Tip: | Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect some of the sun's energy. |
| Tip: | Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water regularly and often. Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty - water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Your body needs water to keep cool. |
In the case that your body does overheat, use a COACH® Instant Cold Pack, found in Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kits as a temporary solution, until you are able to move to a cooler area.
Minor Burns
Intense summer rays can quickly cause playground equipment to heat up to dangerously high levels, causing minor burns on contact.
| Tip: | During hot summer months, visit playgrounds and parks early in the morning or evening to avoid heated surfaces on swings, monkey bars, slides and park benches. |
| Tip: | Keep a towel in your car or house for little ones to sit on. |
| Tip: | Make sure you have a fully stocked First Aid kit. The RED CROSS® Johnson & Johnson Ready Organized First Aid Kit contains 170 essential items, including supplies like antibiotic ointment, burn cooling gel, and COACH® Instant Cold Pack to treat minor burns. |
Sunburn
A sunburn is usually a first-degree burn of the outer layer of skin. The first sign of sunburn is red skin that may hurt when touched. Most sunburns are mild and can be treated at home.
| Tip: | Limit sun exposure; avoid the sun when it's strongest, generally between 10:00am and 2:00pm. |
| Tip: | Apply sunscreen liberally, every two hours. |
| Tip: | If you do get too much sun, use cool cloths on sunburned areas. Take frequent cold showers or baths to help cool the skin. |
| Tip: | Apply soothing lotions with aloe vera to sunburned areas. |
| Tip: | Sunburn can cause a mild fever and headache. Lie down in a cool, quiet room to relieve the headache. Try a nonprescription medication like TYLENOL® brand analgesic, which can be found in the RED CROSS® Johnson & Johnson Ready Organized First Aid Kit. |
| Tip: | Dehydration can also exacerbate headaches; so drinking fluids may help relieve the pain. |
Outdoor Injuries
People are much more active in the summer, increasing the odds of injury. According to the Safe Kids Campaign, 40% of all childhood injury-related emergency room visits occur in the summer between May and August.
Helmet Safety
| Tip: | Children AND adults should wear protective gear like helmets and pads for outdoor activities like biking, rollerblading, street hockey or using a scooter or skateboard. |
| Tip: | A well-stocked First Aid kit is a must-have summer accessory. An assortment of cleansing wipes, ointments and BAND-AID® Brand adhesive bandages are just the thing for those inevitable cuts and scrapes. Johnson & Johnson Safe Travels and To Go! Kits - perfect for your car or backpack - are available in drug stores and mass merchandisers nationwide |
Pool Safety
| Tip: | Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. |
| Tip: | Make sure adults are trained in life saving and CPR. |
| Tip: | Inflatable swimming aids like "arm floats" are not a substitute for life vests. |
Barbeque Grills and Other Flammables
| Tip: | Keep children away from the grill. |
| Tip: | Always make sure a fire extinguisher is nearby. |
| Tip: | On camping trips, make sure the campfire is completely extinguished at bedtime. |
Bug Safety
| Tip: | Don't use scented soaps on your child, as some perfumes may attract insects. |
| Tip: | Spray insect repellent on skin and clothes for the best protection. |
| Tip: | Don't dress in bright colors or flowery prints; they attract bugs. |
| Tip: | Avoid areas such as garbage collection areas and flowering gardens (where bees may congregate), and stagnant water, a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other bugs. |
| Tip: | In grassy or wooded areas, protect children from ticks. Dress them in long-sleeved shirts and pants tucked into socks. Use insect repellent on exposed skin. Check head and body for ticks afterward. In the case a tick is found, use tweezers to remove it, and contact your physician immediately. |