Summer is a great time to enjoy the great outdoors and swim, hike, travel and barbecue. Rush North Shore Medical Center offers the following tips to help you stay clear of accidents and injuries.

Sun and Heat: Studies show more than a million cases of the most common forms of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, and that even a few serious sunburns can increase your risk of getting skin cancer.

You can protect yourself during the time of day when the sun's UV (ultraviolet) rays are strongest – between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – by wearing long sleeves and pants, and by applying sunscreen and a protective lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher. Be sure to reapply frequently especially after swimming.

Most heat-related deaths occur in the hot summer months, and the elderly, the very young and people with chronic health problems are most at risk. Because even healthy people can fall victim to summer heat, take the following precautions to reduce your risk:
· Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic beverages;
· Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that is light in color;
· Reduce strenuous activities or do them during the cooler parts of the day.

Water Safety: Thousands of Americans drown each year, and thousands more are injured or killed in boating accidents. Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death for children age 14 and under. Follow these common-sense precautions for safe summer fun in the water:
· Always have an adult closely supervise young children any time they are swimming, playing or even bathing in water;
· Never swim alone or in unsupervised locations. Teach your children to always swim with a buddy;
· Never drink alcohol before or while swimming, boating or water skiing, and never drink alcohol while supervising children;
· Learn to swim, as swimming lessons benefit adults and children

age 4 and up;
· Properly maintain your pool to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Never swallow pool, lake, or river water.

Food Safety: Summer is the season for outdoor barbecues and picnics; however, food-related illness can put a damper on those outdoor fests. The The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 76 million Americans get sick from food-related illness every year. More than 300,000 end up hospitalized and about 5,000 die each year from food-borne illness. Protect yourself and your friends and family in these ways:
· Cook meat, poultry and seafood thoroughly. Use a meat thermometer to be sure your grilled meats are “done.” Ground beef, for example, should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
· Don't cross-contaminate one food with another. Wash your hands, utensils and cutting boards after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry and before they touch another food;
· Bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature, so refrigerate leftover foods promptly;
· Wash produce thoroughly to remove visible dirt, and discard the outermost leaves of a head of lettuce or cabbage.

If your summer plans include a trip overseas, check out Health Information for International Travel. The book, commonly referred to as “The Yellow Book” and considered by many to be the gold standard on travel information, contains new information on scuba diving safety, high altitude travel, travel information for individuals with specific health needs, and travel with children.

 

Rush North Shore’s Emergency Department is consistently ranked among the highest rated ER’s by patients and their families. Known for treating emergencies with skill and compassion, our ED is a Level II trauma center staffed around the clock by board-certified physicians and nurses with special training in pediatric life support.