Top 10 Summer Safety Tips
courtesy of the News Journal

1. Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke: Heat can kill!
What to look for: Clammy Skin, muscle cramps, nausea vomiting, headache, dizziness, fainting.
What to do: Get the person into a cool environment and offer fluids. Call an ambulance

2. Sunburn-Who hasn't had sunburn!?! Don't apply butter or ice-that could do more harm than good! Do use cool compresses and aloe based lotions.

3. Blisters-A blister is actually natures protection against infection and chafing. So if you get a blister, don't pop it! If it does pop, don't remove the skin press it down and cover with a dry sterile dressing.

4. Insect and tick bites: If you do get bitten by some creepy crawly, apply ice to reduce pain and swelling. Wash area with soap and water and remove stinger.  For ticks remove with tweezers, making sure you remove the head and mouth parts!

5. Poison oak, ivy & sumac: Leaves of three...leave them be....If you do come in contact with poison ivy, oak & sumac, wash the oil from the skin with soap and water as soon as possible to help prevent spreading.

6. Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease- Mainly affects infants and young children. Painful sores in the mouth, throat, hands, feet and sometimes butt and legs. Accompanied by fever, fatigue and loss of appetite. What to do? Hydrate with popsicles and cool drinks.

7. Water-borne illnesses-Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and maybe fever....Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

8. Food-borne illnesses-abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting...Hydrate as much as possible...should only last a day or two.

9. Sprains & Strains-pain, swelling, stiffness and maybe bruising...Try RICE: Rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

10. Bikes, Scooters & Skakeboards-Always wear a helmet!  If a fall occurs, seek immediate medical attention if there's any loss of consciousness!