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WHAT'S NEW
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Summer safety 101
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Prevent illness and injuries so you can fully enjoy summer's pleasures.
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By Lindy Oughtred
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Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are creeping up on us, and while it's a joyous, carefree time of year, it can also be dangerous. Common seasonal hazards include everything from bug bites, sunburn and heat stroke to swimming and boating accidents, but exercising a little extra caution during summer can ensure a happy -- and safe -- journey into fall.
Be water smart
5,900 people died of water-related injuries in Canada between 1991 and 2000, according to a June 2006 report by the Canadian Red Cross. Most of these deaths were caused by drowning, with recreational boating and swimming ranking high on the list of hazardous activities. Since the organization first started teaching water safety 60 years ago, drowning statistics have improved dramatically. In 1946, eight in 100,000 Canadians drowned each year. Now the rate is less than 1.3 in 100,000.
The Red Cross suggests several ways to decrease your chances of having a water-related mishap this summer:
-Use a life vest. Almost 90 per cent of boating-related drownings could be avoided if everyone wore a life jacket. And that means actually putting it on, not leaving it on a seat or at the bottom of the boat, says Red Cross public relations director Tanya Elliott. For more information, check out www.wearalifejacket.com.
-Don't drink and boat -- or float. Drinking and swimming or boating is a deadly mix, with half of all swimming deaths involving high blood alcohol levels. "People understand the concept of 'don't drink and drive,'" Elliott says. "It should be the same for 'don't drink and boat.'" Ontario legislation passed on June 22, 2006, reinforces this concept: those found guilty of drinking and driving lose their driver's licence for a year.
-No diving! Don't dive into any body of water unless you are sure it is deep enough to safely do so. Keep in mind that most home swimming pools are not safe for diving, since the deep end is not long enough to ensure you don't hit your head on the slope to the shallow end. Spinal injuries could lead to paralysis or death.
-Don't fight a current's flow. Each year, 130 people drown in Canada after being caught in river or ocean currents. Most people who find themselves caught in a current panic and try to fight the natural flow -- but that doesn't help. Instead, the Red Cross suggests using the current's power by swimming with it until you're able to get out of it. To learn how to avoid and handle currents in a safe, controlled environment, take classes that provide such training at the Red Cross. Visit www.redcross.ca for more information.
Skin cancer prevention
The summer sun -- we love it, but it isn't always kind to us. Too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to sunburn, which leaves skin red, swollen and painful and may increase the risk of developing skin cancer.
In 2006, 4,500 cases of melanoma, the most serious and deadly form of skin cancer, and an additional 68,000 cases of basal and squamous cell carcinoma will be diagnosed in Canada, according to the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA). Basal cell is the most common and least dangerous type of skin cancer, while squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common.
What's your greatest summer health concern? Tell us in Homemakers.com forums.
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