During the summertime, a lot of people spend their time outdoors to enjoy pool parties, sports, grilling and other activities, but emergency rooms see a lot of patients for summertime injuries. Read on to learn more and how to prevent personal injury.
Food poisoning and Gastroenteritis
A lot of people experience personal injury from food poisoning or gastroenteritis. Hot temperatures and humidity cause bacteria to multiply.
It’s important that foods are cooked properly and that they’re never left out in the heat. Rinse your vegetables and fruit before you eat them, and wash your hands with soap and hot water for 30 seconds before eating.
Senior patient broken arm in doctor office
Swimming Injuries and Drowning
Emergency room doctors see a lot of swimming injuries during the summertime. Small children are at a greater risk for drowning if they’re aren’t being properly supervised. Other patients experience injuries from jumping in the water and boating accidents.
There are many ways that these injuries and deaths can be prevented. Young children should always be supervised while they’re swimming. Talking, drinking or partying are distractions.
Before you jump in water, determine how deep the water is. Diving in shallow water causes a lot injuries. Never operate a vessel while intoxicated.
Burns and Cuts
A lot of people will visit hospitals throughout the U.S. for burns caused by grilling and camp fires and cuts from kitchen knives.
A personal injury may come from a child trying to touch fires. A common mistake adults make is putting lighter fluid on hot coals. To avoid a personal injury, apply lighter fluids to coals when they aren’t lit. Allow the fluid to soak into the coals before lighting them. Children should always be supervised if they’re near a fire.
Sports Injuries
The most common sports injuries are ankle sprains, groin pull, shin splints, hamstring strain, knee injuries, dislocations, sprained wrists, swollen muscles, fractures and tennis elbow.
Sports injuries can be prevented by wearing protective gear, strengthening muscles, watching out for others, playing safely and knowing the rules of the game. You should never participate in sports if you have an existing injury or you experience pain.
Skin Irritations and Bug Bites
It’s common for skin to get irritated from wild plants. Insect and tick bites are common, and if you get an infection, antibiotics may be needed.
You can prevent personal injury from bug bites and wild plants by wearing insect repellent and covering exposed skin.
Car Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents increase between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Having more inexperienced drivers on the road increases the risk of accidents, and hot temperatures can cause tires to burst and increase the risk of equipment failure.
Final Words
Seek medical attention immediately if you have any injuries. Notify management immediately if the accident occurred in a public place, and make sure that it gets documented. If you or a loved one has been injured because of another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to receive compensation for damages. Contact a personal injury lawyer to help you.
Christopher is an author who is passionate about educating and encouraging his local community on safety and accident prevention while working with the Garrett Personal Injury Law Firm in Oklahoma City.
