Summer Safety

Covering Some of the Hazards of

the Summer Months
 What are the Hazards of
Summer?
● Sun exposure ● Allergies
● Heat related ● Wildfires
illnesses ● Poisonous Plants
● Severe Storms ● Poisonous Animals
● Tornadoes ● Interference with
● Lightning Storms PPE
● Insects ● Fatigue and
● Stinging Insects Exhaustion
 The Rising Temperatures
● As temperatures rise, so does the
stress on your body.
● Two critical actions can help you battle
the heat.
– Acclimation to the heat.
– Consumption of water.
● These two actions can help the most.
Your Body is a Good Regulator
of Heat
● Your body reacts to heat by circulating
blood and raising your skin's
temperature. The excess heat is then
released through the skin by sweating.
● Physical activity can limit the amount of
blood that flows to the skin to release
heat.
Your Body is a Good Regulator
of Heat
● Sweating can also maintain a stable
body temperature if the humidity level is
low enough to permit evaporation and if
the fluids and salts you lose are
adequately replaced.
● When your body cannot release heat, it
stores it. This raises your core
temperature and heart rate putting your
health at risk.
 Interfering with the Regulator
● Many factors can cause unbalances in
your body’s ability to handle heat.
– Age
– Weight
– Fitness
– Medical condition
– Diet
 Summer Heat
● Heat stress is a serious hazard in the workplace as
well as at home.
● Excessive heat can place an abnormal stress on
your body.
● When your body temperature rises even a few
degrees above normal (which is about 98.6
degrees Fahrenheit) you can experience
– muscle cramps
– become weak
– disoriented
– dangerously ill
 Six Factors of Heat Stress
● Temperature
● Humidity
● Movement of Air or lack of air
movement
● The radiant temperature of the
surroundings
● Clothing
● Physical activity
Heat Stress-Early Sign of Trouble
● Heat Stress will reduce your work
capacity and efficiency.
● Signs of heat stress include:
– Tiredness
– Irritability
– Inattention
– Muscular cramps.
Heat Stress-Early Sign of Trouble
(Cont.)
● If you are:
– Overweight
– Physically unfit
– Suffer from heart conditions
– Drink too much alcohol
– Are not used summer temperatures
● You may be at greater risk of heat
stress and should seek and follow
medical advice.
 Heat Rash- Another Early Sign of
Trouble
● Also known as prickly heat, occurs
when people are constantly exposed to
hot and humid air, causing a rash that
can substantially reduce the ability to
sweat.
● Heat rash is not just a nuisance
because of discomfort, but by reducing
the ability to sweat, the ability to tolerate
heat is reduced.
 Heat Rash and Heat Stress
● First Aid for Heat Rash
– Cleanse the affected area thoroughly
and dry completely.
– Calamine or other soothing lotion
may help relieve the discomfort.
● First Aid for Heat Stress
– Good nutrition
– Become Heat acclimated
– Drink lots of fluids
 Heat Cramps- Final Warning
● May occur after prolonged exposure to heat.
● They are the painful intermittent spasms of
the abdomen and other voluntary muscles.
● Heat Cramps usually occur after heavy
sweating and may begin towards the end of
the workday.
 Heat Cramps- First Aid
● First aid for heat cramps will vary. The
best care is:
– Rest
– Move to a cool environment
– Drink plenty of water- No pop,
sparkling water, or Alcohol.
– Electrolyte fluids such as Gatorade or
Sqwincher may also be used.
Heat Exhaustion- Time Running Out
● May result from physical exertion in hot
environments.
● Symptoms may include:
– Dizziness
– Profuse sweating
– Nausea
– Weakness
– Headache
– Paleness of the skin
– Vomiting
– Rapid pulse
– Unconsciousness.
● The skin is cool and clammy with sweat. Body
temperature may be normal or subnormal.
 Heat Exhaustion- What
Happened
● Heat exhaustion develops when a
person fails to replace fluids and salt
that are lost through sweating.
● You may start to experience extreme
weakness, fatigue, giddiness, nausea or
a headache as heat exhaustion
progresses.
 Heat Exhaustion- First Aid
● Rest in the shade or cool place.
● Drink plenty of water (preferred) or
electrolyte fluids.
● Loosen clothing to allow for your body
to cool.
● Use cool wet rags to aid cooling.
Heat Stroke- Your Out of Time
● This is a serious medical condition that
urgently requires medical attention.
● Sweating is diminished or absent,
which makes the skin hot and dry.
● Body temperature is very high (106
degrees F. and rising).
).
 Heat Stroke- Signs and
Symptoms
● Mental confusion ● Convulsions or
● Delirium coma
● Chills ● A body temperature
● Dizziness of 105 degrees F or
higher
● Loss of
consciousness
● Hot, dry skin that
may be red, mottled
or bluish
● A strong fast pulse.
 Heat Stroke- Rapid Response
● If you suspect someone is suffering
from heat stroke, call an ambulance
immediately.
● Their condition will rapidly deteriorate.
● You must make a provide care
immediately.
 Heat Stroke- First Aid
● This is a Medical Emergency!!
● Brain damage and death are possible.
● Until medical help arrives, move the
victim from the heat and into a cool
place.
 Heat Stroke- First Aid
● You must use extreme caution when
soaking clothing or applying water to a
victim. Shock may occur if done to
quickly or with too cool of water
● Soak his or her clothes with water and
use a fan or ice packs.
● Douse the body continuously with a
cool liquid and summon medical aid
immediately.
 The Heat Index
● The heat index table was developed by
the Weather Service.
NOTE: When the air temperature is above 80 degrees F. and the relative humidity is
above 40% the temperature the body experiences is greater than the air temperature.
 Soaking in the Sun
● The power of the sun can feel good
when emerging from the Winter blahs.
● Caution must be observed when
exposure to the sun is frequent and
intense.
● Health conditions and problems can
arise from too much sun exposure.
 Common Sun Related Health
Problems- Skin Cancer
● Exposure to UV radiation can lead to
skin cancer. The three most common:
– Basal Cell
– Squamous Cell
– Melanoma
● Receiving one or two blistering
sunburns before the age of 18 at least
doubles an individual's risk for
developing melanoma. (AAD, 1994).
 Common Sun Related Health
Problems- Eye Damage
● Eye Damage from UV radiation
● Long exposure to sunlight can lead to
eye problems later in life, such as
cataracts.
● Another potential effect of UV radiation
is a "burning" of the eye surface, called "
snow blindness" or photokeratitis from
sunlight.
 Common Sun Related Health
Problems- Eye Damage
● Snow Blindness effects usually
disappear within a couple of days, but
may lead to further complications later
in life.
● UVB damage to the eyes is also
cumulative, so it is never too late for
people to start protecting their eyes.
 Common Sun Related Health
Problems- Premature Aging
● Repeated exposure to the sun can
cause premature aging effects.
● Sun-induced skin damage causes
wrinkles and furrows, easy bruising,
brown or “liver spots” on the skin.
● Because this exposure in cumulative,
protection can never be to late.
 Common Sun Related Health
Problems- Immune System
● Scientists believe sunburns can alter the
distribution and function of disease-fighting
white blood cells in humans for up to 24
hours after exposure to the sun.
● Repeated overexposure to UV radiation can
cause more damage to the body's immune
system.
● Mild sunburns can directly suppress the
immune functions of human skin where the
sunburn occurred, even in people with dark
skin. (http://www.nsc.org/ehc/sunwise/health.htm#skin)
 Let’s Talk About The Sting of
Summer
● With increased temperatures, many
insects become very active.
● Often these insects are just a nuisance,
but these insects can cause many
health related problems.
 The Stinging Insects
● Common Ones: ● Some Uncommon
– Bees Ones in this area:
– Wasps – Caterpillers
– Hornets – Centipedes
– Yellow Jackets – Black Widow
– Fire Ants (in Spider
southeastern US) – Brown Recluse or
Fiddleback Spider
 The Common Problems
● Over 2 million people are allergic to stinging
insects.
● An allergic reaction to an insect sting can
occur immediately, within minutes, or even
hours after the sting (although never more
than 24 hrs).
● People who have experienced a systemic
allergic reaction to an insect sting have a 60%
chance of a similar (or worse) reaction if
stung again.
 How to Prevent Stinging
Attacks
● Stinging insects are especially attracted
to
– sweet fragrances (perfumes,
colognes, and hair sprays)
– picnic food
– open soda and beer containers
– garbage areas.
● Avoiding these attractants will lessen a
person's chance of being stung.
 The Sting of Anaphylaxis
● Anaphylaxis is the medical term for an allergic
reaction.
● The only treatment to an allergic reaction is the use
of epinephrine and other treatments.
– Epinephrine can be self-injected or administered
by a doctor.
● Often intravenous fluids, oxygen, and other
treatments are necessary as well.
● It is very important to call for medical assistance
immediately, even if the person says “I am okay” after
administering epinephrine.
 First Aid May Not Be Enough
● Once stabilized you may be required to stay
overnight at the hospital under close
observation.
● People who have had previous allergic
reactions and rely on the protection of
epinephrine must remember to carry it with
them wherever they go.
● Also, because one dose may not be enough to
reverse the reaction, immediate medical
attention following an insect sting is
recommended.
 Some Symptoms of an
Allergic Reaction
● Hives, itching, and swelling in areas
other than the sting site.
● Tightness in the chest and difficulty in
breathing.
● Hoarse voice or swelling of the tongue.
● Dizziness or a sharp drop in blood
pressure.
● Unconsciousness or cardiac arrest.
 Basic First Aid for Stings
● Bees will sting only once leaving the
barbed stinger in the flesh.
– To remove the stinger scrap with a
credit card or other object.
– DO NOT pinch and pull out the stinger,
this will inject more venom.
● Wasps, hornets and yellow jackets
repeatedly sting leaving no stinger
behind.
 Other Animal or Insect
Hazards
● Poisonous Animals such as
– Snakes
– Scorpions
● Are also prevalent during the Summer
Months
● Also disease carrying insects such as
mosquitoes and ticks are prevalent.
 A Little about Ticks
● Can carry a wide variety of diseases.
● Ticks contract these diseases from the
host they attach to.
● Some common diseases are:
– Lyme Disease
– Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
● Most diseases are common to specific
species of tick.
 Insect Protection
● Two primary repellants are used by most
insect repellants. They are:
– Insecticide permethrin
– Insect repellent deet (N, N-diethyl-m-
tiluarnide)
● It is important that each individual be
carefully monitored when using either of
these products.
● As with any chemical, allergic reactions
can develop from the protectant.
 How DEET Works
● Deet repellents works by evaporation,
creating a shield a few inches above the
area of application.
● The presence of the repellent vapor
confuses insects so they can’t locate a
target host.
● In most cases it usually requires less
than 1% of the repellent to form this
protective barrier.
 How Permethrin Works
● Permethrin is actually a contact
insecticide.
● Permethrin is considered ideal because
it is applied to clothing, gear, mosquito
nets and bedding and is not applied
directly on the body.
● Where ticks are a concern, permethrin
on clothing or gear will kill ticks that
travel across as little as 10" of treated
fabric.
 Any
Questions

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