HAVE FUN THIS SUMMER BUT BE SAFE

For many, the coming of summer promises refreshing opportunities for favorite outdoor activities to chase away the winter blahs.

And for every activity -- from gardening to water skiing -- there is a safe way to do it and important tips to keep in mind, said Tori Pobst, health and safety instructor for the American Red Cross.

She submitted a list of important tips and guidelines endorsed by the American Red Cross.

General guidelines

* Drink water. One of the most important safety tips for summertime activities is to drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool.

Avoid drinks containing alcohol or caffeine. They can make you feel good briefly, but they make the heat's effect on your body worse. This is especially true with beer, which dehydrates the body.

* Heat stroke

Watch for signs of heat stroke, which can be life-threatening. Heat stroke occurs when a person's temperature control system, which produces sweat to cool the body, stops working.

The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.

If heat stroke is suspected, call 9-1-1 and move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body by wrapping wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels.

Protect your skin.

* Sunlight contains two kinds of ultraviolet rays. UVA increases the risk of skin cancer, skin aging and other skin diseases. UVB causes sunburn and can lead to skin cancer. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher.

Wear eye protection.

* Sunglasses are like sunscreen for your eyes and protect against damage that can occur from UV rays.

Ticks

*If you find a tick, remove it by pulling steadily and firmly. Grasp a tick with fine-tipped tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull slowly. Wash area and apply antiseptic or antibiotic ointment. Watch area for infection. See a physician if you see signs of a rash in that area.

Grills

* Keep children away from all grills and lighter fluid.

Beware of insect stings

* If you have known allergies to insect stings, be sure to carry your insect sting kits. Avoid wearing clothing with floral patterns that may attract insects. If you are stung, use a credit card to swipe away the stinger.

Swimming

* Learn to swim. It's the best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water. The Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a course to learn or improve your ability to swim, contact your local chapter.

* Always swim with a buddy. Never swim alone. Know your swimming limits and stay within them. Don't try to keep up with a stronger swimmer or encourage others to keep up with you. And remember to swim in supervised areas only.

* Watch the signs. Obey diving signs that indicate the area is unsafe for headfirst entries. Enter feet-first into water rather than headfirst if you don't know the depth. In addition, learn the correct way to dive from a qualified instructor.

* Watch out for the dangerous "too's" -- too tired, too far from safety, too much sun and too much strenuous activity.

* Do not chew gum or eat while you swim; you could easily choke.

* Use common sense about swimming after eating. In general, you do not have to wait an hour after eating before you may swim safely. However, if you have had a large meal, it is wise to let digestion get started before doing strenuous activity such as swimming.

* Enroll children in a water safety course or Learn to Swim program. Your decision to provide your child with an early aquatic experience is a gift that will have infinite awards. These courses encourage safety practices. You can also purchase a Community Water Safety manual at your local Red Cross.

* Parents should take a CPR course. Knowing these skills can be important around the water and will expand your capabilities in providing care for your child. You can contact the Red Cross to enroll in CPR for Infants and Child course.

Boating/Skiing

* Alcohol and boating don't mix. Alcohol impairs your judgment/balance and coordination -- more than 50 percent of drownings result from boating incidents involving alcohol.

* Develop a float plan. Anytime you get into a boat, give a responsible person details about where you will be and how long you will be gone.

* Watch the weather. Know local weather conditions and prepare for electrical storms. Watch local news programs. Stop boating as soon as you see or hear a storm.

* Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming, boating or any activities on the water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas dangerous.

* Water ski safely. Watch for other boats and skiers in the area and avoid getting too close. Have an extra person aboard to watch and assist a skier. Be sure the boat and ski equipment are in good shape.

Always turn the boat motor completely off when you approach a fallen skier. Do not ski in restricted area.

Reminder

Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, said that any adult needs a tetanus booster every 10 years. This is important in the summer because tetanus grows in the soil and gardening is a big summer activity.

Tetanus is a "dreadful disease," Craig said, that causes painful muscular contractions primarily of the face and arms. It is commonly known as lockjaw, she said.

There are 20 to 30 tetanus deaths annually in the United States. There was a tetanus death locally three years ago, she said.