Summer brings safety concerns, tips

  • Published
  • By 39th Medical Group
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  As the weather warms, there are additional considerations to heed for home safety. Such considerations result from children being home for school's summer break, and other's are year-round concerns.

Warmer temperatures bring pesky insects such as mosquitoes, ticks and fleas, barbeque hazards, pet problems, sunburn scares and more.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide an abundance of information for people to consider while making plans for the summer. CDC tips include:

· Mosquitoes may carry and can transmit malaria or the West Nile virus in certain places; ticks can transmit Lyme disease and other infections; and fleas can transmit plague. Remove any items collecting standing water near homes to eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds. Reduce the number of ticks by removing brush and leaf piles.
· To prevent these illnesses, use an appropriate insect and tick repellent and apply it properly.
· After coming indoors, shower and check your body for ticks. Check children and pets for ticks, too. If you find one, remove the entire tick with fine-tipped tweezers. See your doctor if you develop a rash, fever, body aches or fatigue one to three weeks after a bite.
· Make sure your pets have current vaccinations, as people can fall ill from soil contaminated with pet feces. Also, make sure your pet is using an appropriate anti-bug product to prevent ticks and fleas.
· Be prepared for allergies. Pollens and air pollutants can trigger allergic reactions and asthma. Follow the directions on prescriptions and over-the-counter allergy medications.
· Wear sunscreen. Prevent burns by wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 15. Cover up, wear sunglasses, and be aware of the signs of heat stress.
· Cook meat and poultry thoroughly on the grill. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Avoid cross contamination by using different plates and utensils for raw and cooked meat, or wash them thoroughly between uses.
· Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.
· Prevent recreational water illnesses by avoiding swimming when you have diarrhea, not swallowing pool water and showering before swimming.
· Avoid bats and remind children to not touch them. Some bats may be infected with rabies. If bitten, wash the area thoroughly and seek medical attention.

It is also important to make the inside of one's home safe, as children are home more in the summer. Place plastic outlet protectors in easy-to-access outlets. This prevents foreign objects from being stuck in outlets by younger children. Also, parents should be aware of the ages at which children are allowed to stay alone outside, in the home, in a vehicle, overnight and with siblings as babysitters.

It's a good idea to incorporate a no-play zone when grilling outside until the grill has cooled. Both gas and charcoal grills should be at least three feet from the house and bushes. The connection between the propane tank and fuel line on gas grills should be checked regularly. If there is damage to the line or connection, don't grill. It's also important to know that grilling in homes and enclosed areas can lead to fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

It's not always possible to prevent incidents from occurring, so it's important to have a reaction plan for when something does happen. People should have a fire escape plan of which all members of the household should be aware. Everyone in a household should also know emergency contact numbers and how to dial them.

If you plan on leaving for a significant period of time, turn off all lights and electronics, and close and lock all doors and windows.

Summer brings many great opportunities for travel and fun at Incirlik and beyond the gates. Heed these tips for a safe and fun season.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov or call the safety office at 676-7233.