Happy Summer!

June marks the beginning of summer, where the living is easy - pool, vacations, no school, and warm weather.

It is also a time for me to do my yard work. Weeding, cutting down vines from trees and planting our garden. Here is a pic of a rock wall I'm building. Something about the hard work and geometry of putting rocks together is a great escape for me.

Summer safety is important too. Guess which months have the highest incidence of teen auto crashes, water related incidents and ATV wrecks? - June, July, and August.

Summer brings more ER visits, water incidents, and work injuries. The most dangerous month, day and time to drive? August, Saturday, night. I'm writing not for us to be aware, not scare. Here's a blog and link to teen driving training.

Heat stroke can strike anyone, but people who work outside and the elderly are particularly at risk. Wear loose fitting, lightly colored clothing and stay ultra-hydrated. Drink even when you don't think you need to. Early warning sign = leg cramps. People with heat stroke will not sweat (counter intuitive).

Don't leave your pet in the car. Gets hot in there quicker than you think. 16 States have laws against this. Click here for details.

It goes without saying that everyone regardless of age should wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, but I will include that reminder in here anyway. Cyclists should wear brightly colored clothing and make sure that their bikes have reflectors appropriate for dusk (and night).

Want to not ride an ATV - read the latest CPSC annual report on ATV injuries and deaths here. . Do not allow children on ATVs. They are not designed to carry a passenger and you should always wear a helmet. ATVs are inherently defective as I have shown in a few cases: they have deceptively high centers of gravity and no wheel differential which cause them to too easily roll over.
Water safety and water incidents greatly increase as well. Urge them to make good decisions (tell the boys they don’t have to show off).Never leave a child unattended near a body of water. It doesn’t take much water for a person to drown. Make sure that young children are equipped with proper flotation devices like water wings and life vests. Also beware of diving in water of unknown depths and never swim alone.

When boating, never operate the vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol and always steer clear of people floating and swimming in the water.

Every year we get calls from folks with firework injuries. It is best to let sober adults handle fireworks and to keep children a safe distance away.