Summer Safety Tips

Now that we are in the thick of summer here in St. Louis, fun summer recreational activities are becoming a regular part
of our plans. Unfortunately getting out and enjoying the good weather also brings an increase in injuries. Whether you
are boating, swimming, riding around on an ATV or motorcycle, or hitting the water on a wave runner or jet ski, you
should always practice safety first.

I am particularly troubled by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s recent report of 10
drowning deaths so far in June on Missouri’s rivers and lakes. Unfortunately the majority of the drowning
accidents we do see disproportionately involve small children.

Keep safety on your mind this summer as you participate in the following activities:

BE PREPARED FOR HOT TEMPERATURES

Heat stroke can strike anyone, but people who work outdoors and the elderly are particularly at risk. Wear loose
fitting, lightly colored clothing and stay ultra-hydrated with sports drinks. An early warning sign of heat stroke is
cramping in the legs. If you experience cramping, take a break from your activity and hydrate yourself until the
cramping is gone.

SWIMMING AND BOATING

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.

FUN WITH FIREWORKS

Every year we see people with blast injuries, burns, scars and disfigurement from handling fireworks. It is best to let
sober adults handle fireworks and to keep children a safe distance away.

RIDING YOUR BIKE

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 nighttime driving.

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES, DIRT BIKES AND MOTORCYCLES

Here is a sad statistic: Children account for 30 percent of all ATV related deaths and emergency room treated injuries.
Do not allow children who are not old enough to drive to operate these recreational vehicles. Keep in mind that most
ATVs are not designed to carry a passenger and you should always wear a helmet.

MOWING THE LAWN

We tend to see a lot of projectile object injuries that stem from accidents with lawnmowers. Be sure to remove sticks
and stones from the lawn prior to mowing. Always wear hearing and eye protection and shoes that provide superior
projection. That means no sandals when cutting the grass.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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