Healthy Habits: Common Summer Injuries

Common Summer Injuries

With summer in full swing, many people end up dealing with devastating injuries from their favorite summer activities. Playing sports, lighting fireworks, going to the beach, riding ATVs, and hiking are all be enjoyable summer activities, but they can all lead to serious injuries if you don't follow proper safety protocols. How can you prevent yourself from dealing with painful injuries this summer?

ATV and Car Accidents

Many people take to the roads in summer for fun family vacations and ATV riding. When towing a trailer, always be on high alert because an accident can happen at any moment. There are more drivers on the road in the summer, including more teen drivers. It is important to always wear your seatbelt and drive the speed limit. Do not use your phone in the car, and reduce distractions while driving. Only allow individuals with proper accredited training courses to drive an ATV and make sure all passengers and drivers wear their helmets and proper protection. ATV rollovers caused by high speeds, inadequate training, and risky behavior are common. It is important to drive slowly and safely, especially on unpaved roads, and always use an ATV during the day, when it is easier to see. Serious accidents can lead to broken bones, severe burns, and other serious injuries. Always carry a cell phone with you to contact emergency personnel if you are involved in a car or ATV accident.

Swimming

The water calls to just about everyone in the summer when the heat kicks in. Make sure everyone in your family knows how to swim. Put up a fence around your pool to keep kids away from the water when you are not outside. You are also at severe risk of sunburns and dehydration while swimming. People often assume they are not dehydrated when they are in water but your body burns through a lot of energy while swimming and needs the water to remain hydrated. Make sure everyone is drinking at least 8-10 ounces of water per hour they are in the pool. Always wear sunscreen and reapply it regularly to protect your skin. Serious sunburns land many people in the hospital, and can leave you with long-term skin damage.

Sports

Just about everyone enjoys family BBQs and summer sports. Whether you are involved in an organized sport or just out playing for fun, it is easy to end up with a broken bone or sprained ankle. If the sport you are playing requires a helmet, always wear it. Traumatic brain injury can easily occur if you are hit improperly while playing a physical contact sport.

Fireworks 

The summer brings a lot of celebrations, and fireworks are always part of the fun. It is important to follow safety precautions, like keeping a bucket of water nearby when using fireworks. Fireworks can cause serious burns if mishandled, so keep children far away and make sure you supervise teenagers. Never light fireworks in restricted areas, such as in the mountains where you run the risk of starting a wildfire.

This article was provided by Samantha Greenbaum, active, health-conscious mother of two. If you have suffered your own summer injury like Samantha’s pinched nerve, Gulf Coast Spine Care is a great place to help treat these injuries.