Page 39 - Occupational Health & Safety, June 2019

NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH
Heed These Summer Recreation Safety Tips for National Safety Month
BY RALPH BLESSING
www.ohsonline.com
JUNE 2019 | Occupational Health & Safety 35
In 1996, the National Safety Council (NSC) estab- lished June as National Safety Month in the Unit- ed States. The goal? Increase public awareness of the leading safety and health risks in order to
decrease the number of injuries and deaths at homes and workplaces.
Each June, the NSC and other organizations of- fer information on safety issues such as falls, driver safety, fatigue, drug safety, emergency preparedness, and more.
As June is also the official start of summer, it is a good opportunity to take a moment and consider summer safety. While these tips are not comprehen- sive for every leisure activity, there are meant to pro- vide practical advice so you can enjoy yourself safely.
Recreational Water Safety
Water offers the most common way to beat the heat, and swimming is one of the most popular ways to do so. From backyard pools to local lakes and beaches, there are many places to swim, play or relax; however, water can pose safety issues for families. According to the U.S. Lifesaving Association, more than 100 drownings occur every year in the United States due to rip currents in the ocean. In fact, the USA Swim- ming Foundation reports an average of 19 children drown every year during the Fourth of July holiday.
In addition to taking swimming lessons, learning CPR, and maintaining a close watch on those in or around the water, particularly children, keep these things in mind:
■ Swim in supervised areas. Don’t go in the water unless you know how to swim. If you or your children cannot, take swimming lessons beforehand or enter the water only where there is trained supervision.
■ Stay calm in a rip current. Swimmers who get caught in a rip current are urged not to try to fight it. Stay calm and float with it or try to swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and can swim freely.
■ Keep rescue equipment nearby. Make sure there are life jackets, ring buoys, and other rescue equipment near the body of water. A first aid kit should be available, too.
■ Swim in safe areas. Dive only in areas that are known to be safe, such as the deep end of a supervised pool or lake. Avoid jumping in headfirst.
■ No horseplay. Do not push, shove, dunk, or indulge in horseplay around the swimming pool, because this can lead to falls, accidental injuries or death.
■ Avoid alcohol. Never drink alcohol before go- ing into or being in the water. It can impair reflexes, vision, and judgment.
M. A. Arkhipov/Shutterstock.com