Do You Know the Most Common Summertime Injuries?

Happy Summer Solstice! Today marks the longest day of the year and the first official day of Summer.

Did you know Emergency Room visits go up roughly 20% in the Summer months due to common "Summertime injuries?"

Now is a great time to unwind and get outside but it's important to know some basic Summertime injury facts and prevention tips beforehand to make it as enjoyable as possible. 

Lawn mowers: These are the major cause of foot and ankle amputations to children. Do not operate a riding mower when children are present. Do not let your children ride on a mower, even with an adult. Mowers should not be used at dusk or night when it is difficult to see. 

Adults, too, are at risk for mower-related injuries -- far more so than children, because they are the ones operating the devices. In 2011, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 83,000 people were treated in U.S. ERs for lawn mower injuries.

Never wear sandals when mowing a lawn; always be on the lookout for other people, children, rocks and branches; and whether you're pushing or riding, watch out for steep grades.

On the road: Car seats for young children and seat belts for older passengers offer the best protection from injury and death in an accident. 

A sixteen-year-old carrying two friends in the car triples the risk of a crash. Add a third passenger and the risk is increased almost seven-fold. Young drivers should always be aware, free from distraction and carefully monitored and taught the rules of the road.

Bicycles: Some cycling accidents are caused by high speed and user negligence, but it's also important to check the bike each spring to make sure brakes and tires are in good working order. If you have a child, make sure the bike still fits him -- and make sure that the helmet still fits, too.

And while most cycling spills are routine, bicycle-vs.-automobile accidents are also more common in the summer months (that's true for both adults and children). Bicycle riders are required to follow the rules of the road just as automobile operators. Wear reflective gear, always wear a helmet, know the hand signals for turning and be aware of your surroundings when riding on the road.

For pedestrians: Basic advice for pedestrians includes walking on sidewalks, using marked crosswalks, observing traffic signals and watching for turning vehicles. To be more visible to drivers, wear brightly colored clothing during the day and special reflective materials at night.

Pedestrians should be extra cautious about marked crosswalks without signal lights. They may not offer any more protection than an intersection without a crosswalk.

Finally, children younger than 10 should not be allowed to cross the street alone. They are often impulsive and may have difficulty judging speed, spatial relations and distance. 

Bites: Dog bites result in thousands of hospital ER visits every year, and researchers say that children are more likely to be bitten by dogs in the summer months. While adults are more likely to be bitten on arms or legs, children are more likely than adults to be bitten on the head, neck and face. Keeps dogs leashed in public areas and watch children around unfamiliar or unknown animals.

Falls: It's a generic category, but it's also the biggest one -- from jungle gyms, to skateboarding accidents, to bare feet slipping on wet surfaces, to run-of-the-mill face-plants on the concrete, falling onto something hard is the traumatic event most likely to land a kid or an adult in the ER. Seniors are susceptible year-round, while adults climbing ladders are especially at risk in the summer.

Over the past five years, falls have exceeded motor vehicle crashes as the top reason for a trauma hospitalization.

Enjoy the sun, warmth and laid back ease of the Summer and stay safe!

Remember, if you or a loved one has suffered an injury or you've lost a loved one due to the negligence of another, be it an accident, fall, dog bite or property related injury, the Pisanchyn Law Firm can help. Contact us for a free consultation. There is never a fee, we only pay you the money you deserve.