Summer Safety Survival Guide

By BEA KARNES (Patch Staff)

Ah summer--trips to the mountains and beach, hiking and swimming--it’s all part of this glorious time of year. But summer also has some pitfalls to avoid. We’ve gathered some safety tips for you to make sure your memories bring smiles, not tears.

Snake Bites:

Two very young children were bitten by rattlesnakes this month. Ishneed Kaur, 2, was bitten in the backyard of her home in Pittsburg; while in Folsom, a 4-year-old boy was bitten on a bike trail.

Safety tips:

• If you see a snake, stop and keep your distance. Give the snake plenty of room to get away.
• When hiking, wear heavy boots that are four inches above the ankle, and long pants.
• In hot weather, snakes seek cool areas. Always watch where you step and be sure to look for snakes in areas of high brush, under logs and when stepping over logs, or fallen trees.
• In cool weather, snakes seek warmer areas. Be observant for snakes sunning on rocks or trails, especially during the cooler times of day.
• NEVER try to touch a snake or scare it away; give the snake space and back away to a safe place.

See More:

Watch Where You Walk! Snakebite Season Is Here

Hot Cars:

A 3-year-old Pamona girl died when she was accidentally left in a car after a family outing on Father’s Day.

In light of that tragedy, the Livermore Police Department reports that when it’s 95 degrees outside, the temperature in your car can soar to 114 degrees in 10 minutes.

Safety tips:

• Remember to “look before you lock” and don’t leave your children or pets inside your vehicle.
• If you see a child or pet left alone in a car in the heat, you should call 911 immediately.

See More:

Police Issue Heat Warning About Leaving Kids and Pets in Cars

Toddler Accidentally Left in Vehicle Dies in Northeast L.A. County

Water:

Most people, from toddlers to senior citizens, love a dip in cool water on a hot day. Whether in a swimming pool, the ocean, a lake or stream--water on a hot summer day is alluring. Unfortunately, it can also be deadly. This month, a 13-month-old girl drowned in a backyard pool in Concord; and a woman was pulled lifeless from a backyard pool in Lake Elsinore.

And then there’s the bizarre problem of “dry drowning,” where kids who’ve inhaled water while swimming end up in danger hours later. Dr. Lewis Maharam explained it to CBS2, “They had a normal day and then they go to bed and they’re coughing or they’re wheezing or their parents see bubbling from the mouth.” If this happens to your child, go to the emergency room immediately.

Safety Tips:

These safety tips are from the American Red Cross--

• Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
• Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
• Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
• Maintain constant supervision.
• Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and learn-to-swim courses.
• If you have a pool, secure it with appropriate barriers. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time.
• Avoid distractions when supervising children around water.
• If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
• Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
• Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
• Enroll in Red Cross home pool safety, water safety, first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies.
• Protect your skin. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15.
• Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.

See More:

Police: Child’s Drowning In Concord Appears Accidental

Woman Drowns in Lake Elsinore Backyard Pool

Fires:

This one is a huge issue in California every summer, but especially this year because of our drought. Huge wildfires have already flared in Southern California, while firefighters in Northern California have been able to keep blazes to a minimum.

Safety Tips:

Your best chance of saving your home from wildfire is to take precautions now. These tips are from the National Fire Protection Association--

• CLEAR leaves and other vegetative debris from roofs, gutters, porches and decks. This helps prevent embers from igniting your home.
• REMOVE dead vegetation and other items from under your deck or porch, and within 10 feet of the house.
• SCREEN in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
• REMOVE flammable materials (wood piles, propane tanks) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck or porch.
• PRUNE trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground.
• KEEP your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire. Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger.
• DISPOSE of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire.
• INSPECT shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair the shingles that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration.
• COVER exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home.
• ENCLOSE eaves and screen soffit vents using 1/8 mesh metal screening to prevent ember entry.

See More:

Lake Fire Flares Up Over Night, Containment Reduces to 21%

UPDATE: Structure Burned, Firefighter Injured in 53-Acre Brush Fire East of Livermore

--Photo via Patch Archive