Seasonal Safety
In Midtown and Michigan, every season brings a different set of potential safety hazards to be aware of. Being aware of potential hazards and learning what precautions to take will help minimize the effects of seasonal safety concerns. Your Midtown Neighborhood Association is here to make sure you feel safe during all the seasonal changes you might encounter.
Spring
Spring gardening and cleaning. It’s high time to get the yard in shape and dust off the cobwebs, but be careful about hidden dangers in gardening and cleaning products.
Poisoning is a concern regardless of the season, but generally, products that were hidden away – such as poisons for outdoor use or fertilizers – become more accessible to kids come springtime.
Kids may think that poison is safe to ingest, especially if the substance is placed in a bottle that is similar to a drinking bottle. The smallest amounts of poison can harm a child. In fact, a teaspoonful of poison is enough to cause serious damage.
It’s best if parents store their gardening and cleaning products in their original containers and away from children's reach. In addition, post the Poison Center phone number beside the phone of your home and entered it into your mobile phone.
Summer
Never leave an infant or young child alone in a closed car in the summer.
Keep the Kids Hydrated. Remember to drink plenty of water when you’re outside in the heat. Children playing summer sports should drink water the night before a day of practice, and keep drinking all day long before they become thirsty. People who work outside are at the greatest risk. Bring a cooler with water so you don’t run out.
Monitor Seniors’ Medications. Older people or people with heart conditions, diabetes, and other health problems will need to be extra cautious about the heat. That doesn’t mean they need to stay indoors all summer. Far from it. But they won’t have the stamina they once did. And they may be taking medication that interferes with warning signs for heat exposure. Thirst, for example, is an early warning signal of dehydration. But some medicines make patients feel thirsty all the time, so they may not recognize thirst from overheating.
Stay Safe Around Water. My advice here is short and sweet: Never let a child near water unattended. And watch him or her constantly. A child can drown in six inches of water, or wander from the shallow end of the pool to the deep end in a moment. Always wear an approved life jacket in a boat. With that said, enjoy yourself.
Protect Your Skin Against Sunburn. If you put sunscreen on at the beginning of a day of outdoor play or work and then forget about it, please rethink your approach. Sweat and water wash away sunscreen, regardless of what the label says, so it’s best to reapply every hour or two. I preach protection because sunburn makes you more vulnerable to skin cancer later on in life.
Autumn
Be safe on Halloween.
Change smoke alarm batteries. The batteries should be changed twice per year. Many people use Daylight Savings Time as an easy way to remember to change smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries.
Make sure your heater is working. Before it gets too chilly, turn it on to test and make sure it sufficiently heats up your house. If it seems weak or isn’t working at all, call a professional. You don’t want to get stuck in a bind when the weather hits freezing temperatures.
Watch for children. School is back in session, so watch street corners for children waiting for buses and make sure you follow correct road laws when it comes to stopping for school buses. Children also like playing in piles of leaves. Be safe in neighborhoods where leaves may pile up.
Be safe driving in the dark and bright sunshine. The amount of daylight decreases through autumn and winter, which means you’ll spend more time driving in the dark. Make sure you’re using your headlights correctly and focus on your route. You’ll also need to be careful in the morning. This time of year, the bright sunshine typically rises during morning rush hour. Have sunglasses on hand to protect your eyes.
Put together an emergency kit for your car. You never know when car trouble could arise. You may find yourself stuck on the side of the road in the rain, snow, or at night. Put together a first aid kit, a flashlight, jumper cables, a blanket, and other devices you think might be helpful.
Get a flu shot and prepare for other illnesses. Protect yourself and those around you from becoming sick. Many pharmacies and walk-in clinics are available to give you a flu shot. Washing your hands on a regular basis will get rid of germs. Avoid going to work or school when you’re sick. Your co-workers and fellow students will thank you.
Winter
Carbon Monoxide. This is a great time to make sure your home has a carbon monoxide alarm on every level, especially near sleeping areas, and keep them at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances. If you’re warming up a vehicle, don’t forget to remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. It’s extremely dangerous to leave a car, SUV, or motorcycle engine running inside a garage.
Car Seats and Winter Coats. We know you want your little ones to be warm, but please don’t buckle your child into a car seat while wearing a bulky coat. The coat can compress in a crash and create a loose car seat harness, putting your child at greater risk of injury in the event of a crash. Instead, lay the jacket over your children like a blanket once they’re safely secured.
Sleep Safety. Extra blankets can seem so cozy in a baby’s crib but soft bedding can block a baby’s airway during sleep. A firm mattress covered with a tight-fitting crib sheet is all you need for your baby to sleep well. If you’re worried about keeping your baby warm on those cold winter nights, try using a sleepsack (wearable blanket). They’re pretty cozy, too.
Winter Sports. Kids love to push the limits when they’re skiing or snowboarding. Make sure they wear helmets and other proper gear to keep them safe if they fall on the slopes. Kids also might not be inclined to drink as much water when they’re playing in cold weather because they don’t get as hot. Remind them to stay properly hydrated.
Fire Safety. Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of your house in case of a fire. This can be a fun activity for the whole family. And remember to keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
Have a fun and safe winter.
