Written by Rebecca Budde, SIU School of Medicine
Summertime means fun time, but doctors caution that summer also harbors hazards for the irresponsible and uninformed. While you’re waiting for company to arrive for your 4th of July celebration, test your summer safety knowledge.
1. True or False?
The emergency department sees more patients in the summer than during other times of the year.
2. How many motor-vehicle deaths are related to alcohol impairment?
A. Half B. One-third C. One-fourth D. None
3. A sparkler can heat up to
A. 212° B. 500° C. 1200° D. 4150°
4. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least
A. 165° B. 200° C. 335° D. none of the above
5. The hours when the sun is at its peak are
A. 10 am – 4 pm B. Noon – 3 pm C. 1 pm – 6 pm D. 7 am – 11 am
1. True. According to emergency medicine physician Dr. Ted Clark, ER doctors tend to see more patients in the summer. “We refer to this time of year as ‘trauma season’ in the ER; typically it’s May through August. It’s tempting to keep the kids inside to protect them from all these possible injuries, but I encourage parents to allow their children to be outside and to play,” Dr. Clark says. “In the long run, avoiding the sedentary lifestyle is going to do a lot more for a child’s health than the short-term risk of injury.”
2. B. Nothing says summer fun like a backyard BBQ, but if you decide to drink alcohol at your 4th of July festivity, take precaution. Nearly one-third of motor-vehicle deaths are related to alcohol impairment, according to the CDC.
The highest group of fatalities occurs among those between the ages of 21-25, according to SIU substance abuse counselor and psychotherapist Ron Kanwischer. Additionally, studies show that a higher blood alcohol concentration leads to a greater risk of injury from a traffic accident, and the injuries will be more significant too.
Kanwisher offers these tips to stay safe during the party-going holiday season:
- Before the event, decide who will be the designated driver.
- Call a taxi if you’re unsure of your/your driver’s ability to drive safely.
- Ask your friends for their keys if you feel that they are too impaired to drive, or offer them a ride if you have a designated driver.
- If you host a party, have plenty of food available, offer non-alcoholic drinks and have a cab company’s number readily available.
3. C. “Even things as seemingly innocent as sparklers can actually cause some intense injuries,” says emergency medicine physician, Dr. Jason Kegg. “The always-safe advice is that fireworks are best used by those who are trained to do so.” Dr. Kegg recommends keeping fireworks, matches and lighters away from children and adults who have been drinking; stay in an open area with water and a phone nearby. Setting off fireworks by an untrained individual could result in loss of sight, loss of fingers or toes, severe burns or damage to property.
4. A. Symptoms of foodborne illness may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. To avoid a terrible BBQ backlash on your health, the CDC offers these tips:
- Wash hands and surfaces often
- Separate raw food from cooked
- Cook food thoroughly
- Chill foods properly and don’t leave out in the summer heat for too long
5. A. Between 10 am and 4 pm is when we get the most ultraviolet radiation from the sun. “One of the things that we teach children is to avoid being in the direct sunlight when your shadow is shorter than you are,” says SIU dermatologist Lucinda Buescher. Dr. Buescher recommends applying sunscreen of at least SPF 15 approximately 20-30 minutes before heading outdoors. She also says it’s important to reapply every two hours and wear protective clothing when possible.
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