Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Summer Safety Tips KTAB

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Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Information:

There are 4 key areas related to summer travel safety, swimming / water safety, heat / sun and bug safety. Why summer security? Some statistics:

To travel

  • About 1,700 cases of US travelers overseas contract malaria each year.
  • Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of healthy US citizens overseas.

Water safety

  • Each year, there are approximately 3,500 fatal accidental drownings (not related to boating) in the United States, or about 10 deaths per day. (332 additional people following navigation accidents)
  • 1 in 5 drowning deaths are children aged 14 and under. For every child who dies from drowning, 5 more receive emergency care for non-fatal submersion injuries.
  • More than 50% of drowning victims treated in emergencies require hospitalization or additional care.

Thermal safety

  • The heat kills more than 600 people in the United States each year. It is therefore important to prevent heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion and sunburn.
  • Extreme heat is the greatest risk for people under 4 and over 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions or who live in homes without air conditioning.

Insect safety

  • Mosquitoes are one of the deadliest creatures in the world. Mosquito-borne diseases include Zika virus, dengue fever, malaria, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and others. Globally, mosquitoes cause more than 2.7 million deaths each year, with more than 500 million cases of mosquito-borne diseases each year.
  • In 2018, there were approximately 54,000 cases of vector-borne diseases in the United States

Travel tips:

  1. Check the CDC’s travelers website for updates and health concerns.
  2. Make an appointment for vaccines / antimalarial drugs, etc., at least one month before travel.
  3. Make copies of your passport to have in each bag.
  4. Take a travel health kit (prescription and over-the-counter medications, first aid supplies, health card, etc.).
  5. Sign up for the US State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get the latest security updates and emergency assistance.
  6. Leave copies of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards and passport with someone at home.
  7. Check your health insurance plan for overseas coverage. If you aren’t covered, consider purchasing additional health care and emergency evacuation coverage.
  8. Wear seat belts and choose a safe method of transportation.
  9. Drink bottled and sealed beverages, piping hot coffee / tea, and avoid ice cubes.

Swimming tips:

  1. Check out the latest inspection score for the pools you plan to swim in. Look for inspection notes online or on site.
  2. Never swim alone.
  3. Never leave young children unsupervised near water.
  4. Make sure the drains are visible at the bottom of the pool.
  5. Check the lifeguards. If no lifeguard is present, locate the safety equipment (rescue ring / pole).
  6. Use the toilet before entering the pool. Take the children to the bathroom and check the diapers every hour.
  7. Stay out of the water if you have diarrhea, open cuts / wounds, and rinse for 1 minute before entering the pool and after exiting.
  8. Dry the ears thoroughly after swimming.
  9. If you swim in open water (lakes, rivers, beaches), check warnings and safety information.
  10. Wash your hands before eating or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Thermal safety tips:

  1. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. When working in the heat, drink 1 cup (8 ounces) of water every 15 to 20 minutes, or 24 to 32 ounces per hour). Drinking at shorter intervals is more effective. Drink no more than 48 ounces per hour.
  2. Wear light, loose clothing.
  3. Wear hats, sunglasses and long sleeves for outdoor activities.
  4. Use a high SPF sunscreen to protect yourself from sunburn. Unprotected skin can burn in as little as 15 minutes, but can take up to 12 hours for the skin to show damage. Wear sunscreen on sunny and cloudy days.
  5. Stay out of direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when possible (when UV rays are at their highest).
  6. Stay in the shade when possible.
  7. Stay in the air conditioning during hot hours.
  8. Pay attention to heat advisories.

Insect safety tips:

  1. Remove standing water (any amount).
  2. Use insect repellant.
  3. Plant lemongrass, basil, marigolds, catnip, lavender, and lemon balm.
  4. Keep your garden tidy

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