| Be careful out there to prevent warm weather accidents |
|
By: MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
|
Posted: Sunday, April 5, 2009 7:27 am
|
 Email  Print
|
Jake Anderson "fuels up" before taking a ride on his bike.
|
|
|
As the weather warms, children and families tend to spend more time outdoors, participating in activities or just working or playing in the yard.
But be careful. It’s dangerous out there.
Dr. Kevin Beier, chairman of emergency medicine at Middle Tennessee Medical Center, has spent 14 years in the emergency department. Over those years, he has seen many children injured or worse from accidents that could have been prevented.
“The most common summer illness is not heat related but trauma related,” he said, adding much of it is preventable by taking some minor precautions and being aware of your surroundings.
Injuries from bicycles, four-wheelers and lawn mowers are most common over the summer months, he said.
Beier said many of these injuries and illnesses aren’t restricted to children, adults are at risk, too, especially if alcohol is involved.
“Don’t mix drinking with driving any kind of vehicle,” he said.
Bicycling is a staple of any childhood, but it can cause serious injury and sends more than 300,000 children to the hospital nationwide annually.
Beier said most of the bicycle-related injuries are minor, like road rash, but some include head trauma from the rider not wearing a helmet.
Children bumping their heads on the pavement can cause serious injury to the brain and possibly end in death
“Make sure you wear a helmet. It’s critical,” he said.
Bike helmets should fit properly, have a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sticker and the straps should always be fastened snugly around the head.
As for four-wheelers and lawn mowers, Beier said to keep children less than 16 years old from driving them, because injuries can be “fairly serious.
“We’ve already had a lawnmower injury this year,” he said, explaining a child was playing in the yard and his big toe was cut severely.
According to the CPSC, more than 60,000 mower-related injuries are treated by hospital emergency rooms each year nationwide.
CPSC suggests keeping children away from mowers at all times, never assume they will stay out of the way, be aware of flying debris from the mower and always attend the mower while it’s running.
“No. 1 thing to remember with trauma is to be careful about putting yourself in a bad position,” Beier said.
Activity-related injuries, illnesses
Sports-related injuries are also common in the summer, especially in baseball and softball players, Beier said.
“These are mostly unavoidable and part of the risk of playing,” he said.
Most often players will come to the emergency department with minor injuries, like sprained ankles and twisted knees.
But broken bones can also occur, if players take their eye off the ball.
Drownings are more likely in the summer, affecting both children and adults, Beier said.
“If you have a pool be particularly careful to keep the kids out of the pool unless they’re supervised,” he said.
Adults with medical conditions that can cause dizziness or sudden loss of consciousness should never swim alone, he added.
Heat-related illnesses are also a common compliant in the emergency department, he said.
Even with air-conditioners and fans, the summer can take its toll on the sick, children and elderly. According to the National Weather Service, 175 people die on average from heat related illnesses every year.
According to Tennessee Department of Health, 415 Tennesseans visited an emergency room due to heat-related illnesses in 2005, more than half of those during July and August.
Exposure to excessive heat can cause the body’s internal temperature to rise to dangerous levels, which can produce cramps, heat exhaustion and, possibly fatal, heat stroke.
Beier suggested adults and children should take it easy outdoors until they get used to the higher temperatures of summer.
“Make sure to work slowly at first,” he said. “Don’t spend 10 hours in the yard when it’s 86 degrees out in the spring.”
Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and not just when you’re thirsty, he said.
“Heat-related illnesses are relatively frequent, but can be avoided if people take care of themselves,” he said.
And remember to wear sunscreen, if you or the kids are spending anytime outdoors.
Sunscreen is the best way to prevent skin cancer, and a painful burn. It should be reapplied every two hours to maintain coverage.
Taking care of yourself is Beier’s basic advice for avoiding most injuries and subsequent trips to the emergency room.
“Don’t put yourself at risk,” he said. But if you do get injured, don’t hesitate to take that trip to the doctor or hospital.
Beier said MTMC has implemented procedures to make trips to the emergency department easier and faster.
“We’ve placed processes in the emergency department to expedite patient care and get people back to their activities as soon as possible,” he said.
He also welcomes questions about illness and injuries, which can be answered by emergency staff at 396-6901.
Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com. |
|
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Google
Yahoo!