As the temperatures in Jefferson County hit the scorching 90s, residents look for ways to beat the heat and have fun. Swimming at community pools, float trips on the Meramec and other rivers, and days spent running through sprinklers or playing at local park splash pads offer opportunities for kids (and adults) to cool off when the thermostat soars.
First responders understand that fun in the sun can also lead to accidents. The North Jefferson County Ambulance District crews want the public to stay safe this summer. Chill out (safely!) with our list of summer safety tips.
Table of Contents:
Don’t Get Burned: Follow These Sun Safety Tips
Stay Hydrated!
Slather on Sunscreen
Understand the Signs of Heat Exhaustion
Learn Procedures to Administer First Aid for Heat Exhaustion
What is a Heat Stroke?
Lifesaving Water Safety Tips
Community and Home Pool Safety Tips
River Safety Tips for Float Trips in Missouri
Buggin’: Tips To Protect Against Insects
Key Takeaways:
Missouri’s hot summers lead to heat emergencies and water emergencies, too. When cooling off in the water (at pools or on the river), abide by safety best practices. Remember to stay hydrated, pack a first aid kit, and protect the skin with sunscreen. All individuals on the river need a life jacket, and weaker swimmers (or small children) should use a life jacket in pools.
Don’t Get Burned: Follow These Sun Safety Tips
Extreme St. Louis heat leads to emergency medical calls every year. According to the Missouri Department of Public Safety State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), 250 individuals died from heat-related causes (hyperthermia) from 2010-2019. SEMA reports that 110 of these heat-related fatalities were 65 years and older.
While seniors have a higher risk of heat-related emergencies, any individual exposed to extreme temperatures during summer days can suffer from heat exhaustion or even a heat stroke. It’s important for the public to understand the signs of heat emergencies and learn how to take action.
Stay Hydrated!
When working or playing in extreme heat, hydration is crucial to staying safe. The body naturally cools down by sweating, but this process leads to water loss and dehydration. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend drinking water before heading outdoors. On days of extreme heat, the CDC notes that proper hydration requires drinking 8 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes; this amounts to 24 to 32 ounces of water per hour.
Many large refillable cups hold 32 ounces of water. Keep the container filled with water and ice and drink regularly. While swimming in a pool (or the river) keeps the body cool, it’s still very important to drink plenty of water.
Slather On Sunscreen
Sun exposure leads to sunburns and sun damage to skin. In extreme cases, sunburns cause blistering and peeling of skin. Always remember to apply sunscreen; opt for an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply sunscreen per the directions on the bottle. Most need to be reapplied every few hours. Look for sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Understand the Signs of Heat Exhaustion
Dehydration causes the body to overheat, leading to heat exhaustion or, in severe cases, heat stroke. Hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) requires immediate attention and quick response. Know the signs of heat exhaustion:
Fast pulse
Heavy sweating/perspiration
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
Goosebumps or cooler skin
Cramps
Learn Procedures to Administer First Aid for Heat Exhaustion
The treatment for heat exhaustion is to cool the body down simply. Take the individual into an air-conditioned area or a cooler space. Encourage them to sit down and drink. Some individuals are extremely sensitive to heat; it’s important to take breaks when playing or working outside in the heat. Understand the body’s signals to slow down.
What is Heat Stroke?
If left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke. This is an extremely dangerous medical situation, and requires immediate emergency response. Individuals suffering from heat stroke have a dangerously elevated body temperature; they may be incoherent, unconscious, vomiting, or nauseated. Dial 911 when heat stroke is suspected, and, when waiting for emergency crews, move the individual to a cooler place and begin to lower the body temperature with cool towels or ice.
Lifesaving Water Safety Tips
Every year, dozens of individuals drown in Missouri’s waters. In 2021, drowning took the lives of nearly four dozen individuals. Waters and lakes are beautiful and refreshing during hot summer days; unfortunately, these bodies of water can also be extremely dangerous when individuals don’t follow safety protocols. Here’s how to stay cool when enjoying pools, rivers, and lakes.
Community and Home Pool Safety Tips
All private home pools should have a safety fence with a lock to ensure no one accidentally enters the area and drowns. Community pools always have a fence, and many hire lifeguards to monitor swimmers.
Children can drown in inches of water. For this reason, parents and caregivers must be diligent in following safety best practices at all pools. Here are 10 pool safety tips to follow this summer:
Never let children in pool areas unattended.
Never run in the pool area. Pavement and wood decks become slippery, leading to falls and other accidents.
Insist that weaker swimmers wear a life vest. Inflatable swimming rings and wings are toys and will not protect swimmers. Use only Coast Guard-approved flotation devices.
Choose bright-colored swimwear. Neon orange and pink shows up best in pools. Some colors like blue, green, and white look nearly invisible in blue pool water. Dark colors like red and black are easily mistaken for debris. Bright colors save lives!
The safe depth for diving is 9 feet. Do NOT dive in shallower depths.
Wait one hour after eating to swim. Swimming after eating can lead to cramps and nausea.
Avoid drains and filters. These can lead to serious accidents and injuries.
Don’t swim alone.
Never try to save a struggling swimmer in the water; encourage the swimmer to grab a rope or a rod. Struggling swimmers can panic, leading to both individuals drowning.
Be a sober swimmer. Never swim under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
River Safety Tips for Float Trips in Missouri
Many residents in Jeff Co enjoy hitting the river in canoes or rafts for a relaxing float trip. Rivers are natural bodies of water, and they are unpredictable. Before embarking on a float trip down the river, be mindful of important safety precautions. More people die in rivers and lakes than in private (or public) swimming pools. River currents quickly overwhelm swimmers who are not accustomed to swimming in free-flowing waters. Meramec River currents vary in swiftness, and all rivers hide dangerous undertows that can pull down an unsuspecting swimmer.
The North Jefferson County Ambulance District crews have responded to numerous water emergencies on the Meramec. Unfortunately, not all of these emergencies ended well. Our crews urge all Jefferson County residents to be mindful of the dangers of the river and learn how to be safer on Missouri’s natural waterways:
Always wear a life jacket. You may be a strong swimmer, but the current takes even the best swimmers by surprise. Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Know how to determine the river’s depth. Still water is often very deep. But even shallow depths can be incredibly dangerous because of natural currents.
Beware of strains. A strain refers to any debris that lets water swiftly pass through while straining out larger objects (like canoes or people). Strong, powerful strains can tip canoes or rafts.
Know how to swim out of a current. Most importantly, don’t panic! Swim with the current and navigate diagonally towards the shore.
Never swim alone.
Don’t dive into a river. Jump in feet first. River depth varies, and rivers also hide rocks and tree limbs.
Watch out for snakes and snapping turtles. Drag your feet along the bottom when entering the river.
Always pack a first aid kit; store all items in a waterproof bag, and include all the necessities (ointment, bandages, disinfectant wipes, scissors, pain reliever, antihistamine, etc.).
Pay attention to river warning signs posted by park personnel. Red means the river is too dangerous for swimmers, yellow means to be extra cautious, and green is ideal.
Swim, boat, and float sober! The river does not mix with drugs and alcohol.
Buggin’: Tips To Protect Against Insects
Summer gets buggy in Missouri. When floating down the river, lounging by the pool, or just playing outdoors, remember to stay protected against nasty insect bites. Use a water-repellent bug spray to mitigate ticks and mosquitos. Always pack an antihistamine in the event of a bee or wasp sting. Remember to be on the lookout for bee or wasp hives.
While many individuals think of mosquito and tick bites as itchy, uncomfortable nuisances, these bites can inflict far greater damage to the body. Ticks cause illnesses like Lyme disease, and mosquitoes carry Zika and West Nile viruses. Protect against these pests, and always pack bug spray!
Enjoy a Relaxing and Safe Summer
The North Jefferson County Ambulance District crews want all residents to enjoy their summer days safely. Whether the long summer days are spent on the river, at the pool, or out in the yard, be safe. Stay hydrated, adhere to safety best practices at the pool and on the river, and don’t forget the bug spray and sunscreen. Most importantly, look out for your neighbors and foster a safe community.