Summer Safety Tips

Tips for Working in the Summer Heat

Summer Safety

  • Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
  • Don’t drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar-these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
  • Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • NEVER leave anyone or pets in a closed, parked vehicle.

If you must be out in the heat

  • Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
  • Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage. Remember the warning in the first tip above, too.
  • Try to rest often in shady areas.
  • Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).

Prevent Wildfires- What can you do?

Experts at utahfireinfo.gov have a few suggestions to prevent potential unwanted fires from occurring:

Debris Burning

  • Check with your local officials to see if it is an "open burn season."
  • Inquire with your local fire chief or fire warden to see if a permit is required.
  • Have a shovel and water accessible and ready to go.
  • Be prepared to stay near your burn until it is out and cold.
  • Notify the city or county dispatch when you are ready to ignite.

Building Safe Campfires

  • Clear campfire site down to bare soil.
  • Circle pit with rocks.
  • Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, dry grass, and leaves.
  • Keep a bucket of water and a shovel nearby.
  • Never leave a campfire unattended.
  • When putting out a campfire, drown the fire, stir it, and drown it again.
  • Always have adult supervision.
  • Be careful with gas lanterns, barbeque grills, gas stoves, and anything that can be a source of ignition for a wildfire.

Fireworks Safety

Safety tips for the use of fireworks on PRIVATE LAND when authorized:

  • Always read directions.
  • Always have adult supervision.
  • Never use fireworks near dry grass or other flammable materials.
  • Have a bucket of water and a hose nearby.
  • Never attempt to re-light or "fix" fireworks.
  • Fireworks are not toys.
  • Use only Utah State Fire Marshal approved fireworks.

Image source: http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/summer/safety.aspx