Summer Safety Tips

Summer in Sonoma county is a beautiful time of year. Tourists come from around the world to vacation in our backyard, and it would be a crime not to get outside and join them! Our long, warm summer days are fun, but they also expand the opportunity for injury.

Traditionally, June, July, and August are the most injury-prone months of the year. Why? During summer months, people tend to let safety "take a hike". Sunscreen and bike helmets hang out at camp. Life jackets lounge on the dock. Potato salads sit and sun bathe. On the home front, even activities like mowing the lawn, hosting backyard barbecues, and throwing pool parties can result in increased accidents.

June is National Safety Month and the National Safety Council reminds us how to avoid common summertime slip-ups:

• Heads up for bike safety - Wear a helmet!
• Make waves for water safety - Be alert. Don’t swim alone. Watch children closely. Wear life vests.
• Fend-off foodborne illnesses - Never leave food out for more than one hour in 90°F or higher temps. Keep raw foods away from cooked foods. Refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible. Always wash your hands before preparing or eating food.
• Be sun savvy - Take protective measures to avoid sunburns, heat stroke, and eye damage. Use sunscreen. Limit sun exposure between 10 AM to 4 PM. Wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB radiation protection. Drink plenty of water.

This summer and every season, please keep yourself and your loved ones healthy and happy by packing safety into every activity and enjoy the wonderful summertime weather and activities that Sonoma County offers.