This June marks the 30th anniversary of National Safety Month (NSM). Since 1996, the National Safety Council has offered free resources every June to help prevent injuries and save lives. At Operation Xcel, safety is of up-most importance. While school is out and before sunny fun days start, there are a few things to keep in mind.
With temperatures already nearing 90 degrees, heat stroke and exhaustion are very real concerns. Heatstroke occurs when the body reaches a temperature of 104 degrees or higher and requires immediate medical attention. Both are preventable! For more resources, visit the CDC Heat Stress page and Preventive Vet "How to Treat Your Pet's Heat Exhaustion or Heatstroke" page.
Stay hydrated, especially during any kind of exercise or physical activity. Water is always the best option but coconut water, diluted sports drinks, and electrolyte packets are good alternatives!
Acclimate yourself to the heat, it's safer to slowly add more time spent outdoors rather than all at once.
Avoid sunburns, your body has a harder time cooling down.
Use sunscreen and reapply as needed. Checking the UV rays on the days you'll be in the sun also helps.
Being mindful of the temperature in relation to the time of day and location is the ultimate precaution. Stay inside or in the shade during the hottest parts of the day, if possible.
What better way to cool down than to go swimming? There are tons of fun water based activities and swimming safety tips to keep in mind. For more resources on water safety, visit the CDC Healthy Swimming page and the Red Cross Swimming Safety page.
Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child.
Teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
Stay within an arm's reach of any weak or inexperienced swimmer.
If you have a pool, secure it with appropriate barriers to prevent unsupervised access to the water.
Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well and what to do in a water emergency.
Grilling and bonfires are summertime favorites, so let's be sure we stay safe with our flammables. For more resources on Fire Safety and Prevention, visit the NC Office of State Fire Marshal Fire Prevention & Education page.
Hot coals should always be disposed of in designated containers.
Plenty of water should be poured on coals to completely extinguish the flames and cool the coals.
After applying charcoal lighter fluid to coals, wait a minute before lighting the coals. This allows the concentration of explosive vapors to dissipate.
Use long-handled grilling tools to keep a safe distance between the flames and yourself.
Never store propane gas cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside.
Operation Xcel cares about the safety of every family in and outside of our organization. We are committed to making long lasting memories while remaining out of harm's way. Keeping safety at the forefront of our minds encourages a summer full of fun. We look forward to hearing from families about their summertime activities.
