As soon as spring and summer arrive, people of all walks of life start spending a lot of time outside. However, summer is also characterized by a lot of visits to the emergency room. In 2016, 27% of US patients reported visiting urgent care within the last two years.
The most common injuries are often orthopedic injuries from biking accidents, ladder mishaps, swimming injuries, and lawnmower accidents. Here you can find common injuries and tips on how best to prevent them.
Biking accidents
Summertime biking rides often lead to severe injuries that require immediate clinic visits. Injuries include arm and wrist fractures and sometimes serious head injuries. The best way to prevent head trauma and other injuries is to wear a properly fitted helmet and protective cycling gear. You should also check out your bicycle before heading out to make sure everything is working well.
Swimming Injuries
Summer is also a perfect time for taking a dip in the swimming pool. It is hot, and swimming offers the perfect way to cool off. However, swimming can be quite dangerous if proper swimming pool rules are not followed.
Swimming-related injuries include head and neck injuries from diving in shallow water or even broken bones. The best way to prevent such accidents is to always have someone watch and supervise younger children. Children must never swim unmonitored. They must also wear protective swimming gear like life jackets when swimming in deep waters.
Sunburn
Due to the increased amount of time spent by people outdoors in summer, there is always the risk of being sunburnt. The best way to prevent sunburn is to apply sunscreen whenever you are heading out. Where possible, you can also wear a long-sleeved top and a floppy hat.
Sport-related injuries
Summertime is known for a lot of sporting activities like soccer, volleyball, and baseball. It’s quite easy to get injuries like severe sprains, torn cartilage, and muscle cramps that may require immediate clinic visits for treatment when playing soccer.
Before participating in soccer matches, you should ensure that you stretch properly, have warm-ups before a game, and stay hydrated. You must also make sure that the playground is clear and that there are no objects that can hurt you when the match starts.
Summer is the season for a lot of outdoor activity. There are more visits to the playground, and if you are not careful, you will also have a lot of immediate clinic visits. Parents should always keep an eye on children when playing outside, and they must be ready to jump in and help in the case of an injury.