June 2011 CHC of New England

Always supervise young children around water. Prevent water-related injuries and drowning by swimming with a buddy and swimming where there's a lifeguard. And always use life jackets and secure personal flotation devices—do not substitute air-filled or foam toys for safety gear.

The following tips can help people with epilepsy stay safe during recreational activities:

• Wearing a life vest is a good idea when you are on or close to water.
• Swimming can be safe and fun for everyone, but if you have seizures, avoid swimming alone.
• Tell lifeguards and friends you swim with what kind of seizures you have, how to recognize them and what to do if you have one. Make sure they swim well enough to help if you need it.

Pollens and air pollutants can be triggers for allergic reactions and asthma. Some reactions include nasal and sinus allergies and hives. Asthma can cause symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing. Stay healthy by properly taking any prescription or over-the-counter allergy medicine and having and following an asthma action plan.

Air pollution poses a serious threat to our nation's health.　 At the American Lung Association, we work to ensure that the air you breathe is clean and safe.　 Learn more about how polluted air can make you sick and how we are fighting to keep our air and nation healthy. Click here to read more… http://www.lungusa.org/healthy-air/

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1. mosquitoes and ticks and minimize skin contact with poisonous plants. Hats and sunglasses protect your skin and eyes from the sun's UV radiation.
2. Know your plants. Poison oak, ivy and sumac are found throughout the United States. The sap oil from these plants can cause painful allergic reactions. Learn to identify local varieties of poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac so that you can avoid them as you work outside. Wear long sleeves, long pants, boots and gloves to shield your skin from contact.
3. Drink enough of the right things. When it's hot, you have to be careful to drink enough. Hard work and high temperatures lead to quick dehydration. Drink before you get thirsty. If you are thirsty, you are already beginning to dehydrate. Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol and large amounts of sugar. Water is still the best thirst quencher, but if you are sweating a lot then drink a sports beverage to help replenish your electrolytes and prevent heat cramps.
4. Slather yourself in sunscreen. Wear sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15. SPF refers to the amount of time you will be protected from a burn. An SPF of 15 will allow a person to stay out in the sun 15 times longer than they normally would be able to stay without burning. Sunscreen performance is affected by wind, humidity, perspiration and proper application. It should be reapplied at least every two hours. Some sunscreens lose their efficiency when used with insect repellent. Also, their potency diminishes over time, so throw away bottles of sunscreen that are more than 2 years old.
5. Respect the creepy crawlies. Tall grass, leaf litter, rocks, wood piles and bushes are favorite hiding places for spiders, ticks and snakes. Where possible and practical, stay clear of these areas. Wear gloves when handling brush or debris. Wear boots, pants and long sleeves when working in tall grass or underbrush. Cut grass and remove dried leaves from around the worksite to reduce tick populations. Be cautious near piles of undisturbed materials where snakes or spiders may be. Store unused apparel and equipment in tightly closed plastic bags. An additional spider caution: they are often found living in outdoor toilets where flies are abundant.
6. Watch out for your co-workers. Monitor your own physical condition, but also keep an eye on your co-workers. Learn the symptoms of heat-related illness, and watch for them in yourself and others. Be aware that protective clothing or personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress. Also, brush up on your first aid so you can help a co-worker who may need immediate help if suffering from heat stroke. You and your co-workers can also help each other by inspecting for hard-to-spot creatures. Ticks in particular can be difficult to see, especially on your own body. Help each other inspect skin, hair and clothes for unwanted passengers.

Since the tragedy of September 11th, many　Americans have been involved in practicing　evacuation drills as corporations, government agencies and other buildings update current emergency procedures. Easter Seals encourages people with all abilities to consider these s.a.f.e.t.y first tips when preparing for an evacuation:

Start preparing an evacuation plan now. If you have a disability, identify yourself to building managers and help devise an effective emergency procedure. People of all abilities must be equally prepared for an emergency evacuation. It is critical that everyone works together.

Ask family, friends and co-workers with disabilities — including those with vision, hearing and mobility issues — about their personal evacuation concerns and needs. Keep in mind that the needs of pregnant women, older adults and people with injuries or illnesses are often similar to specific needs of people with disabilities.

Find "buddies." These can be co-workers or friends with whom you plan and practice. Buddies find you in an emergency and can provide planned assistance in the event of an emergency or evacuation.

Evaluate the area. Pre-determine and practice your evacuation route with your buddies, who also know how to operate any special equipment needed to evacuate someone safely.

Test smoke detectors, public announcement systems, fire extinguishers, flashlights, etc. to assure proper function when needed. Make sure alternate alert systems are available for individuals with special needs, especially for people with vision and hearing disabilities.

You can help Easter Seals by making this important issue top-of-mind in your community — talking to business leaders, building management, government officials, police and fire departments.

Across the country, safety and evacuation procedures are more important than ever, especially for 54 million Americans living with disabilities. Most existing evacuation procedures do not really address the specific needs of people with disabilities

With more than 85 years of experience helping people with disabilities gain greater independence and 50 years as a leader in creating architecturally accessible environments, Easter Seals is uniquely positioned to address the safety concerns of Americans with disabilities and bring about positive change in our communities.

To learn more, please visit www.easterseals.org.