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Posts Tagged ‘outdoor safety’

Be Water Safe this Summer

Posted in Healthy People, tagged , , on May 23, 2023| Leave a Comment »

underwater photography of young friends swimming.

Summer is upon us: trips to the pool, or lake, vacations to the beach, or water sports adventures. Family time at the pool or on the water can create lasting memories. But did you know that no matter how well someone can swim, no one is ever “drown-proof”?  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4 and is the second leading cause of unintentional death in ages 5 to 14.

            Water competency is essential to improve water safety by avoiding dangers, developing water safety skills, and knowing how to prevent and respond to drowning emergencies. Water competency includes (1) being water smart, (2) swimming skills, and (3) helping others. All of us need to be water smart any time we are around water, even if we do not plan to go for a swim. This includes knowing your limitations, never swimming alone, wearing a life jacket, understanding unique water environments, and swimming sober. Learning to perform these five swimming skills in every type of water environment can help save a life:

  1. Enter water that is over your head and calmly return to the surface
  2. Float or tread water for at least one minute
  3. Turn over or turn around in the water
  4. Swim at least 25 yards
  5. Be able to exit the water

Help others: This means, paying close attention to children or weak swimmers, knowing the signs of drowning, learning to safely assist a drowning person, such as “reach or throw, don’t go,” and knowing CPR and first aid.

Movies and television make us believe that drowning is splashy and loud. Unfortunately, it’s the opposite; someone could be drowning a few feet away, and you would not know it; drowning is often silent. It’s important to learn the seven warning signs that someone is drowning.

Consider these ideas to be safe around water this summer:

  • Designate an adult to be a water watcher – eliminate distractions such as long conversations, cell phone usage, or reading.
  • Create family swim rules and utilize swim buddies of similar age and skill.
  • Utilize U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets.
Children learning to swim with instructor

Learning to swim is one of the best ways to help your family and make everyone safer around the water. Summer is a great time to find swim lessons in your community; check out your local Red Cross, YMCA, parks and recreation centers, swim clubs, and swim teams for affordable swim lessons in your area.

References:

American Red Cross. (n.d.-d). Water safety. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety.html

Drowning facts. (2022, March 10). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/facts/index.html

Talks, R. C. (n.d.). What does drowning sound and look like? https://www.redcross.ca/blog/2019/6/what-does-drowning-sound-and-look-like

U.S. Coast Guard. (n.d.). Life jacket wear/Wearing your life jacket. Boat Responsibly. https://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php

Photo Credit:

Children swimming underwater: Adobe Stock (418941209)

Children learning to swim with instructor: Adobe Stock (28261075)

Written by: Laura Halladay, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Greene County.

Reviewed by: Laura Stanton Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Warren County.

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Getting Outside and Staying Safe

Posted in Healthy People, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 25, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Today is often considered the “unofficial” start to summer. That means longer days and warmer weather for getting outside. However, this summer brings a new and unsettling guest: COVID-19. To help you stay safe while you are outdoors, the Ohio Department of Health and the National Recreation and Park Association have made the following recommendations:

  • Follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on personal hygiene. Wash hands, carry hand sanitizer, and stay home if you have any symptoms.
  • Follow recommendations for face masks and physical distancing.
  • Only go outdoors with those who live under the same roof.
  • Visit places that are close to your home. Refrain from travel that requires you to stop along the way or be in close contact with others.
  • If a parking lot is full or blocked, move on. Do not park in grass or on roadways.
  • Warn others of your presence and step off trails to allow others to pass safely.
  • Expect public restrooms to be closed.
  • Bring water or drinks. Drinking fountains should not be used.
  • Bring a bag for trash and leave no trace.
COVID-19: Physical Distancing in Public Parks and Trails

Plan Your Trip Before Heading Out

Currently, most outdoor spaces in Ohio state parks, wildlife areas, forests, natural areas, and preserves are open. This includes trails, dog parks, docks, fishing piers, and boat ramps.

At this time, state lodges, visitor centers, playgrounds, and rest rooms remain closed. Visit Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for the most up to date information about what state facilities are open and closed.

If you plan to go somewhere other than an ODNR facility, do some research before leaving. Most places have a website or a Facebook page with updated visitor information.

Expect places to be crowded. If you step off a trail, avoid poison ivy or tall grass that might have ticks. Practice sun safety to protect your skin and your eyes.

Find New Places to Explore

If you need help finding new places to explore, try these tips:

  • Start local. Ask neighbors and friends to recommend their favorite places to explore. A quick internet search can help you find local destinations, depending on what you want to do. Try a search such as “places to hike near me” and you will quickly find destinations, reviews, and images.
  • Visit Ohio Trails Partnership. Click the “Find a Trail” tab to find destinations based on geographical regions.
  • Diversify your destinations. In addition to state wildlife areas, forests, and nature preserves operated by ODNR, there are also private nature centers and preserves. For recommendations, try a search such as “nature areas near me.”

Get Outside and Experience the Great Outdoors

Remember to be safe and do some homework before leaving home. Be sure to check the CDC, ODH, and ODNR websites since COVID-19 updates happen frequently. Then, get outside, breath in some fresh air, and reap the physical, mental, and psychological benefits of being outdoors. Enjoy!

Sources:

Cloth Face Coverings (Masks) COVID-19 Checklist. Ohio Department of Health. Retrieved from https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/checklists/english-checklists/cloth-face-coverings-covid-19-checklist

Dolesh, R.J. and Colman, A. (2020, March 16). Keeping a Safe Physical Distance in Parks and on Trails During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Retrieved from https://www.nrpa.org/blog/keeping-a-safe-social-distance-in-parks-and-on-trails-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

Ducharme, J. (2019, February 28). Spending Just 20 Minutes in a Park Makes You Happier. Here’s What Else Being Outside Can Do for Your Health. Retrieved from https://time.com/5539942/green-space-health-wellness

Social Distancing. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html

Symptoms of Coronavirus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

WRITTEN BY: Laura Stanton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Warren County.

REVIEWED BY: Dan Remley, Field Specialist, Food Nutrition and Wellness, Ohio State University Extension.

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