Well Protected
Don’t let the dog days of summer leave you with your guard down. Shelter yourself against some of the common threats of the season.

Water Safety

• Whether your teen is aspiring for the 2012 Olympic diving team or your toddler needs water wings to stay afloat, always err on the side of extreme caution and practice water safety. That means never leaving a child unattended in a pool, never swimming out of a lifeguard’s sightlines in the ocean, and always being aware of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards (deep and shallow areas, currents, depth changes, obstructions, etc.).
  


• Whether in a pool or in an ocean, lake, or river, the American Red Cross recommends watching out for the dangerous “too’s”—too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity, too many distractions, etc. If there is too much of anything, it’s a better idea to stay out of the water.

Bites & Stings

• Pesky mosquitoes can do more than cause a little itching; they can spread viruses like West Nile. You can try to stave off bites with citronella candles and the latest crop of wristband-style and clip-on repellants. But to really protect yourself, there is no substitute for bug spray. The Centers for Disease Control recommends the use of products containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (or its synthetic alternative, PMD).
  


• Little ticks strike big fear into the hearts of backyard enthusiasts, since they can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease. If you’ve been outdoors, check yourself and your children for ticks. You’re looking for a small, round, black or brown bump. Be sure to examine nooks and crannies (like armpits, behind your ears, and under your breasts), since ticks like dark areas. If you find a tick, remove it right away with clean tweezers. Start by grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible. Gently pull the tick away from you until it releases its hold. Pulling too hard or quickly can tear the tick in half, leaving the mouth still in your skin. If this happens, you can try removing the embedded remains with a sterile needle (like you would a splinter), but it’s probably best to get help from your doctor. Be careful not to twist or squeeze the tick, which could force disease-infected fluids from the tick into the bite. Once the tick is out, wash the bite with soap and water and apply an antiseptic cream or rubbing alcohol. It’s a good idea to save the tick in a resealable plastic bag or small glass jar, in case your doctor needs to determine what kind of tick bit you or you need to be tested for Lyme disease.
  


• Bees and their brethren (wasps, yellow jackets, etc.) are always a nuisance because no one wants to get stung, but for a certain population of people, these stings can send them into anaphylaxis—a potentially fatal allergic reaction marked by wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightening in the chest. Although doctors don’t know exactly how many people die every year as a result of allergic reactions to bee stings, they do know that 50 percent of those who die never had even a small reaction to previous bee stings. In other words, always be on alert. If you or someone around you has been stung and you notice any signs of distress, call 911 immediately.

Sunburn

• You know that sun exposure is linked to skin cancer, but do you know that sun damage accumulates over time, and just a single sunburn can carry consequences years down the road? It’s best to stay out of the sun as much as possible (especially during peak hours late in the morning and early in the afternoon), but if you’re going to be outside, be prepared. That means wearing protective barriers like hats, sunglasses, and cover-ups, and it also means slathering on the sunscreen. Buy a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays, make sure it offers SPF protection of 30 or more, and apply liberally and often.

Heat

• Temperatures can climb to triple digits this time of year, and lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is marked by a body temperature as high as 105 degrees, plus profuse sweating, muscle cramps, mental confusion, and even nausea and vomiting. If you think you may be suffering from heat exhaustion, go indoors and cool down by immersing yourself in a cool shower or bath. Heat stroke is even more severe and occurs when body temperature exceeds 105 degrees. Perspiration actually stops because your body is trying to conserve fluids, and instead your core temperature rises. Heart rate and respiration quicken, and the body turns red. If you think someone is experiencing heat stroke, call 911 immediately. Young children and the elderly are particularly at risk for these conditions, because they are the least able to properly regulate body temperature. You’re also at increased risk if you’re engaging in manual labor or other strenuous activity.
  


• Never leave a person or pet unattended in a car. When left in a hot vehicle, a young child’s core body temperature may increase three to five times faster than that of an adult. On a 95-degree day, a vehicle can reach temperatures in excess of 140 degrees in 35 minutes—and it can take less than 15 minutes for a child to suffer from heat stroke and die.
  


• Heat can zap fluids from your body and can lead to dehydration, so remember to drink cool, non-alcoholic beverages while you’re in elevated temperatures. By the time you notice you’re thirsty, you may already be on your way to dehydration. A better way to gauge if you’re properly hydrated is to check the color of your urine; if it’s dark, you haven’t taken in enough fluids.

In an Emergency
Overlook Hospital operates two Emergency Departments: its main E.D. at the site of Overlook Hospital, and a satellite E.D. at its Union campus. Both are fully staffed 24/7 and are outfitted to manage emergency care, with radiology and laboratory services. Patients treated at the Union facility who require hospitalization or other specific services will be transferred to Overlook by onsite, fully equipped medical transportation.

Overlook Hospital
Emergency Department
99 Beauvoir Ave., Summit
(908) 522-2232

Overlook Hospital Emergency Services, Union Campus
1000 Galloping Hill Rd., Union
(908) 522-6300