Tips for Safer Swimming

Whether at a poolside barbecue, a rope swing at the lake or splashing around in the ocean, one of the best ways to beat the heat in the summer is going for a nice swim with friends or family. But exercise caution, as this fun activity can turn into an emergency in a split second. A 2012 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that drowning was the number one cause of injury-related deaths worldwide, and the highest rates of drowning were among children.

According to the American Red Cross Association, the following swimming safety measures can help you avoid danger at the pool, ocean, or lake:

·         Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.

·         Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.

·         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.

·         Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.

·         Maintain constant supervision of children in or near the water.

·         Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. Enroll in professional, age-appropriate courses, such as Red Cross water orientation and learn-to-swim courses.

·         If you have a pool, secure it with appropriate barriers. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time.

·         Avoid distractions when supervising children around water.

·         If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.

·         Keep appropriate safety equipment nearby, such as reaching or throwing equipment (life preservers), a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.

·         Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

·         In addition to knowing how to swim, it’s also important to learn how to help in the case of an emergency.  Enroll in professional courses, such as the Red Cross’s home pool safety, water safety, or first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies.

·         Protect your skin in and out of the water. Wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 30, and be sure to reapply once you have toweled off after a swim.

·         It’s important to stay properly hydrated while swimming.  Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.

This summer, be sure to heed these swimming safety tips before jumping into the pool or ocean –it could save the life of you or someone you love.

If you’re a Health Advocate member, remember that your Personal Health Advocate is a great resource for many of your health- and insurance-related needs.  If you need to find a new, in-network doctor, investigate a denial of coverage, or find credible health or safety information, give us a call—we’re happy to help!

Be Kind to Your Eyes: Ways to Shield Them from the Sun

Most people already understand the need to protect one’s skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays, but did you know that our eyes also need protection as well? According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, spending long hours in the sun without eye protection can contribute to cataracts, skin cancer around the eyes, and macular degeneration. This can especially happen during the summer months when the level of ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) is three times higher.

These tips can help you protect your eyes and minimize sun damage while still enjoying fun outdoor activities during the summer:

·         Choose proper sunglasses. Wear labeled UV protective sunglasses that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays. Larger sunglasses and wrap-around sunglasses offer the most protection. (Also, remember that sunglasses aren’t just for adults—kids need sunglasses, too!)

·         Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Even though a hat doesn’t always protect you from the glare and light reflections from other surfaces, it will still reduce the total amount of sun radiation that can damage your skin and eyes. For maximum protection, also wear sunglasses..

·         Wear UV-protective contact lenses. Many people don’t realize that some contact lenses do not offer UV protection. But you can ask your eye care professional to prescribe Class 1 UV-blocking lenses that have a UV protection layer already built in and block out more than 90% of UVA and 99% of UVB rays.

·         Watch the clock. Remember that UV exposure to the eyes is the highest in the morning and mid-afternoon, so plan your schedule and your attire accordingly.

·         Be prepared for impromptu trips outdoors.  Keep a bag containing sunglasses, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat in the trunk of your car to use when you get the sudden urge to go the beach, park, or partake in any other outdoor activity.

·         Remember that UV protection isn’t just for summer--or sunny—days and activities. Protect your eyes all year round. Even on cloudy days or winter days, your eyes are still susceptible to damage from UV rays, so always keep sunglasses handy.  Plus, for those who enjoy winter sports such as skiing, keep in mind that the reflection from the snow, especially in high altitudes, has increased UV radiation.

Another way to be kind to your eyes is by getting yearly eye exams. If you are a Health Advocate member, our Personal Health Advocates can help you find in-network, qualified eye professionals who can give your eyes a check-up, check for signs of disease, see if your current glasses or contact lens prescription is correct, or determine if you need to begin wearing glasses or contact lenses. Additionally, our team can help you with a wide variety of health-related issues, such as scheduling second opinions, locating eldercare services, untangling medical bills, answering insurance benefit questions, and more.

Fireworks safety tips to help you stay safer this summer

June and the earliest part of July--surrounding the July 4th holiday--is considered Fireworks Safety Month.  This is because most fireworks-related injuries tend to occur during this period. 

Did you know...?

• Fireworks devices were involved in about 8,600 injuries treated in US hospital emergency rooms in 2010 (the most recent year for which data is available).
• 6,300 of those injuries were treated in the month (June 18-July 18) surrounding July 4th.
• Eyes were the third most commonly injured part of the body, accounting for 1,300 injuries in that month-long timespan.
• Data from the US Eye Registry shows that bystanders are more likely to be injured by fireworks than the fireworks operators themselves.
• Just because federal regulations allow you to use certain fireworks doesn't mean they're safe. "Safe and sane" fireworks cause more injuries than illegal fireworks.  Case in point: sparklers.  In 2010, sparklers accounted for 1,200 injuries--and preschoolers were the victims of over half of those sparkler-related injuries.

Prevent Blindness America recommends that nonprofessionals refrain from using fireworks, noting that the safest way for you and your family to enjoy fireworks is by enjoying a professional fireworks display.  They also offer the following suggestions to make your summer, and your 4th of July, safer:

• The best defense against kids suffering firework-related eye injuries and burns is to not allow them to play with fireworks.
• It's also a good idea to not store or use even the fireworks that are legal around children.
• If an accident with fireworks should occur, go straight to the emergency room.  Do not rub or rinse out the eye, and do not apply pressure directly to the eye.  Do not apply ointment or stop on the way to the ER to pick up painkillers.  Cover the eye with a rigid shield (like the bottom of a paper cup) to protect it as you are going to seek professional treatment.
• Attend only authorized public fireworks displays run by licensed operators, but also be aware that even these can pose a safety risk.

For more information, call Prevent Blindness America at 800.331.2020 to receive your guide on Safe Summer Celebrations, which discusses the dangers of fireworks and offers safer alternatives.

Remember, it’s a good idea to establish a rapport with an eye doctor so that if you or your child ever sustain an eye injury, you have someone on hand to call for help. (Plus, having a rapport with an eye doctor can also help you stay on track with your and your family’s eye exams!) If you don’t currently have an eye doctor lined up, reach out to an advocacy service like Health Advocate. They can help you find an in-network eye doctor whose location and hours are convenient to you.

Tips to beat the summer heat

Does this sweltering summer heat have you secretly hoping for a freak snowstorm to roll through? It'll be a while before this heat goes away, so in the meantime, you've gotta find ways to keep cool and stay safe in the heat. Read on to discover some smart ways to beat the heat.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

  Make H20 your BFF. Especially if you're outside, make sure to always have a bottle of water with you. Cool drinks can help you keep your temperature regulated by cooling your body down. It's best to avoid alcohol, though, as it can interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature--plus it can further dehydrate you.

Stay cool outside.

  If you absolutely must be outside in the extreme heat (for example, if you work outside), take water breaks often, and when possible, hang out in shady spots--for instance, under trees and awnings. If you are running errands, don't stay inside, or lock your pets or children inside, parked cars that are turned off. On a day where the temperature is just 78 degrees outside (a much cooler temperature than most of us have been dealing with lately), cars parked in the sun can reach 160 degrees inside! Also, take advantage of public pools or call up a friend who has a pool.

Wear sunscreen.

  Sunburn can prevent the body from cooling off properly. Avoid getting sunburned by using sunscreen on any exposed areas of skin while you're outside.

Dress light.

  Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing. It's also helpful to wear lighter colors, especially if you're outside--dark-colored clothing absorbs more sunlight-generated heat than light-colored clothing items do.

Keep cool indoors.

  Stay indoors if you can, especially during peak heat hours of 10 AM - 4 PM. If your house has air conditioning, don't be shy about using it! If you don't have AC, you could visit a friend or family member who does have it, or head to the air-conditioned mall or public library. Also, many communities have cooling stations that are air-conditioned and have water and other comforts that are available to those suffering from the effects of heat. Do you know where any local cooling stations might be? (To locate a cooling station near you, call your local municipal office or the non-emergency number for your local hospital or police station. Some organizations like the Salvation Army host cooling stations, too.) But if you want to stay home and you don’t have air conditioning, using a fan is the next best option. Also make sure to ward away heat as best you can--use mini-blinds and/or curtains so sunlight can't come through the window and heat up rooms.