Summertime is when most people get to enjoy fun outdoor activities, like camping, concerts, and pool parties. Although you are probably looking forward to the summer so you can take advantage of the warm weather and spend more time with your friends and family, this time of year is also when hospital visits increase due to injuries caused by rising temperatures.
#1: Heat-Related Illness
Dehydration is one of the most common illnesses people experience during the summer months. Often, people simply don’t drink enough water while they are out and about on a hot day and end up feeling the effects of dehydration, such as excessive sweating and extreme fatigue. To avoid dehydration this summer, make sure you drink more water whenever you are doing something outdoors. It is especially a good idea to pack extra water bottles if you will be hiking or biking when the temperature reaches the highest of the day.
#2: Drowning / Swimming Injuries
There’s nothing better during the summer than going swimming to cool off from the hot weather. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns parents that young children are more likely to drown in a swimming pool than anywhere else. In fact, the CDC says that drowning is the second-most common cause of accidental death in the U.S. Diving accidents also account for a high number of spinal cord injuries each year.
#3: Sunburn
While you might not realize it, sunburn can be a serious injury. According to the American Medical Association’s journal Dermatology, there were 34,000 reported emergency room visits related to sunburn. If you will be spending the day in the sun, make sure you pack the sunscreen so you don’t have to take an unplanned trip to the hospital.
#4: Bicycle Injuries
Bike rides can be both fun and relaxing, as long as you don’t suffer a bike-related injury. Severe head injuries, wrist fractures, and broken legs are just some of the common bicycle injuries suffered by children and teenagers. The CDC reported that 26,000 bike accidents resulted in traumatic brain injury in 2013.
If you or a loved one suffer a serious personal injury this summer due to the negligence of others, you need to get in touch with our legal team at the Law Office of Robert J. Kaiser to request your case consultation. We have 20+ years of experience, and we are prepared to fight tenaciously to represent your best interests.