Remember the days as a kid when summer meant an endless array of long play days, popsicles and pedaling around the neighborhood with your friends. As a grown up, often summer can lead to increased worries about vacations, pool safety and the dangers that lurk outdoors with exposure to the sun and heat.
Longer summer days and warmer weather tempt North Texans into more outdoor activities. With kids out of school and vacation travel, Texas highways are much busier. Chances for being involved in a car accident increase significantly. For these reasons, summertime is one of the biggest seasons for accident related injuries. Here are some of the most common injuries that occur during the summer.
Most Common Injuries That Occur During the Summer
Drowning Incidents
Most parents know that unintentional drowning is a real and very serious risk. More than 20 percent of drowning victims are children aged 14 and under according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Brad Parker says, “It’s important to always supervise kids near pools or other bodies of water. Designate at least one adult who knows how to swim and can watch kids without distraction.”
Teaching kids to swim is incredibly important. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends signing kids up when they’re ready, which can be as early as one year old. However even trained swimmers need a watchful adult nearby, especially if alcohol is being consumed.
Safety equipment such as life preservers should always be on hand. “It’s not enough just to make sure your kids wear a life jacket,” Brad says. “Parents should make sure it fits and is the kind that rolls them onto their backs and not their fronts. Don’t use old or hand-me-down life vests. There is no greater investment than in your child’s safety.”
Car Accidents
Vacation travel makes car accidents far more common in the summer. Those heading to their favorite destinations may find themselves dealing with summertime injuries as a result.
Brad says, “Each year over half of the people killed in traffic accidents between Memorial Day and Labor Day are teenagers. No school means more inexperienced drivers on the roadways. More traffic means more problems.”
As the temperature outside climbs, it can also impact the equipment on a vehicle, especially the tires. When tires are bit more worn out, hotter weather can cause the air inside of tires to expand, increasing the risk of tire blowouts and traffic accidents.
Grilling Injuries
A high percentage of U.S. households possess a grill. A backyard cookout can quickly turn serious if they are improperly used. By following the below tips, grilling enthusiasts can greatly minimize the chance of injury:
- Don’t ever place grill underneath a wooden overhang
- If you smell gas and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and get the grill serviced
- Never use a grill indoors, including a garage or carport
- Store grills and propane tanks outside and away from your house
- Set up your barbecue grill at least 10 feet away from your home
- Keep a water spray bottle nearby to deal with flare ups
- Clean your grill so grease and fat don’t build up won’t act as accelerants
- Keep a fire extinguisher on hand
- Never leave your grill unattended
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Accident?
If you’ve been injured you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Bedford, Texas office directly at 817.440.3888 to schedule your free, no obligation consultation. We help personal injury clients throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington as well as all areas of Texas.
