Summer fun can stay safe if some important safety rules are followed and some precautions are taken. I have put together some tips for you to use this summer to ensure that you have a fun and safe summer season with your family.Summer is a great time to live on Long Island. From Jones Beach to the lighthouse in Montauk, we have some of the greatest beaches and recreational areas in the state and I urge you to take advantage of all Long Island has to offer. But as you do, please be safe, be smart and be prepared. I hope you will read the tips provided below and visit the web sites provided. I wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable summer. Sincerely yours, Senator John FlanaganIMPORTANT TIPS AND LINKS:AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS - Pool Safety for Children -Never leave children alone in or near the pool. -Put up a fence, at least 4 feet high around all sides, to separate your house from the pool. Also, use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your child's reach. -Use a power safety cover that meets the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials, but not in place of the fence. -Keep rescue equipment and a telephone by the pool. -Do not let your child use air-filled "swimming aids" because they are not a substitute for approved life vests. -Have anyone watching children around a pool learn CPR; and stay within an arm's length of your child. -Remove all toys from the pool after use so children are not tempted to reach for them. -Secure pool when children are done swimming so they cannot get back in. AMERICAN RED CROSS - Water Safety TipsHome Pools-Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim--this includes adults and children. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a course to learn or improve your ability to swim, contact your local Red Cross chapter. -Never leave a child unobserved around water. Your eyes must be on the child at all times. Adult supervision is recommended. -Install a phone by the pool or keep a cordless phone nearby so that you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency. -Learn Red Cross CPR and insist that babysitters, grandparents, and others who care for your child know CPR. -Post CPR instructions and 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area. -Enclose the pool completely with a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars. Openings in the fence should be no more than four inches wide. The house should not be included as a part of the barrier.The gate should be constructed so that it is self-latching and self-closing.Never leave furniture near the fence that would enable a child to climb over the fence. -Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it. Pole, rope, and personal flotation devices (PFDs) are recommended. -Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool. -Pool covers should always be completely removed prior to pool use. -If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area General Water Safety Tips -Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact your local Red Cross chapter.-Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard. -Read and obey all rules and posted signs. -Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water. -Watch out for the dangerous "too’s" – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity. -Get water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep). -Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth charges, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located. The more informed you are, the more aware you will be of hazards and safe practices. -Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather. -Use a feet-first entry when entering the water. -Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions. -Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm. -Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.
BOATER SAFETY INFORMATION(CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW)UNITED STATES COAST GUARD - FLOTILLABased in Stony BrookUNITED STATES COAST GUARDUNITED STATES COAST GUARD BOATING INFORMATIONSUFFOLK COUNTY MARINE BUREAUSUFFOLK COUNTY MARINE BUREAU SAFETY TIPSUNITED STATES POWER SQUADRON - Organized in 1914, USPS is a non profit, educational organization dedicated to making boating safer and more enjoyable by teaching classes in seamanship, navigation and related subjects.TO FIND YOUR THE POWER SQUADRON CLOSEST TO YOUUNITED STATES POWER SQUADRON BOATING SAFETY TESTBOATERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVINGPLEASE CLICK HERE TO ORDER A NEW YORK STATE BOATER'S GUIDE
STAYING SAFE DURING HOT SUMMER DAYSThis information can be used to protect you, your family and your neighbors.Health officials are advising New Yorkers to be on the lookout for symptoms of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn and heat rash. Anyone is susceptible to heat-stress, but those who are at greatest risk include: -Infants and children up to four years of age are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.-People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature.-People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.-People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.-People who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat. -Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.Stages of Heat-Related Illness (from the web site of the American Red Cross)Heat-related illness usually comes in stages. The signal of the first stage is heat cramps in muscles. These cramps can be very painful. If you are caring for a person who has heat cramps, have him or her stop activity and rest. If the person is fully awake and alert, have him or her drink small amounts of cool water or a commercial sports drink. Gently stretch the cramped muscle and hold the stretch for about 20 seconds, then gently massage the muscle. Repeat these steps if necessary. If the victim has no other signals of heat-related illness, the person may resume activity after the cramps stop. The signals of the next, more serious stage of a heat-related illness (often called heat exhaustion) include---Cool, moist, pale skin (the skin may be red right after physical activity). -Headache. -Dizziness and weakness or exhaustion. -Nausea. -The skin may or may not feel hot.The signals of the late stage of a heat-related illness (often called heat stroke) include-- -Vomiting. -Decreased alertness level or complete loss of consciousness. -High body temperature (sometimes as high as 105oF). -Skin may still be moist or the victim may stop sweating and the skin may be red, hot and dry. -Rapid, weak pulse. -Rapid, shallow breathing. This late stage of a heat-related illness is life threatening. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. Here are some tips to protect yourself and those you care about:Drinking Plenty of Fluids -- Increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. Avoid alcohol and sugar-saturated drinks. Replacing Salt and Minerals -- Constant sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. If you're outdoors or exercising replace your fluids w/ two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. However, if you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.Wear Appropriate Clothing and Sunscreen -- Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. In addition to pain and skin damage, sunburn disrupts your body's ability to cool itself and causes a loss of body fluids. If you're outdoors, wear a brimmed hat, sunglasses, and put on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. Reapply it according to the package directions.Schedule Outdoor Activities Carefully -- If you're outdoors, pace yourself. Try limiting your activity to morning and evening hours. Look for shaded areas to keep cool. Stop activity when your heart pounds, you begin gasping, or feel faint or nauseous.Stay Cool Indoors -- Stay indoors in an air-conditioned area whenever possible. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a public area that does (shopping mall, public library) A few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area. While electric fans may provide comfort, when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. A cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a better bet. Limit the stove and oven use to keep a cooler temperature in your home.Use a Buddy System -- When you're out in the heat, watch the condition of your companions and have someone do the same for you. If you're 65 years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on you twice a day during a heat wave. If you know someone in this age group, check on them at least twice a day.Don't leave the vulnerable in cars! -- Even in cool temperatures, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. Even with the windows cracked, interior temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes. Unattended children and pets are at risk for serious heat-related illnesses or even death.Remember, even young and healthy individuals can succumb to heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather. Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death.DUE TO THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN ELECTRICITY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, PLEASE USE THE TIPS BELOW TO STAY COOL AND CONSERVE ENERGY: -Close blinds or shades on sunny windows, but open windows to take advantage of natural ventilation when conditions permit – especially during cool morning or evening hours. -Set the air-conditioning thermostat just a few degrees higher. Each degree above 75° F saves you 3 percent of the energy used to cool your home. -Turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas. -Run household appliances such as dishwasher and dryers at "off-peak" (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters. -Keep doors closed when it is hotter outside than inside. Open them up again in the evening or morning when it is cooler outside. -Turn it off – Save electricity and reduce waste heat by shutting off lights and home electronics, especially computers, while not in use. Televisions, cable television boxes, computers, cell phone chargers and other electronics give off far more waste heat than you might imagine.
What You Should Know About: Sun Protection, Lyme Disease and the West Nile VirusWith warmer weather now here, everyone wants to be outdoors. So once again, it’s time for a short health reminder regarding sunscreen, deer ticks and Lyme disease, the best methods for eliminating mosquitoes near your home, as well as how to protect you and your family from the West Nile Virus ("WNV"). With a few simple precautions and a watchful eye, you and your family can feel free to hike, fish, camp or just enjoy a backyard barbecue. I hope you find this article useful, and if you have any questions or concerns on any of this information, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. Have a safe, fun and bug-free summer!Sun ProtectionWhether working in the garden, mowing the lawn or swimming at the beach, it’s easy to forget the dangers of prolonged exposure to the sun. Most people wear sunscreen when participating in outdoor activities in the summer, however, experts recommend using sunscreen on a daily basis. Sunscreens containing a skin protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher are suggested to protect against harmful burns, which can contribute to skin cancer. Make sure to apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before being exposed to the sun, as this maximizes the effectiveness of the sunscreen. Always drink plenty of liquids, whether working or playing, and it’s never a bad idea to wear a hat to keep the sun off your face.The summer is a great time to enjoy the rays. But remember, there can be too much of a good thing.Lyme Disease: Protect Yourself OutdoorsLast year, there were over 5,500 cases of Lyme disease reported in New York State, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With the proper information, we can reduce these numbers and ensure that those who do contract the disease find and receive treatment as soon as possible.Lyme disease is an infection resulting from the bite of a certain species of tick, primarily the deer tick. The deer tick is black and very small, about the size of a sesame seed. These ticks are found throughout New York State, inhabiting woods, brush and fields. Humans contract Lyme disease when the infection goes undetected and develops into much more serious health problems. So, early detection is very important!The presence of Lyme disease is usually noticed well after the bite. Within a few days, or even weeks, a distinctive red "bull’s eye" rash appearsthat is at least two inches in diameter. A variety of flu-like symptoms may then ensue, including headaches, fatigue, pain in the knees and joints, fever and chills. The symptoms will subside without medication, but the disease remains active and can potentially worsen into meningitis, encephalitis, facial palsy, heart problems, and later, arthritis. The longer the time between infection and treatment, the more difficult the disease is to remedy.Generally, ticks do not fly or jump onto their victims but prefer to wait on vegetation and cling to humans or animals as they brush past. While there is no fool-proof method of avoiding ticks when in an infested area, there are several steps you and your family can take to reduce your risks. These include:1. Staying to the center of trails and paths and not brushing against vegetation if you can help it.2. Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Also, tucking the legs of your pants into socks or boots. All this helps prevent ticks from reaching your skin.3. Wearing light colored or tightly woven clothing so it’s easier to see ticks.4. Using an insect repellent, but sparingly and with caution, especially regarding repellents containing DEET. Follow all label instructions carefully.5. Checking yourself, your children and your pets frequently, as the tick’s bite isn’t painful and the tick in most cases drops off before anyone notices its presence.6. People are at low risk of tick bite from November to March; moderate risk during April and October; and at high risk from May through September.Mosquito-Borne Diseases: West Nile VirusRecently, New York faced a public health situation when several cases of the West Nile Virus (WNV) were reported in our area. Now, as a community, we must face the possibility that WNV will likely return throughout the state this year and prepare accordingly.The primary transmitter of WNV is the Culex pipiens mosquito, which acquires the virus when it bites an infected bird. If the same mosquito bites a human, the virus can pass to that person. The danger surrounding the Culex is that a mosquito born in late summer can hibernate through the winter and emerge the next spring to begin the cycle anew.Although the chances of an individual contracting WNV are extremely slim, there are some measures that you and your family can take to protect yourselves both outdoors and indoors. For instance, several methods of reducing mosquito breeding near your house include:1. Draining standing water from and removing any sort of outside containers where Culex may breed, such as tires, flowerpots, birdbaths, wheelbarrows, garbage cans or carts.2. Cleaning rain gutters and removing old leaves to avoid standing water.3. Clipping tall grasses and weeds near the house or wherever people use the yard, as Culex like to hide in tall grass or brush near inhabited areas.There are other methods to avoid being bitten by Culex mosquitoes, such as: Wearing long pants and long-sleeve shirts when outdoors at dusk and dawn, the time when Culex is most active.1. Using window and door screens, and making sure the screens are in good repair so mosquitoes can’t slip into the house through holes or tears.2. Using insect repellents, especially products containing the pesticide DEET. As with all pesticides, follow instructions carefully and avoid as much as possible prolonged or daily use.You are not alone in your preparations against the possibility of a WNV reoccurrence. Recently, the NYS Health Department formulated the New York State West Nile Virus Response Plan to respond, manage and minimize any threat related to WNV. The strategy focuses on the use of larvacides to eradicate overwintering Culex before they are grown and capable of transmitting the disease. If adult mosquitoes are found carrying WNV, then an aerial pesticide spraying program will be instituted. If you are worried for your family’s health during aerial or truck spraying, here are some things you can do to minimize any possible health risks from pesticide application.1. Keep windows and doors closed during spraying, and if possible, turn off window air-conditioners.2. Keep children, pets and yourself indoors during spraying, until the next morning if possible.Bring in outdoor furniture, toys, pet dishes or tools and thoroughly rinse off anything that wasn’t covered.Finally, while in some instances WNV can cause encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain tissue) or meningitis, the occurrence is rare. Symptoms may include high fever, headache and body aches, skin rash, swollen lymph glands, neck stiffness, disorientation and convulsions. If you experience a combination of these symptoms, call or see a doctor immediately.
ADDITIONALLY FAMILY SUMMER INFORMATION:LONG ISLAND CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU AND SPORTS COMMISSIONLONG ISLAND TOURISM
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