WELCOME TO THE JULY EDITION OF FIRST IN FIRST AID!
Summer is in full swing in Canada! With the change of season, many people take advantage of rising temperatures to embrace the outdoors and all that Mother Nature has to offer. Whether you spend the warmer months fishing at your cottage up north or jamming out at the hottest music festivals, safety should always be your primary concern. This month's newsletter highlights everything you need to know to keep yourself and your loved ones out of deep water.
In this issue:
Sun Protection
Dehydration
Poisonous Plants
Food Poisoning
BBQ Safety
SUN PROTECTION
It isn't over exaggerating to say that one of the greatest threats to your safety in the summer is hanging right over your head. It's great to feel the sun's rays hitting your face on a hot afternoon, but it's also easy to get a sunburn if you stay in the sunshine for too long. Sunburns are caused by exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and plague 37% of adults in Canada and the United States at least once a year. The effects of sunburns vary upon their severity, ranging from itchy red or pink patches of skin for mild sunburns to painful blisters and fatigue for more serious cases. Unfortunately, the risks associated with the sun's rays do not end with itchy, peeling skin. A graver concern than the possibility of a sunburn is the chance of developing cancer. UVR from the sun is not only responsible for sunburns, but also for many cases of skin cancer - the most common cancer among Canadians.
Thankfully, it is possible to decrease your chances of becoming burnt as a strip of bacon and/or developing cancer by following these precautions.
Wear sunscreen! The lotion works by deflecting or absorbing ultraviolet radiation, denying it the chance to touch your skin. This is why it is important to use sunscreen liberally and to reapply every hour or two - if it isn't covering your skin, it isn't blocking the UV rays! The Canadian Dermatology Association says that a shot glass sized amount of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 is enough to protect your entire body, if it is reapplied when necessary.
Use beauty products with an SPF value on the bottle. Several cosmetic lines offer products like tinted moisturizer and lip balm that can give you a polished look while fighting off UVR.
Shade, shade and more shade. The best way to avoid being attacked by UVR is to prevent sunlight from even reaching your skin. Use sunhats with wide brims to shield your face on sunny days, and sunglasses or contact lenses that offer UV protection. Lightweight and breathable clothing that covers as much skin as possible also helps reduce your exposure to the sun.
Be wary of afternoon sunshine. The American Cancer Society suggests avoiding direct sunlight from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to decrease the intensity of the sun's rays on your skin.
Pay attention to your skin! If you notice a new mole that starts changing shape and has an irregular border, it's a good idea to ask your doctor whether it could be a result of skin cancer.
DEHYDRATION
The heat can be a damper on your fun if you forget to stay hydrated while you relax and socialize. Dehydration can affect people of any age, but is a greater issue for the elderly. To avoid a trip to the hospital in the midst of your summertime fun, take advantage of these tips to protect yourself against the heat.
Keep a record of how much water you drink. As a general guideline, the Institute of Medicine recommends that women drink nine cups of water daily, while men should drink thirteen. Note that this measurement refers to pure water, not other drinks!
Pay attention to what you drink. Avoid drinks that are high in sugar content - they can lower the amount of water that is absorbed into your system. Alcohol is also a concern, as it dehydrates your body.
Invest in a water bottle. Carrying one allows you to quench your thirst whenever you please and save money on drinks every day. Reusable bottles have different benefits - glass resists bacteria, plastic is lightweight, and metal keeps liquid cold for longer. Make sure to buy one that best suits your needs to get the most bang for your buck.
Check the weather. If there is a heat advisory or if your local weather network predicts temperatures higher than what you are comfortable with, stay indoors as much as possible and drink lots of water.
Symptoms of Dehydration
Drink more water if you notice the following:
Dark coloured urine or lack of urine.
A fever. This is classified as any situation in which body temperature is above 37.1°C in the morning and 37.7°C at any other time during the day, according to the Canadian Pharmacists Association.
Less elasticity in skin. If you pinch the skin on your hand and it takes longer to return to its normal form than usual, you may be dehydrated.
Dizziness or nausea.
A faster than usual heart rate.
Drowsiness, confusion or irritability.
Seek medical attention from your doctor if you experience weight loss, weakness, vomiting for over a day, or diarrhea for more than two days. If you experience any of the following, seek emergency medical attention at a hospital:
A fever higher than 39.4°C.
Seizures.
Difficulty breathing.
Chest or abdominal pain.
Fainting.
Coma.
Lack of urine for over 12 hours.
In children, the symptoms of dehydration are similar, but include the following:
Sunken eyes.
A sunken soft spot on the front of infants' heads.
Crying without tears.
Dry mouth.
Take your child to the nearest hospital if your child has a fever of over 39.4°C, has been vomiting or experiencing diarrhea for over 24 hours, has blood in his or her stool, or experiences any of the warning signs detailed above related to dehydration in adults.
Myths Surrounding Dehydration
Caffeinated drinks are dehydrating. People draw the conclusion that caffeine is a cause for dehydration, off the basis that some people need to go to the bathroom more often when they drink coffee. However, a study in 2000 by the Centre for Human Nutrition confirmed that caffeinated beverages provide just as much hydration as their non-caffeinated counterparts. As long as your coffee does not have excessive sugary contents (whipped cream, syrup, chocolate, etc.), caffeine does not affect hydration levels in the average human.
Water is the most hydrating drink. In most situations where people are not participating in strenuous physical activity, water is a good choice of drink. However, when you are playing sports or sweating a lot, sports drinks may be a more hydrating alternative than pure water. They replenish electrolytes you use when you sweat, allowing you to retain more water.
There is no harm in drinking excessive water. If you drink too much water, the sodium levels in your blood can drop too low. Sodium acts as an electrolyte, so a deficit of them oversaturates your cells with water, causing them to swell. Symptoms of water poisoning include headaches, lethargy, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. If you suspect someone is suffering from water poisoning, take the victim to the emergency room. To prevent this lethal mishap in the future, be mindful of how much water you drink, and don't drink too much water at once.
POISONOUS PLANTS
Hiking is a popular summertime leisure activity for the athletically inclined. Parks all around Canada offer outstanding trails with a wide variety of wildlife, especially in conservation areas. With any hiking expedition, there is a chance that you may encounter poisonous plants on your treks. Familiarize yourself with the following poisonous plants so that you can recognize them on sight and avoid them - they're common around Ontario.
Poison Ivy
Leaves of three, let them be! These pesky plants are characterized by their infamous leaves, which appear in sets of three, connected in the center to a long stalk. Parks may warn of their existence, and section off areas where poison ivy runs rampant, but you should still be on the lookout for their appearance on your treks. Touching the oil that poison ivy produces, urushiol, will result in an itchy and inflamed rash for 60 to 80 percent of people who come in contact with it.
If you think you are entering an area where you could encounter poison ivy, take precautionary measures by covering up as much as possible. Use over-the-counter creams designed to prevent your skin from absorbing the oil. If you come in contact with the poisonous plant, wash all your clothes and your body extensively, as urushiol is stubborn - it will stick to anything it touches until it is washed off.
If you are unlucky enough to get a rash from poison ivy, cool-water baths and products with oatmeal can soothe the itching and burning, just as they do with sunburns. Cortisone and Calamine over-the-counter lotions serve the same purpose, reducing the urge to scratch and thus allowing the rash to heal quicker.
Giant Hogweed and Wild Parsnip
These two weeds are relatives, and thus have similar effects on humans. If you touch Giant Hogweed or Wild Parsnip sap in the sunlight, you will develop burns that can last up to six years, sensitivity to sunlight, painful blisters, and blindness if sap enters the eye. Giant Hogweed grows up to around five metres tall, and has a deep red stem with little leaves. It flowers during the summer and early autumn, producing large clusters of small white flowers in a disk formation. Wild parsnip looks like a smaller version of the Giant Hogweed, capping out at about 150 centimetres in height, and develops small disk-shaped clusters of yellow flowers. It blooms from late May to early autumn. Unlike its larger relative, wild parsnip roots are edible - it's only the sap of the plant that is dangerous. Since they are invasive species, native to Central Asia, you should call the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or contact them online, sending them a photo for identification and the plant's location. If it is on your property, methods of removal are available online. Be wary while removing - you don't want to injure yourself in the process.
If you must interact with the plant because it is on your property, cover up as much as possible before removing the weed from the premises. Also, remove the plant at night to avoid sunlight. Thoroughly shower after you remove of the weed or come into contact with it.
If you develop a burn, wash the affected area with cold water and soap. Stay out of the sunlight so that the burn does not worsen, and ask your doctor for topical ointments to heal the burn. You will need to protect the burn site from the sun for years to come, so apply sunscreen or keep the area covered when you go outside. If you get the sap in your eyes, rinse thoroughly and wear sunglasses to prevent the sunlight from reacting with any remaining sap.
Pokeweed
This weed has red stalks and small green buds that blossom into small white flowers in the summer. It looks like lavender, except its flowers are white and the plant can grow to 300 centimetres tall. The plant is poisonous to humans and livestock, as are its purple-red berries. Symptoms of ingestion include nausea, disorientation, weakness, sweating, and in severe cases, unconsciousness, convulsions and seizures. Since the plants are native to Ontario, there is no need to get rid of the plant - just be wary of it and make sure than no humans or animals eat it. Seek immediate medical care if ingested.
Spotted Water Hemlock
This plant ranges from one to two metres in height, and blooms in small inverted umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers. Fifteen inch long toothed leaves appear on alternate sides of its stem. Its stem is green and speckled with purple dashes, releasing a yellowish oil when it is cut. It is this substance which causes adverse effects when ingested - it contains cicutoxin, which interacts with the central nervous system of its victims. Symptoms of ingestion develop quickly, and include hallucinations, frothing at the mouth, rapid pulse and breathing, convulsions, and eventually death. For this reason, the plant is widely considered the most dangerous plant in North America. Since it is native to the continent, all you can do is avoid it - even though it has lethal effects on its consumers, it is still essential to the ecological system in North America. Seek immediate medical attention if you accidentally ingest Spotted Water Hemlock. Time is of the essence in the event of an incident, as the symptoms develop quickly after consumption.
FOOD POISONING
'Tis the season for barbecues and picnics, and St. John Ambulance wants you to be prepared in the face of a common issue during this time of year - food poisoning. Four million Canadians are affected by food poisoning every year, and over ten thousand of those victims end up hospitalized. Food poisoning is often the result of poor handling while cooking - it's easy for food to become contaminated when it is stored at the wrong temperature, or not cleaned properly. Follow these tips to ensure that your food is safe for consumption!
Wash your hands before eating. The Public Health Agency of Canada suggests that hands should be washed jewelry-free for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, and then dried with a paper towel or clean washcloth.
Clean your greens. Thoroughly washing your produce to remove any harmful toxins and bacteria that may have come from the farm.
Ensure that your refrigerator and freezer are set to safe temperatures. Your freezer should be around -18°C to keep its contents frozen. Temperatures above 4°C and below 60°C create breeding grounds for bacteria, so make sure your refrigerator is set to 4°C. Don't leave food in the open for more than two hours to avoid spoiling.
Pick up perishables and cold foods last when you're at the grocery store, so that they don't remain out of the fridge or freezer for too long.
Keep raw meat and fish separate! If one piece of meat is contaminated, and it is stored with other healthy pieces of meat and fish, the entire supply will become tainted. This will increase your risk of food poisoning. Thus, separating meat and fish in the shopping, storage, preparing and cooking process decreases the chances of cross-contamination.
Thaw meat in plastic bags under cold running water instead of letting them thaw in the open air, where they can accumulate bacteria.
Fully cook all food. Cooking meat, poultry and fish kills live bacteria, so cooking it completely will reduce the chances of unwanted toxins remaining in your food.
Cover food. This prevents the chances of airborne toxins and critters from reaching your dishes. This applies when cooking the food as well as serving it.
By following the above tips, you can easily practice safe cooking habits and reduce your risk of suffering from food poisoning.
BBQ SAFETY
Barbecue - the unofficial food of the summer. It makes Sunday night something to look forward to and brings people together with the power of home-cooked meat. However, there are some things we, as responsible citizens, have to keep in mind to have a safe outdoor experience while grilling our burgers.
Before use...
Look for damaged parts in your barbecue, especially if it's your first time using it since last summer. Damaged seals, hoses and other parts can malfunction and start behaving unusually.
Use soapy water to check for bubbles from your barbecue! If you see bubbles, it means you have a leak somewhere in your grill - get it checked and repaired by a professional before continuing.
Remove built-up grease on your burners. It might take a little effort, but it's better than worrying about your grill catching fire while you cook.
Make sure your barbecue is in an open space with lots of fresh air! Cooking in closed areas can create carbon monoxide and a build-up of smoke, both of which are dangerous if inhaled. For this reason it is unwise to barbecue under canopies and tents - also, you wouldn't want to get smoke stains on your canopy.
Keep any flammable objects away from the grill!
Check your barbecue brush before use. Does it look old and weathered? You might want to consider buying a new one. The bristles can break off old brushes and end up in your drumsticks.
During use...
Lighting barbecues can be a difficult task. Here are some tips to help:
Ensure the lid is open! This step is crucial for your safety.
Tighten the valve on your tank - remember righty-tighty, lefty-loosey!
Adjust the burner controls.
Lean away from the barbecue before you use the ignite switch. This way, if something does go wrong, you won't get burnt.
If the barbecue does not light, don't turn it on again right away! Doing so could cause a burst of fire due to the potential build-up of gas in the air. Wait for a minute before reigniting the gas to prevent a nasty burn.
Focus on the grill at all times. Failure to do this could result in unnecessary accidents.
Use long-tooled utensils to handle meat on the grill without getting too close to the flames.
Watch your barbecue brush to ensure that bristles aren't falling off.
After use...
Shut off the gas valve, remembering the "righty-tighty, lefty-loosey" rule.
Let the remaining gas in the hose burn off.
Turn off the burners.
Recognize gas leaks!
If you smell something reminiscent of rotten eggs, there's another place you want to check along with your fridge. Propane and natural gas companies often add these scents to their products in case of a gas leak. If you smell this, take your propane cylinder back to the store to have if inspected. Be careful with it - it's flammable!
FROM THE EDITOR
As you can see, our July e-newsletter is all about summer safety. For some this time of year means heading up to the boat - weather permitting - sometimes accompanied by family or friends. This can expose loved ones without much boating experience, to a different environment. Conducting yourself without acknowledging this can lead to unfortunate consequences. There is an old tried and true adage for docking a boat. "Go slow, then go slower". The same should apply to all of us, anytime we take off on holidays, especially if they involve new places or activities. So whether you are finally building that fence, motoring around Europe, or enjoying a cold one on a buddies dock: Go slow, then go slower.
Disclaimer: All statistics found in this newsletter can be found on Statistics Canada.
Hope you will find the above information useful.
Thanks