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Summer Safety

Summer Safety Campaign ImageSummer is the season for relaxing, having fun and spending time with your family and friends.

  • When spending time outside, it’s important to protect your skin and eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
  • When preparing food on a grill, always follow the grill manufacturer’s instructions and proper food safety procedures.
  • Summertime is a prime time for use of motorcycles and bikes. Remember to wear a helmet and follow basic biker safety instructions.
  • Independence Day celebrations and outdoor parties are an enjoyable part of the summer. Make sure to drink alcoholic beverages responsibly and never let anyone drink and drive.

Resources & Links

American Red Cross

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center

U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center

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Summer Safety 2018 Sun Safety

Infographic
6/6/2018
This infographic provides information on ways to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays.

This infographic provides information on ways to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays.

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Summer Safety Campaign Main 2018

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6/1/2018
This infographic provides practical tips to help you practice summer safety while outside.

This infographic provides practical tips to help you practice summer safety while outside.

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Preventable and Treatable: Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion

Infographic
7/20/2017
Warmer temperatures and strenuous physical activity put service members at higher risk of heat illnesses. It is important for commanders, small unit leaders, training cadre, and supporting medical personnel – particularly at recruit training centers and installations with large combat troop populations – to educate service members about the risks early signs and symptoms, and preventive treatment measures related to heat illnesses. Signs of Dehydration • Light-headed/ Dizzy/ Headache • Fever • Lack of sweat • Dark yellow urine • Thirst Under the signs of dehydration section an image of a man experiencing these early signs and symptoms of heat illnesses. Staying Hydrated • Hydrate with water and eat rich foods with water before, during, and after exercise. • Decrease the intensity of the physical activity. Under the staying hydrated section graphics of a water bottle, glass of water, runner and cyclist appear. Signs of Heat Stroke • Fatigue • Combative • Confused • Muscle cramps Under the signs of heat stroke section, a man experiencing these symptoms of heat stroke displays. Effective Ways to Cool Off a Heat Stroke Victim • Make an “ice burrito” by wrapping the victim in cold sheets, ice packs, and wet towels • Immerse victim in cold water Images of ice and a man under a shower appear. Ways to Treat Heat Exhaustion • Use a rectal thermostat to read core body temperatures to diagnose and treat heat stroke • Provide IV fluid replacement • Spray with cool mist Image of rectal thermostat, man in a hospital bed with an IV and a man being sprayed with cool mist appear. Learn more about heat illness by reading MSMR Vol. 24 No. 3 – March 2017 at Health.mil/MSMR Source: Dr. Francis FG. O’Connor, a professor and chair of Military and Emergency Medicine and associate director for the Consortium on Health and Military Performance at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

This infographic documents the risks, early signs and symptoms, and preventive treatment measures related to heat illnesses.

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Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch | Summer Safety

Heat Illness Prevention: Use the Buddy System to Stay Cool and Safe

Infographic
7/20/2017
Did you know that exposure to heat and heat-related illnesses can cause a spectrum of disorders that includes minor conditions such as heat cramps to the more severe condition known as heat stroke? To protect U.S. service members, it is important for commanders, small unit leaders, training cadre, and supporting medical personnel to encourage the use of the buddy system to prevent these conditions – especially during training at recruit centers and installations. The buddy system pairs service members to stay motivated and hold each other accountable of their physical limits during training exercises. Protecting Service Members from Heat Illness • Do not exercise when sick. Intense workouts can increase susceptibility to illness, including infection and diarrhea. • Dump heat by taking a cold shower or ice slush immersion before a workout. • Wear a cooling vest to keep skin cool and dry in the heat. Learn more about heat illness prevention at Health.mil/AFHSB Stay cool. Stay hydrated. Stay informed. #BeatTheHeat Source: Dr. Francis G. O’Connor, a professor and chair of Military and Emergency Medicine and associate director for the Consortium on Health and Military Performance at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

This infographic documents the use of the buddy system to prevent heat-related illnesses.

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Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch | Summer Safety

Exertional heat injuries pose annual threat to U.S. service members

Article
7/20/2017
Two U.S. service members perform duties in warm weather where they may be exposed to extreme heat conditions and a higher risk of heat illness.

Exertional heat injuries pose annual threat to U.S. service members, according to a study published in Defense Health Agency’s Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch (AFHSB) peer-reviewed journal, the Medical Surveillance Monthly Report.

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Accidental Drownings Among U.S. Service Members

Infographic
5/25/2017
Military members are at risk for unintentional drownings during training, occupational activities and off-duty recreation. Increase your awareness today to lower your risks: Drowning prevention: Water-related recreational activities in or near water can be potentially dangerous – particularly for non-swimmers and weak swimmers – in hazardous conditions and settings (e.g., storms, currents, riptides), and when safety measures are not observed. Military members are at risk for unintentional drownings during training, occupational activities and off-duty recreation. Here are four ways you can prevent unintentional drowning: • Wear life jackets. • Take swim lessons to become a stronger swimmer. • Swim with a buddy; never swim alone. • Be knowledgeable of water environments you are in. Increase your awareness and lower your risks by reading the Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR) Vol. 22 No. 6 – June 2015 report “Update: Accidental drownings, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2005 – 2014 at www.Health.mil/MSMR #SwimSafe Follow us on Twitter for more information at AFHSBPAGE. Also check out hashtag #SwimSafe. Source: Defense Health Agency, Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. Graphic shows: • Man swimming in pool • Mom with three children swimming in pool. • Woman swimming in pool

Military members are at risk for unintentional drownings during training, occupational activities and off-duty recreation. This infographic provides swim safety information to help increase awareness and lower the risks of accidental drownings among service members.

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Preserving the Force

Policy

A message from the Secretary of Defense about summer safety

  • Identification #: N/A
  • Date: 4/17/2017
  • Type: Memorandums
  • Topics: Summer Safety

Update: Heat Illness Active Component U.S. Armed Forces, 2016

Infographic
4/4/2017
Heat illness refers to a spectrum of disorders that occur when the body is unable to dissipate heat absorbed from the external environment and the heat generated by internal metabolic processes. As heat illness progresses, failure of one or more body systems can occur. This infographic provides an update on heat illness among active component U.S. Armed Forces during 2016. There were 401 incident cases of heat stroke and 2,135 incident cases of other heat illness among active component service members. The annual incidence rate of cases of heat stroke in 2016 was slightly lower than the rate in 2015. There were fewer heat-stroke-related ambulatory visits and more reportable events in 2016 than in 2015. ‘Other heat illness’ was slightly higher in 2016 than in 2015. High risk of heat stroke in 2016 included males, service members aged 19 years or younger, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Recruit Trainees, Combat-specific occupations, Marine Corps and Army members. To learn more about the significant threat of heat illnesses to both the health of U.S. military members and the effectiveness of military operations, visit www.Health.mil/MSMR

Heat illness refers to a spectrum of disorders that occur when the body is unable to dissipate heat absorbed from the external environment and the heat generated by internal metabolic processes. As heat illness progresses, failure of one or more body systems can occur. This infographic provides an update on heat illness among active component U.S. Armed Forces during 2016.

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Minority Health Heat Illness Active Component U.S. Armed Forces, 2016

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4/4/2017
Heat illness refers to a spectrum of disorders that occur when the body is unable to dissipate heat absorbed from the external environment and the heat generated by internal metabolic processes. As heat illness progresses, failure of one or more body systems can occur. This report summarizes reportable medical events of heat illnesses, heat-related hospitalizations and ambulatory visits among minority active component members (Black, non-Hispanic, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islanders) during 2016. In 2016, incidence rates of heat stroke were highest among Asian/ Pacific Islanders than any other ethnicity. Crude incidence rate of “other heat illnesses” was higher among females than males. Heat Incidence cases: • Black, non-Hispanic heat illness incidence cases – 64 for heatstroke and 389 for other heat illnesses • Hispanic heat illness incidence cases— 63 for heatstroke and 320 for other heat illnesses • Asian/ Pacific Islander heat illness incidence cases – 32 for heatstroke and for 117 other heat illnesses Incidence rates: • Black, non-Hispanic incidence rates – 0.30 for heatstroke and 1.84 for other heat illnesses • Hispanic incidence rates – 0.33 for heatstroke and 1.67 for other heat illnesses • Asian/Pacific Islander – 0.62 for heatstroke and 2.26 for other heat illnesses Of all military members, the youngest and most inexperienced marines and soldiers – particularly those training at installations in the south eastern U.S. – are at highest risk of heat illnesses including heat stroke, exertional hyponatremia, and exertional rhabdomyolysis. Learn more at www.Health.mil/MSMR

Heat illness refers to a spectrum of disorders that occur when the body is unable to dissipate heat absorbed from the external environment and the heat generated by internal metabolic processes. As heat illness progresses, failure of one or more body systems can occur. This report summarizes reportable medical events of heat illnesses, heat-related hospitalizations and ambulatory visits among minority active component members (Black, non-Hispanic, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islanders) during 2016.

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What is Rhabdomyolysis?

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3/21/2017
Although regular exercise is good for the body, too much physical activity can do more harm than good. Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid breakdown of overworked muscle cells, following the release of toxic fibers into the bloodstream, causing many complications during physical exertion. This infographic provides information about the symptoms of Rhabdomyolysis, prevention and treatment. How to avoid: • Thoughtfully plan out your exercise routines • Drink adequate amounts of fluid • Minimize your workout time in extreme heat conditions How to treat: • IV fluids/ fluid replacement • Urinary Alkalization • Blood transfusion Symptoms of Rhabdomyolysis • Difficulty in arm motion / trouble lifting objects • Muscle weakness, muscle swelling and leg fatigue • Fever, confusion, loss of consciousness • Nausea and vomiting • Dark colored urine or lack of urine Learn more at Health.mil/MSMR

Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid breakdown of overworked muscle cells, following the release of toxic fibers into the bloodstream, causing many complications during physical exertion. This infographic provides information about the symptoms of Rhabdomyolysis, prevention and treatment.

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Zika: Protecting Camp Staff and Staffers

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7/20/2016

This CDC fact sheet targeted to Camp Administrators provides tips to keep staff and campers healthy while at camp.

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Zika: Protecting Children from Mosquito Bites at Camp

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7/20/2016

This CDC fact sheet targeted to parents, provides tips to keep their children healthy while at camp.

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Safe in the Sun

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7/1/2015
Safe in the Sun: Summer Safety Tips

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Summer Safety Tips for Parents and Kids

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6/1/2015
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Discusses summer safety tips for parents and kids with fun graphics.

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Follow these Tips to Survive Summer Heat

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8/12/2014
Follow these Tips to Survive Summer Heat

Knowing the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke will keep you safe during the dog days of summer. Both conditions impede performance and, even worse, are life-threatening for many. Treat any heat-related illness as a medical emergency. In this video, an expert explains how to spot the warning signs.

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