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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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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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Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch | Medical Surveillance Monthly Report | Summer Safety

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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Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch | Summer Safety

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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Summer Safety

Minority Health 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 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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Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch | Summer Safety

What is Rhabdomyolysis?

Infographic
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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Physical Activity | Summer Safety

Zika: Protecting Camp Staff and Staffers

Fact Sheet
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 Virus | Preventing Mosquito-Borne Illnesses | Mosquito-Borne Illnesses | Summer Safety

Zika: Protecting Children from Mosquito Bites at Camp

Fact Sheet
7/20/2016

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

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Preventing Mosquito-Borne Illnesses | Zika Virus | Summer Safety | Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

Safe in the Sun

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

Summer Safety Tips

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Summer Safety

Summer Safety Tips for Parents and Kids

Infographic
6/1/2015
Summer safety infographic

Discusses summer safety tips for parents and kids with fun graphics.

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Summer Safety

Follow these Tips to Survive Summer Heat

Video
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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Summer Safety
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