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Summer Safety Tips

Sunglasses Follow these tips to help beat the heat:

Drink plenty of fluids: Drink two to four glasses of cool fluids each hour.
Do not drink caffeinated or alcoholic beverages because they dehydrate the body.
Keep cool indoors: If you can, stay in an air-conditioned area. Resting for just two hours in air conditioning can significantly reduce heat-related illnesses.
Plan outdoor activities around the heat: If you must go outside, go before noon or at night when it's cooler. Avoid strenuous physical activities or reschedule them for the coolest part of the day, usually the early morning.
Give your body a break: Heat is stressful on your body. Limit physical activity until your body adjusts to the heat.
Eat light meals, avoiding high-protein foods because they increase metabolic heat.
Don’t take salt tablets unless directed by a physician.
Wear light-colored clothing, which helps reflect sunlight.
Wear sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Sunburn makes it more difficult for your body to cool off.
Never leave children or pets unattended in a car—not even for a few minutes. Even with the windows slightly open, the temperature in a car on a 93-degree day can soar to 125 degrees in just 20 minutes and approximately 140 degrees in 40 minutes.

Pool Safety

Swimming is a great way to beat the heat. Never leave children alone or out of eye contact while they are in or near the water. If you must leave, take the child with you. An adult should be within arm’s length whenever an infant or toddler is in the pool. Remove toys from the area when you’re not using them since toys can attract young children to the pool. If you own a pool, require that all adults in your family learn CPR. Also, have a phone and emergency equipment (such as life preservers, shepherd’s crook and a first-aid kit) poolside in case of emergency.

More pool safety tips:

• Make sure children learn to swim from a qualified instructor.

• Take frequent breaks. Exhaustion may occur due to excessive activity and sun exposure.

• Never overestimate swimming ability or knowledge of water-survival skills.

• Ensure pool areas are fenced off to eliminate the chance a child will accidentally fall into the water in unsupervised areas. Keep the pool gate locked when the pool is not in use.

• Never use floatation devices as substitutes for supervision.

• Never dive without first determining the water depth. Look for NO DIVING signs. Dive only when it is safe to do so.

• Never swim during lightning storms. The National Lightning Safety Institute recommends all activities in and around pools remain suspended until 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard.

• Keep a safety buoy with a rope or pole beside the pool in the event a rescue is necessary.

• Learn and become certified in CPR.

• Avoid alcohol and stay sober in or near the water. Alcohol affects your balance, coordination and can impair your swimming skills. It may also alter your sense of judgment, which might lead you to do something that you would not risk otherwise.

For water safety training and boating safety, as well as CPR training, basic water safety training or lifeguard training, contact the Fairfax County Park Authority at 703-324-8702, TTY 711.

For more pool safety information, residents also may contact Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Public Affairs and Life Safety Education, 703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419.

Sun Safety and Children

The American Academy of Pediatrics reports babies younger than 6 months need extra protection from the sun. Their sensitive skin is thinner than adult skin, which causes them to sunburn more easily. Even babies with naturally darker skin need protection. Since young children are more vulnerable to the sun, here are some specific rules for children younger than 1 year:

• Babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of the direct sunlight. Keep them in the shade and under a tree, umbrella or the stroller canopy.

• Dress babies in clothing that covers the body, such as comfortable lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts and hats with brims that shade the face and cover the ears.

• If your baby gets a sunburn and is younger than 1 year, contact your pediatrician. A severe sunburn is an emergency.

• For babies younger than 6 months, the risks or benefits of sunscreen use are not yet known. If your baby needs to be outdoors, discuss sunscreen and other options with your pediatrician.

• For babies older than 6 months, choose a sunscreen made for children.

For children older than 1 year, follow these simple rules to protect your family from sunburns now and from skin cancer later in life:

• Choose sunscreen that is made for children, preferably waterproof. Before covering children completely, test the sunscreen on their back for a reaction. Apply carefully around the eyes, avoiding the eyelids. If a rash develops, talk to a pediatrician.

• If a child gets a sunburn that results in blistering, pain or fever, contact the pediatrician.

Parks Offer Relief from the Heat

Make a dash for a cool splash at a Fairfax County Park Authority pool. The parks offer indoor pools at nine RECenters, plus the Water Mine at Lake Fairfax Park, an outdoor Western-theme pool with slides, bubblers, Rattlesnake River and more attractions for the young and the young at heart.

Parks offer a host of other cool choices for summer fun. Fish from the shaded banks of Burke Lake, take a morning hayride through the woods and fields of Frying Pan Farm Park, chill out with a skating session at Mount Vernon RECenter’s ice arena, catch the breeze on a boat ride (canoe, pedal boat or rowboat) at Lake Accotink, try kayaking at Riverbend Park or enjoy a naturalist-led walk through the forest from a nature center.

Also, RECenters and nature centers offer a host of classes and programs presented in air-conditioned comfort. To discover what’s going on at a park near you and find the closest pool/RECenter, visit the Fairfax County Parks Web site or check “Parktakes.” (If you don’t yet have your free subscription, the magazine also is available at parks, county libraries and government centers, or online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ptsubs.htm).

For other cool summer activities, pick up the Fairfax County Department of Family Services’ “Guide to Summer Fun and Safety,” an 18-page booklet full of safety tips and fun activities. Inside its pages are important safety tips for children. Get a guide at the county’s RECenters, libraries or through the department; call 703-324-7400, option 2, TTY 703-222-9452.

Boat Safety

Water safety includes boating and other recreational activities on ponds, lakes and streams. Children should wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets at all times when on boats or near bodies of water. Make sure the life jacket is the right size for your child and is not loose. Inflatable water toys or rafts should never be used as life jackets or life preservers. Adults also should wear life jackets for their own protection and to set a good example for children. Outfit the family pet with a life preserver as well, since most dogs are not by nature excellent swimmers. Always watch the weather before and during a boating outing. Return to port as soon as you hear or see a storm.

For water safety training, boating safety and basic water safety training, contact the Fairfax County Park Authority at 703-324-8702, TTY 711; for more on boating safety residents also may contact Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Public Affairs and Life Safety Education, 703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419.

Picnics and Food Safety

Warm weather also means the picnic season has arrived. To be safe, the Health Department reminds picnickers that raw meat, poultry and seafood need to stay in a cooler with ice until cooked thoroughly. Keep all perishable foods, especially those made with mayonnaise, raw eggs, deli meats or seafood, in the cooler as much as possible. When transporting food, keep it cold by using an insulated cooler with sufficient ice or ice packs to keep the food at 41 degrees or below. Pack food from the refrigerator into the cooler immediately before leaving home, and keep the cooler in the coolest part of your car. Also, keep your cooler out of direct sun and in the shade or under a shelter. Avoid opening the lid too often, which lets cold air out and warm air in. Pack beverages in one cooler and perishables in a separate cooler.

For more information on food safety, contact the Fairfax County Health Department Food Safety Section, 703-246-2444, TTY 703-591-6435.

Grilling Safety

When grilling on an apartment or condo balcony, remember that Fairfax County only permits cooking devices that use either electricity or natural gas as a fuel source and are listed by a recognized testing authority. When barbecuing, keep the grill in a level position at all times. If using charcoal, douse the coals thoroughly with water after grilling, and always ensure coals are placed in a metal container and away from combustibles. Never leave children or pets unattended near a hot grill. With charcoal grills, only use starter fluids designed for that purpose. With gas grills, check hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing. Always store the gas cylinder outside and away from the house. Never use gasoline and never add more liquid fuel after the fire has started.

For more information on grill safety, contact the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Public Affairs and Life Safety Education, 703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419.

For more on food handling and grilling, contact the Fairfax County Health Department, 703-246-2411, TTY 703-591-6435.

Child Supervision Guidelines

When school is not in session, it sometimes may be necessary to leave children unattended for short periods of time, although children 7 or younger should never be left unattended. Lack of supervision is one of the most prevalent child neglect problems. The following guidelines represent minimally accepted standards for the supervision of children and have been developed by social work professionals in collaboration with the community. There may be situations, even within these guidelines, when it is not safe to leave a child unsupervised. Parents ultimately are responsible for making decisions about their child’s safety.

Whenever any child is unsupervised or unattended the following should apply:

• There must be no emotional, medical or behavioral problems that affect judgment or decision-making skills.
• The child must be comfortable being alone.
• The child must have a safety plan worked out with the parent/caretaker and must demonstrate the ability to follow the safety plan.

Age Guidelines:

• 7 years and under: Should not be left alone for any period of time.

• 8 to 10 years: Should not be left alone for more than 90 minutes and only during daylight and early evening hours.

• 11 to 12 years: May be left alone for no more than three hours and not late at night or in circumstances requiring inappropriate responsibility.

• 13 to 15 years: May be left unsupervised, but not overnight.

• 16 to 17 years: May be unsupervised for up to two consecutive overnight periods.

For more safety tips and fun summer activities, see the Fairfax County Department of Family Services’ “Guide to Summer Fun and Safety."

Window Safety

With the arrival of spring and summer, windows are opened to let in fresh air. Every year children fall from windows and land in area hospitals. Remember, children are top heavy; they can be looking out an open window one minute and falling through it the next. A screen offers little protection when the weight of a child pushes against it. Here are some important safety tips to prevent children falling from open windows:

• Always supervise young children. Life-threatening injuries can happen in seconds to a child left unattended.

• Close and lock windows whenever young children are around. For ventilation, open windows that children cannot reach (for example, open double-hung windows from the top only).

• Keep furniture and beds away from windows. Children can quickly climb onto window ledges and fall.

• Keep window treatments (blinds, cords, drapes, etc.) out of children’s reach. They may injure themselves when climbing or be strangled.

For more information, contact Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Public Affairs and Life Safety Education, 703-246-3801, TTY 703-385-4419.

Pet Safety

Leave your pets at home. That is the advice Fairfax County Animal Services officers give pet owners at this time of year. Take the dog to the veterinarian’s office or to the dog park, but do not take it on errands, even when you are “just going to be a minute.” Days that seem mild to humans are too hot for a pet to be locked in a car. Leaving a window down an inch or two is not enough to provide a safe environment for your pet. Fifteen minutes in a hot car is enough for animal body temperatures to go from normal to deadly. If the temperature is in the 60s or higher, experts recommend not leaving pets or children in parked cars, even for short periods.

If you see an animal in a parked car that appears to be in distress or could soon be in distress, call the Public Safety Communications Center at 703-691-2131, TTY 711. Note the car make and model, license plate number and the location. If the pet owner might be in a nearby store, you can have the store page the owner over a public address system. Animal control officers, police officers and fire and rescue personnel have the authority to break into a car to rescue an animal in distress. Depending on the health of the animal at the time it is rescued, the owners can be charged with animal cruelty.

Mosquitoes

The most effective way to eliminate mosquitoes around your home is to tip and toss the standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Common problem areas and ways to correct them are:

• Roof gutters- Clean out leaves and debris blocking and holding water.

• Discarded cans and containers- Remove, store inside or turn upside down.

• Old tires- Store tires where they will not collect rainwater.

• Birdbaths- Clean and change the water every five to seven days.

• Wading pools- Change water regularly and turn over when not in use.

• Drainage ditches- Keep open and free from debris that holds water.

• Canoes and boats- Cover with a tight-fitting tarp or turn upside down.

• Tarps on woodpiles or garden equipment- Remove sagging areas.

• Ornamental ponds- Stock with small fish.

• Puddles and wet or soggy areas- Drain or backfill.

• Standing water on your property- Treat with a lavaracide to prevent mosquito breeding.

To avoid mosquito bites, make sure that all window and door screens fit tightly and are free of holes that mosquitoes can use to enter the house. When outside, wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and long pants. Use an insect repellent indicated for mosquitoes and follow the label instructions. For more information on how to protect yourself from mosquitoes, contact the Fairfax County Health Department, 703-246-2300, TTY 711.

Rabies

The long summer days bring out other biting critters as well. Enjoy natural wildlife from a distance. Wild animals and strays can carry rabies, a virus that attacks the nervous system and can kill any mammal, including humans. Pet owners also are reminded to keep their pets’ vaccinations current-it’s the law.

The Fairfax County Health Department cautions that people should avoid contact with unfamiliar pets, stray animals, all wildlife and bats. Because the rabies virus is shed in the saliva of sick animals, health officials caution that any animal bite or scratch should be taken seriously. Anyone bitten or scratched by an animal, wild or domestic, that results in a break in the skin or saliva in an open wound should wash the wound immediately with soap and water, notify Animal Services (a division of the Police Department) and call their family physician for treatment advice. If a bat is found in one’s home, the person should immediately call Animal Services. Likewise, residents should immediately contact Animal Services if their pet is bitten by a wild animal. All bites can be reported to Fairfax County Animal Services at 703-691-2131 (voice/TTY).

Information about rabies also can be obtained from the Fairfax County Health Department, 703-246-2300, TTY 703-591-6435.

Health officials recommend the following steps to prevent families and pets from exposure to rabies:

• Vaccinate all cats, dogs and ferrets against rabies and keep the vaccination current.
• Avoid contact with wild animals, stray cats and stray dogs.
• Do not feed wild animals, stray cats and stray dogs.
• Report stray animals to Fairfax County Animal Services.
• Eliminate outdoor food sources around the home.
• Keep pets confined to your property or walk them on a leash.

For additional information, contact the Fairfax County Police Animal Services Division at 703-691-2131 (voice/TTY), the county’s wildlife biologist at 703-266-3523, TTY 711, or visit Fairfax County Animal Services contact information page.

Keeping Cool

Fairfax County residents who need help to keep their homes cool this summer and prevent a health emergency resulting from extreme heat, may be able to get assistance from two programs locally administered by the county’s Department of Family Services.

Protect Your Home While on Summer Vacation

Be sure to lock all doors and windows before you leave and let a neighbor have a key. When leaving your home, practice the following advice.

If you are just going out to dinner or to run errands:

• A residence which presents a “lived-in” appearance is a deterrent to burglars. Never leave notes that can inform a burglar that your house is unoccupied. Make certain all windows and doors are secured before departing. An empty garage advertises your absence. Close the doors.

• When going out at night, leave one or more interior lights on and perhaps have a radio playing (TV sets should not be left unattended). Timers may be purchased that will turn lights on and off during your absence.

• Do not leave door keys under flower pots or doormats, inside an unlocked mailbox, over the doorway, or in other obvious places.

If you are planning to go on vacation or a prolonged absence:

• Discontinue newspaper and other deliveries by phone or in person ahead of time. Do not leave notes.

• Arrange for lawn care and have someone remove advertising circulars and other debris regularly. On the other hand, several toys scattered about will create an impression of occupancy.

• Notify the post office to forward your mail or have a trustworthy person pick it up daily. Apartment house tenants should also heed this hint since stuffed mail receptacles are a giveaway when no one is home.

• Inform neighbors of your absence so they can be extra alert for suspicious people. Leave a key with them so your place may be periodically inspected. Ask them to vary the positions of your shades and blinds.

• When you leave, do not publicize your plans. Some burglars specialize in reading newspapers accounts of other people’s vacation activities.

• If you find a door or window has been forced or broken while you were away, do not enter the house. The criminal may still be inside. Use a neighbor’s phone immediately to summon police.

• Do not touch anything or clean up if a crime has occurred. Preserve the scene until police inspect for evidence.

For summer (and year-round) safety, the Fairfax County Police Department reminds residents to always:

• Lock your doors before you leave.
• Trust a neighbor with a key.
• Be a concerned neighbor yourself.

For more crime safety information, contact the Fairfax County Police Department Public Information Department, 703-246-2253, TTY 711, or your local police station.

Summer Driving Safety

Residents should remember safe driving tips year-round, but drivers should be especially cautious during the summer months as children are out in neighborhoods playing and riding bikes. The Fairfax County Police Department encourages motorists to heed the following safe driving tips:

• Don’t drink and drive – according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash.

• Don’t drive while impaired – this includes driving while drowsy, driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of another drug.

• Drive defensively – whether you’re on a summer excursion or just taking a short jaunt to the grocery store, always drive defensively; expect the unexpected.

• Turn on your lights – daytime running lights are becoming standard equipment on new cars and have been shown to increase safety, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

• Wear a seat belt – wear your safety belt at all times. And, if you travel with kids, be sure they’re buckled in child safety restraints appropriate for their age and weight, and put all kids 12 and younger in the back seat. Call 866-SEAT-CHECK or visit www.seatcheck.org for more information.

For more safe driving tips and driver safety information, contact the Fairfax County Police Department Public Information Department, 703-246-2253, TTY 711, or your local police station.

More Information

Extreme Heat (FEMA)
Heat Wave (American Red Cross)
Prepare for Hot Weather Before it Happens (EPA)
Seasonal Safety Information (Fairfax County)
Water Conservation (Fairfax Water)

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