Summer Safety Tips in New York City

Summer is one of the best times to enjoy the beautiful outdoors, and many New Yorkers flock to the parks and the beach areas surrounding the city to soak up the sun. New York City is also home to more than 1,000 playgrounds, which are an endless source of fun for young children and families as well. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene takes a different approach to the summer season, however, and they seek to remind New Yorkers about summertime health and safety risks that are unique to this season.

As the summer season quickly approaches, hot and humid summer weather also hits the city. This heat can cause serious illness, particularly among older adults or people who have heart or lung diseases. Those who are using drugs or alcohol must also be careful in the heat, as they are more prone to illness and dehydration. Workers and athletes should also be especially careful to drink enough water when the weather gets hot, and should take frequent breaks if they have to be working or exercising in the heat of the day. As a precaution, you should never leave your children or pets in the car.

Simple summer safety tips like using your air conditioner during a heat wave, drinking water even if you do not feel thirsty, and seeking shade can help you avoid most of the nasty side effects that come with summer heat.

To combat the heat, many individuals and families turn to swimming for exercise and to stay cool. In order to stay safe, you should swim only in designated areas when lifeguards are on duty. It can be difficult to predict rip currents and other water conditions at the beach, so you should never swim alone and supervise children closely. If you need to learn how to swim, you can sign up for a variety of free swim programs through the New York City Parks Department at http://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/aquatics. Keep in mind that the Health Department regularly tests the city’s beach water and also the beaches to check for compliance with local, state and federal water safety standards.

If you take your children to the playground on a regular basis, you should be careful to look to hot surfaces that can burn bare skin. Metal and rubber surfaces can become scorching hot on a sunny day, so make sure that your children wear their shoes at all time. You can also visit the Parks Department’s web site for more safety tips at http://www.nycgovparks.org/facility/safety/play-it-safe.

Summertime in New York City means an increase in the number of barbecues and outdoor parties. If you are living in New York City, keep in mind that it is both illegal and dangerous to use a propane barbecue grill on a terrace, roof or balcony. Additionally, you should never grill or barbecue in an enclosed area like a garage, tent or trailer because of the dangerous levels of carbon monoxide that can build up and make you sick. In order to ensure safety, you should always light your barbecue fire safely while keeping in mind the dangerous of gasoline.

Here at Greenberg & Stein, P.C., we dedicate personal time and attention to help fellow New Yorkers understand how to stay safe and out of harm’s way. Our New York City injury attorneys have seen the serious injuries that can result from a moment of poor judgment, and we do everything in our power to help accident victims recover from any injuries they may suffer. If you or your loved one have suffered an accident that was caused by the negligence of another person or company, call our firm today to receive a free consultation to discuss your legal options.