Time to Safety Proof the Staples of Summer

Jul 12, 2010
(marketwatch.com)-With summer in full swing, Health Net, Inc. is reminding everyone that now is an ideal time to safety proof the staple activities of summer -- from swimming to biking and basking in the sun's warming rays.

"Without question, injuries -- among both children and adults -- spike during the summer," explains Jonathan Scheff, M.D., chief medical officer for Health Net, Inc. "It's really not surprising," he says, "because people are much more active this time of year. As a result," adds Scheff, "it's important to be aware of potential hazards and to avoid the most common causes of summer injuries, illnesses and fatalities." Among these are: fireworks, swimming pools, bicycles, and the sun's powerful rays.

Pool safety

"Based on the most recent annual statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were more than 3,400 accidental drownings in the United States," says Scheff. "It's particularly alarming," he notes, "that more than one in five fatal drowning victims were children 14 years old and younger." To protect children from this danger, the Center for Injury Research and Policy recommends:

• Have children receive professional swimming instruction when they are 4 to 5 years old.
• Ensure that an adult is always present when children are swimming.
• Instruct youngsters to enter shallow water feet first and to never dive into water that is less than nine feet deep.
• Remove toys from the pool once children are done swimming; otherwise, youngsters could be tempted to reach for a toy and fall in.
• Avoid using inflatable swimming aids such as "water wings;" these are measurably inferior to approved life vests.

Bicycle safety

"While adults certainly sustain biking injuries, children are particularly at risk, so it's important that parents take the proper precautions on their behalf," Scheff notes. Toward this end, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests:

• Refrain from putting children on a two-wheeled bike until they are about 5 or 6 years old and stick to foot brakes until they are more experienced and can operate hand brakes.
• Do not buy a bicycle that a child is to "grow into;" the bike should be the proper size at the time of purchase.
• Insist that your child always wear a bicycle helmet.
• Buy a helmet approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Make sure the helmet is worn level on the head and that it can't be moved in any direction.

Sun Safety

"I think that the health care community has done a good job of increasing awareness about the dangers of unprotected exposure to the sun," observes Scheff. "When it comes to applying sunscreen, however, we need to do a better job of educating everyone." For example, according to the National Cancer Institute, the most common sunscreen mistakes are:

• Applying sunscreen after going outdoors. Sunscreen should be applied 15 to 30 minutes before going outside.
• Failing to apply enough sunscreen. Experts recommend using about one ounce.
• Forgetting to reapply sunscreen after swimming or sweating.
• Assuming that one application of sunscreen provides all-day protection. Even if you're not swimming or sweating, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours.
• Using sunscreen only when it's sunny. Clouds don't obstruct harmful UV rays.

About Health Net

Health Net, Inc. is among the nation's largest publicly traded managed health care companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The company's health plans and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to approximately 6.0 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Net's behavioral health subsidiary, MHN, provides mental health benefits to approximately 5.9 million individuals in all 50 states. The company's subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.

For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit the company's website at www.healthnet.com.

SOURCE: Health Net, Inc.