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    Published on May 17, 2019

    Safety tips for summer activities

    When fun is on the agenda during the summer months, make sure you keep the following tips in mind to help prevent injuries.

    When it comes to bikes, it’s not a “Tour de Chance”

    1. Wear a helmet. Helmets are the best way to protect yourself from head trauma.
    2. Mind your surroundings. Ride defensively and be aware of other cyclists and drivers around you, so you can steer clear of disastrous situations.
    3. Be predictable. Use hand signals and make your intentions clear. Don’t make sudden, sharp turns. Drivers around you may not react in time if you do, especially if they’re distracted!
    4. Be prepared. Make sure your wheels are well-maintained and wear bright clothing.

    Fireworks are lit, but treat them carefully

    1. Fireworks aren’t toys and should never be treated carelessly. Fireworks can cause severe burns and severe injuries (such as blindness or even death) when they explode. And remember that fireworks and alcohol don’t mix!
    2. Age is a factor. Children lack the knowledge or the experience to use fireworks safely. Even sparklers, which can reach 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, can cause severe burns to children.
    3. Watch the pros. The best way to ensure fireworks safety is to leave them to the experts. If you’re wanting to see the rockets’ red glare, head for a professional fireworks show.

    All-terrain vehicles aren’t all-age vehicles

    1. Children are not safe on ATVs. Both the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Academy of Pediatrics say that children under 16 should never be on an ATV.
    2. ATVs are not toys. ATVs are very prone to rolling over, which is the leading cause of ATV-related injuries and deaths. Kentucky ranked fifth in the top 10 states for ATV deaths from 1982 to 2016.
    3. Gear up. Kentucky law requires that anyone on an ATV wear a helmet. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has more information on the approved types of protective gear.
    4. Never ride an ATV on paved roads. ATVs are especially dangerous on pavement, and Kentucky law strictly prohibits this (with exceptions for crossing a road).

    Read more

    This story is from the summer 2019 issue of Lift magazine. For more stories, check out some of our latest editions.

    About Owensboro Health

    Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.

    On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.