By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Staff Writer

What's the most dangerous season? The icy winter? The spring full of wild weather? It is actually summer. Not only can the heat get you, causing medical problems, but cooling off can also be very dangerous.

By knowing the risks of summer activity and ways to prevent them, you and your loved ones can enjoy the remaining few weeks of summertime fun.

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 384 people die from heat related problems each year. These tips sound like common sense, but they still must be followed. Avoid vigorous activity during the hottest part of the day (noon to 4 p.m.), avoid overexposure to the sun, and drink plenty of water regularly.

In a study done by the Suntory Water Group, Atlanta residents had a less than 10 percent recognition of the symptoms of dehydration. Twenty-three percent of the residents were not aware of any of the symptoms of dehydration. That's pretty scary, considering how hot it can get here.

“You don't have to be thirsty to be dehydrated,” said Laney Hixon, a dietitian at Northside Hospital. “When the body starts getting dehydrated, the signs are both physical and mental.” Just a 3 to 5 percent drop of water in the body can cause light-headedness, headaches, dizziness and nausea.

Though it is important to be hydrated and keep cool, water also can be dangerous. In the United States, drowning is the number one cause of death in children under the age of 2. Again, it seems like common sense, but children need adult supervision while swimming or playing near a pool. Never leave children unsupervised, even for a few seconds.

To prevent accidents, horseplay should be discouraged, the area surrounding a pool should be clear of bottles, glasses, toys and other possible accident hazards, and never swim alone or allow others to swim alone. If you or your neighbor owns a swimming pool, you should also take CPR classes, in the event that an accident does occur.

If an accident does occur, remove the victim immediately, and sit him/her upright holding the head down for five seconds to drain the water from the mouth. If the victim doesn't respond, start CPR and call 911.

These tips have been drilled into our heads for years and yet accidents still happen. Perhaps the best advice is to assume that things may go wrong without using common sense and preventive techniques. It is far better to be safe than sorry.

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