The Gem State Guardian - Spring 2011 - Keep Trees

Have a great summer...
By Chief Warrant Offi cer 3 Virgel Clark, JFHQ-ID Safety Offi cer
Summer’s on the way, and soon everyone will want to get outside
and enjoy all the activities Idaho offers. Whether barbecuing in the
back yard or swimming at the lake, the possibilities for summer fun
and adventure are boundless. We can all enjoy these to the fullest if
we just pay attention to a few safety basics.
Be sun savvy. Slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on
a hat. Wear wrap-around sunglasses to protect your eyes and sensitive
skin around them from ultraviolet light. Take advantage of shade,
especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Apply sunscreen with an SPF
of 15 or higher at least 30 minutes before going outside. And proper
hydration is key—stay hydrated before and during any activity, even
if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol while in
the sun or heat since these promote dehydration and can set you
up for heat exhaustion or worse.
Ahoy boaters! It’s hard to beat a day out on the water, so keep
it a safe one by ensuring that personal fl otation devices are available
and worn, and everyone knows what to do if someone falls
overboard. Weather can be unpredictable and can turn your boating
adventure into a disaster…check the forecast, and don’t take
chances if the weather gets iffy. Carry an ABC-rated fi re extinguisher
and be careful when refueling. Beware of unmarked underwater or
fl oating obstacles that could ruin your day. And remember that boating
and alcohol don’t mix.
Going hiking? Be sure to take a map and compass if you’re not
familiar with the area. Tell someone where you’re going and when
you plan to return. Be aware of the critters out there, and take the
necessary precautions. And in the woods, mosquitoes can be more
than just an irritant…West Nile virus remains a risk here in Idaho. Take
along an effective mosquito repellant containing DEET, and use it.
Outdoor chefs. If you’re using a gas grill, check tubes and hoses
for cracks or leaks—soapy water can help you fi nd them—and don’t
store fl ammables, like that extra propane tank, near the grill. Charcoal
grillers—don’t use gasoline as starting fl uid unless you want to lose
your eyebrows, and never grill indoors or in a tent or camper—carbon
monoxide is deadly. And all outdoor chefs—keep an ABC-rated fi re
extinguisher close at hand, just in case!
Snap, crackle, pop! We get our share of lightning storms here in
Idaho, and if you’re caught outside, avoid bodies of water, open areas,
high ground, and tall objects such as trees or light poles. If you’re
completely out in the open, crouch down with feet close together and
head down to present the smallest possible attraction to strikes. Stay
away from fences, wires, metal sheds and construction equipment...
they can be lightning magnets. The safest place to be is inside a large,
enclosed building (off the phone and away from conductors) where a
charge will be carried through pipes and wiring into the ground.
And when you’re on the road to whatever your summertime activities
may be…please drive defensively and always wear your seatbelt!
Have a safe and fun-fi lled summer!
28 The Guardian
Safely!