Summer Safety Tips

Living on Long Island provides all of us with some great opportunities to enjoy all that the summer season has to offer.  From Jones Beach to the lighthouse in Montauk, we have some of the greatest beaches and recreational areas in the state and I urge you to take advantage of all Long Island has to offer.

As you get ready to enjoy all that our region and state has to offer, I wanted to provide you with some important summer safety information to make sure that the summer is safe for all involved.  These easy-to-follow tips from experts are designed to prepare for almost any situation and I hope you will take advantage of them.

Please have a safe and enjoyable summer.

                                                                                                                                 Sincerely yours,

                                                                                                                                 Senator John Flanagan

•         Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.
•         Read and obey all rules and posted signs.
•         Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water.
•         Watch out for the dangerous “too’s” – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
•         Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep).
•         Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth changes, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located. The more informed you are, the more aware you will be of hazards and safe practices.
•         Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
•         Use a feet-first entry when entering the water.
•         Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.
•         Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.
•         Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.

Pool Safety Information from the American Academy of Pediatrics

A swimming pool can be very dangerous for children. If possible, do not put a swimming pool in your yard until your children are older than 5 years. Help protect your children from drowning by doing the following:

•         Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. An adult who knows CPR should actively supervise children at all times.
•         Practice touch supervision with children younger than 5 years. This means that the adult is within an arm's length of the child at all times.
•         You must put up a fence to separate your house from the pool. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all 4 sides of the pool. This fence will completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children's reach.
•         Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd's hook or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.
•         Do not use air-filled "swimming aids" as a substitute for approved life vests.
•         Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren't tempted to reach for them.
•         After the children are done swimming, secure the pool so they can't get back into it.
•         A power safety cover that meets the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) may add to the protection of your children but should not be used in place of the fence between your house and the pool. Even fencing around your pool and using a power safety cover will not prevent all drownings.
•         Remember, teaching your child how to swim DOES NOT mean your child is safe in water. 

Important Safety Tips from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

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Home Pool Safety Information from the American Red Cross

•         Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim--this includes adults and children. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a course to learn or improve your ability to swim, contact your local Red Cross chapter.
•         Never leave a child unobserved around water. Your eyes must be on the child at all times. Adult supervision is recommended.
•         Install a phone by the pool or keep a cordless phone nearby so that you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
•         Learn Red Cross CPR and insist that babysitters, grandparents, and others who care for your child know CPR.
•         Post CPR instructions and 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.
•         Enclose the pool completely with a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars. Openings in the fence should be no more than four inches wide. The house should not be included as a part of the barrier.
•         The gate should be constructed so that it is self-latching and self-closing. 
•         Never leave furniture near the fence that would enable a child to climb over the fence.
•         Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it. Pole, rope, and personal flotation devices (PFDs) are recommended.
•         Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool.
•         Pool covers should always be completely removed prior to pool use.
•         If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area

Waterpark Safety from the American Red Cross

•         Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim--this includes adults and children. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact your local Red Cross chapter.
•         Be sure the area is well supervised by lifeguards before you or others in your group enter the water.  Read all posted signs. Follow the rules and directions given by lifeguards. Ask questions if you are not sure about a correct procedure.
•         When you go from one attraction to another, note that the water depth may be different and that the attraction should be used in a different way.
•         Before you start down a water slide, get in the correct position -- face up and feet first.
•         Some facilities provide life jackets at no charge. If you cannot swim, wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Check others in your group as well.

Swimming Pool Regulations from the New York State Department of State

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Hiking and Camping Safety from the American Red Cross

Hiking and camping provide exercise and interest for people of any age. Just getting out and walking around is a wonderful way to see nature. Since unexpected things happen, however, the best way to help guarantee a good time for all is to plan ahead carefully and follow commonsense safety precautions.

If you have any medical conditions, discuss your plans with your health care provider and get approval before departing.

Review the equipment, supplies and skills that you'll need. Consider what emergencies could arise and how you would deal with those situations. What if you got lost, or were unexpectedly confronted by an animal? What if someone became ill or injured? What kind of weather might you encounter? Add to your hiking checklist the supplies you would need to deal with these situations.

Make sure you have the skills you need for your camping or hiking adventure. You may need to know how to read a compass, erect a temporary shelter or give first aid.

Practice your skills in advance.

If your trip will be strenuous, get into good physical condition before setting out. If you plan to climb or travel to high altitudes, make plans for proper acclimatization to the altitude.

It's safest to hike or camp with at least one companion. If you'll be entering a remote area, your group should have a minimum of four people; this way, if one is hurt, another can stay with the victim while two go for help. If you'll be going into an area that is unfamiliar to you, take along someone who knows the area or at least speak with those who do before you set out.

Some areas require you to have reservations or certain permits. If an area is closed, do not go there. Find out in advance about any regulations--there may be rules about campfires or guidelines about wildlife.

Pack emergency signaling devices, and know ahead of time the location of the nearest telephone or ranger station in case an emergency does occur on your trip.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with a responsible person. Include such details as the make, year, and license plate of your car, the equipment you're bringing, the weather you've anticipated and when you plan to return.

Get trained in first aid before starting out.  Contact your local Red Cross chapter for a Community First Aid and Safety course.

What you take will depend on where you are going and how long you plan to be away, but any backpack should include the following: 

•         Candle and matches
•         Cell phone
•         Clothing (always bring something warm, extra socks and rain gear)
•         Compass
•         First aid kit
•         Food (bring extra)
•         Flashlight
•         Foil (to use as a cup or signaling device)
•         Hat
•         Insect repellent
•         Map
•         Nylon filament
•         Pocket knife
•         Pocket mirror (to use as a signaling device)
•         Prescription glasses (an extra pair)
•         Prescription medications for ongoing medical conditions
•         Radio with batteries
•         Space blanket or a piece of plastic (to use for warmth or shelter)
•         Sunglasses
•         Sunscreen
•         Trash bag (makes an adequate poncho)
•         Water
•         Waterproof matches or matches in a waterproof tin
•         Water purification tablets
•         Whistle (to scare off animals or to use as a signaling device)

Always allow for bad weather and for the possibility that you may be forced to spend a night outdoors unexpectedly.

It's a good idea to assemble a separate "survival pack" for each hiker to have at all times. In a small waterproof container, place a pocket knife, compass, whistle, space blanket, nylon filament, water purification tablets, matches and candle. With these items, the chances of being able to survive in the wild are greatly improved.

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Boater Safety Information

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD - FLOTILLA based in Stony Brook

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

UNITED STATES COAST GUARY BOATING SAFETY RESOURCE CENTER

UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRON: Organized in 1914, USPS is a non profit, educational organization dedicated to making boating safer and more enjoyable by teaching classes in seamanship, navigation and related subjects.

TO FIND THE POWER SQUADRON CLOSEST TO YOU

UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRON BOATING SAFETY TEST

The following information is from the Water Safety Page of the American Red Cross
•         Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any boating activity. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

•         Alcohol and boating don't mix. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination -- over 50 percent of drownings result from boating incidents involving alcohol. For the same reasons it is dangerous to operate an automobile while under the influence of alcohol, people should not operate a boat while drinking alcohol.

•         Look for the label: Use Coast Guard-approved life jackets for yourself and your passengers when boating and fishing.

•         Develop a float plan. Anytime you go out in a boat, give a responsible person details about where you will be and how long you will be gone. This is important because if the boat is delayed because of an emergency, becomes lost, or encounters other problems, you want help to be able to reach you.

•         Find a boating course in your area (U.S. Power Squadron, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Sailing, etc) -- these courses teach about navigation rules, emergency procedures and the effects of wind, water conditions, and weather.

Watch the weather: Know local weather conditions and prepare for electrical storms.

Watch local news programs. Stop boating as soon as you see or hear a storm.

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Staying Safe During Hot Summer Days
This information can be used to protect you, your family and your neighbors.

Health officials are advising New Yorkers to be on the lookout for symptoms of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn and heat rash. Anyone is susceptible to heat-stress, but those who are at greatest risk include:

-Infants and children up to four years of age are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.

-People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature.

-People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.

-People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.

-People who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.

-Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

Stages of Heat-Related Illness (from the American Red Cross) - Heat-related illness usually comes in stages. The signal of the first stage is heat cramps in muscles. These cramps can be very painful.

If you are caring for a person who has heat cramps, have him or her stop activity and rest. If the person is fully awake and alert, have him or her drink small amounts of cool water or a commercial sports drink. Gently stretch the cramped muscle and hold the stretch for about 20 seconds, then gently massage the muscle. Repeat these steps if necessary.

If the victim has no other signals of heat-related illness, the person may resume activity after the cramps stop.

The signals of the next, more serious stage of a heat-related illness (often called heat exhaustion) include--

-Cool, moist, pale skin (the skin may be red right after physical activity).

-Headache.

-Dizziness and weakness or exhaustion.

-Nausea.

-The skin may or may not feel hot.

The signals of the late stage of a heat-related illness (often called heat stroke) include--

-Vomiting.

-Decreased alertness level or complete loss of consciousness.

-High body temperature (sometimes as high as 105oF).

-Skin may still be moist or the victim may stop sweating and the skin may be red, hot and dry.

-Rapid, weak pulse.

-Rapid, shallow breathing.

This late stage of a heat-related illness is life threatening. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

Here are some tips to protect yourself and those you care about:

Drinking Plenty of Fluids -- Increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. Avoid alcohol and sugar-saturated drinks.

Replacing Salt and Minerals -- Constant sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. If you're outdoors or exercising replace your fluids w/ two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. However, if you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.

Wear Appropriate Clothing and Sunscreen -- Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. In addition to pain and skin damage, sunburn disrupts your body's ability to cool itself and causes a loss of body fluids. If you're outdoors, wear a brimmed hat, sunglasses, and put on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. Reapply it according to the package directions.

Schedule Outdoor Activities Carefully -- If you're outdoors, pace yourself. Try limiting your activity to morning and evening hours. Look for shaded areas to keep cool. Stop activity when your heart pounds, you begin gasping, or feel faint or nauseous.

Stay Cool Indoors -- Stay indoors in an air-conditioned area whenever possible. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a public area that does (shopping mall, public library) A few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area. While electric fans may provide comfort, when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. A cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a better bet. Limit the stove and oven use to keep a cooler temperature in your home.

Use a Buddy System -- When you're out in the heat, watch the condition of your companions and have someone do the same for you. If you're 65 years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on you twice a day during a heat wave. If you know someone in this age group, check on them at least twice a day.

Don't leave the vulnerable in cars! -- Even in cool temperatures, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. Even with the windows cracked, interior temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes. Unattended children and pets are at risk for serious heat-related illnesses or even death.

Remember, even young and healthy individuals can succumb to heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather. Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death.

DUE TO THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN ELECTRICITY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, PLEASE USE THE TIPS BELOW TO STAY COOL AND CONSERVE ENERGY:

-Close blinds or shades on sunny windows, but open windows to take advantage of natural ventilation when conditions permit – especially during cool morning or evening hours.

-Set the air-conditioning thermostat just a few degrees higher. Each degree above 75° F saves you 3 percent of the energy used to cool your home.

-Turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas.

-Run household appliances such as dishwasher and dryers at "off-peak" (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters.

-Keep doors closed when it is hotter outside than inside. Open them up again in the evening or morning when it is cooler outside.

-Turn it off – Save electricity and reduce waste heat by shutting off lights and home electronics, especially computers, while not in use. Televisions, cable television boxes, computers, cell phone chargers and other electronics give off far more waste heat than you might imagine.

Install Your Air Conditioner Correctly with Tips from NYSERDA
 
Don’t Let Your Hard Work and Cool Air Go Out the Window
 
As the temperature outside starts to heat up, you might be getting ready to install room air conditioners (AC) to cool your home. Before you do, read these tips from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), so your hard work – and cool air – won’t go out the window.
 
First, if you’re buying a new room AC, be sure to select an ENERGY STAR®-qualified model, which will save you more than $100 in energy costs over the lifetime of the unit.
 
Installing your room AC unit correctly can save a bundle in energy costs, too. In fact, in a report issued on April 14 by Urban Green (a chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council), researchers found that the average room air conditioner leaks as much air as a six-square-inch hole in the wall. Aptly titled There Are Holes in Our Walls, the report states that each poorly fitted and poorly sealed unit leaves a gap “about the size of your fist if you punched a hole in the wall.”
 
NYSERDA recommends the following tips to keep the cool air in your house when using a room AC unit:
 
Seal the unit’s top and bottom: Since most portable air conditioners are installed in an open window, the window must be lowered onto the top of the unit. Even if it looks like the window is tightly closed, there is usually a space between the unit and the window where air is leaking. Use a foam strip to insulate the gap where the two sashes meet.
o   Home improvement stores sell kits to insulate your AC unit, which include foam rubber strips that squeeze into small spaces for a snug fit.
o   Hardware stores sell foam insulation for pipes, usually in the plumbing section, which reduces “sweating” of the pipes in summer. These are usually available in various lengths, but you’ll only need 3-4 ft. Be sure to buy the insulation for a 2-inch pipe, approximately the same size as the bottom edge of a window. Open the insulation where it is split and push it along the bottom of the window.
Check the sides: When you expand the accordian-like sides on the AC unit, be sure they are not cracked or split, and that they fit snugly. Replacement units are available at most hardware stores.
 
Don’t forget the area between the upper and lower sash: Be sure to insert foam insulation in the space that is left when your window is open.
 
NYSERDA recommends these additional tips to maximize the operation of your window-type AC unit:
 
Size it up: A properly sized air conditioner will operate more efficiently and dehumidify more effectively.
Stir it up: Run ceiling paddle fans on medium, blowing down, in summer.
Close it up: Close shades and drapes during the day to help keep heat out in summer.
Clean it up: Remove and clean the AC air filter monthly.
Seal it up: Keep “fresh air” vents closed on window AC units.
 
When your air-conditioning unit is snug in its window, don’t neglect the other places in your home where cold air could escape. Use caulk to seal other windows and doors.

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What You Should Know About: Sun Protection, Lyme Disease and the West Nile Virus

With warmer weather now here, everyone wants to be outdoors. So once again, it’s time for a short health reminder regarding sunscreen, deer ticks and Lyme disease, the best methods for eliminating mosquitoes near your home, as well as how to protect you and your family from the West Nile Virus ("WNV"). With a few simple precautions and a watchful eye, you and your family can feel free to hike, fish, camp or just enjoy a backyard barbecue. I hope you find this article useful, and if you have any questions or concerns on any of this information, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. Have a safe, fun and bug-free summer!

Sun Protection

Whether working in the garden, mowing the lawn or swimming at the beach, it’s easy to forget the dangers of prolonged exposure to the sun. Most people wear sunscreen when participating in outdoor activities in the summer, however, experts recommend using sunscreen on a daily basis. Sunscreens containing a skin protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher are suggested to protect against harmful burns, which can contribute to skin cancer. Make sure to apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before being exposed to the sun, as this maximizes the effectiveness of the sunscreen. Always drink plenty of liquids, whether working or playing, and it’s never a bad idea to wear a hat to keep the sun off your face.

The summer is a great time to enjoy the rays. But remember, there can be too much of a good thing.

Lyme Disease: Protect Yourself Outdoors

Last year, there were over 5,500 cases of Lyme disease reported in New York State, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With the proper information, we can reduce these numbers and ensure that those who do contract the disease find and receive treatment as soon as possible.

Lyme disease is an infection resulting from the bite of a certain species of tick, primarily the deer tick. The deer tick is black and very small, about the size of a sesame seed. These ticks are found throughout New York State, inhabiting woods, brush and fields. Humans contract Lyme disease when the infection goes undetected and develops into much more serious health problems. So, early detection is very important!

The presence of Lyme disease is usually noticed well after the bite. Within a few days, or even weeks, a distinctive red "bull’s eye" rash appearsthat is at least two inches in diameter. A variety of flu-like symptoms may then ensue, including headaches, fatigue, pain in the knees and joints, fever and chills. The symptoms will subside without medication, but the disease remains active and can potentially worsen into meningitis, encephalitis, facial palsy, heart problems, and later, arthritis. The longer the time between infection and treatment, the more difficult the disease is to remedy.

Generally, ticks do not fly or jump onto their victims but prefer to wait on vegetation and cling to humans or animals as they brush past. While there is no fool-proof method of avoiding ticks when in an infested area, there are several steps you and your family can take to reduce your risks. These include:

1. Staying to the center of trails and paths and not brushing against vegetation if you can help it.
2. Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Also, tucking the legs of your pants into socks or boots. All this helps prevent ticks from reaching your skin.
3. Wearing light colored or tightly woven clothing so it’s easier to see ticks.
4. Using an insect repellent, but sparingly and with caution, especially regarding repellents containing DEET. Follow all label instructions carefully.
5. Checking yourself, your children and your pets frequently, as the tick’s bite isn’t painful and the tick in most cases drops off before anyone notices its presence.
6. People are at low risk of tick bite from November to March; moderate risk during April and October; and at high risk from May through September.

Mosquito-Borne Diseases: West Nile Virus

Recently, New York faced a public health situation when several cases of the West Nile Virus (WNV) were reported in our area. Now, as a community, we must face the possibility that WNV will likely return throughout the state this year and prepare accordingly.

The primary transmitter of WNV is the Culex pipiens mosquito, which acquires the virus when it bites an infected bird. If the same mosquito bites a human, the virus can pass to that person. The danger surrounding the Culex is that a mosquito born in late summer can hibernate through the winter and emerge the next spring to begin the cycle anew.

Although the chances of an individual contracting WNV are extremely slim, there are some measures that you and your family can take to protect yourselves both outdoors and indoors. For instance, several methods of reducing mosquito breeding near your house include:

1. Draining standing water from and removing any sort of outside containers where Culex may breed, such as tires, flowerpots, birdbaths, wheelbarrows, garbage cans or carts.

2. Cleaning rain gutters and removing old leaves to avoid standing water.

3. Clipping tall grasses and weeds near the house or wherever people use the yard, as Culex like to hide in tall grass or brush near inhabited areas.

There are other methods to avoid being bitten by Culex mosquitoes, such as: Wearing long pants and long-sleeve shirts when outdoors at dusk and dawn, the time when Culex is most active.

1. Using window and door screens, and making sure the screens are in good repair so mosquitoes can’t slip into the house through holes or tears.

2. Using insect repellents, especially products containing the pesticide DEET. As with all pesticides, follow instructions carefully and avoid as much as possible prolonged or daily use.

You are not alone in your preparations against the possibility of a WNV reoccurrence. Recently, the NYS Health Department formulated the New York State West Nile Virus Response Plan to respond, manage and minimize any threat related to WNV. The strategy focuses on the use of larvacides to eradicate overwintering Culex before they are grown and capable of transmitting the disease.

If adult mosquitoes are found carrying WNV, then an aerial pesticide spraying program will be instituted. If you are worried for your family’s health during aerial or truck spraying, here are some things you can do to minimize any possible health risks from pesticide application.

1. Keep windows and doors closed during spraying, and if possible, turn off window air-conditioners.
2. Keep children, pets and yourself indoors during spraying, until the next morning if possible.

Bring in outdoor furniture, toys, pet dishes or tools and thoroughly rinse off anything that wasn’t covered.

Finally, while in some instances WNV can cause encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain tissue) or meningitis, the occurrence is rare. Symptoms may include high fever, headache and body aches, skin rash, swollen lymph glands, neck stiffness, disorientation and convulsions. If you experience a combination of these symptoms, call or see a doctor immediately.

LONG ISLAND CONVENTION AND VISITOR'S BUREAU