Start the Summer with
SUMMER SAFETY
During the summertime, we can’t wait to get out of the house!
“After more than 15 months of being cooped up due to COVID-19, it’s more
important than ever to get out and enjoy summertime,” says Daniel Yu, M.D., an
emergency care physician at Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center.
Here are four of the most common injuries seen in our emergency
departments and ways to prevent them:
Drowning
“We always worry about swimming-related accidents during the
summer months,” says Dr. Yu. “Parents and guardians should never be out of
reach of a child in the water – at home in the bathtub or at the pool or beach.”
Parents should also remember to empty wading pools and containers
of water after use – even coolers with melted ice and trash cans that have
collected rainwater present a risk for accidental drowning.
Falls and playground injuries
According to Dr. Yu, falls are the most common type of childhood injury
seen in the emergency department. As you take kids to the playground, here
are some things you can do to help make it a safe visit:
• Make sure your child’s clothing is free of drawstrings, which can get
tangled in playground equipment.
• Check the play area for safety hazards, such as rusty or broken
equipment and uneven surfaces; playgrounds that are well maintained
pose fewer safety risks.
• Ensure your child is wearing proper footwear and that the shoes are
securely fastened.
Bicycle injuries
Helmets save lives and provide the best protection against brain injury.
“Before you and your family go out for a bike ride, keep the following safety
tips in mind,” Dr. Yu recommends. “Always wear a helmet, keep both hands
Household injuries
Because we are home now more than ever due to COVID-19, household
accidents are on the rise.
“Scan your home for potentially dangerous items for your families, such
slippery surfaces,” Dr. Yu advises.
Do not rely on a window screen to prevent falls; keep your windows
locked and consider installing window guards or a device to prevent the
window from opening more than 4 inches. You should also make sure your
furniture is properly anchored to the wall, that your furniture doesn’t obstruct
where you walk, and that you make sure to have non-slip rugs and shoes.
When an accident happens
Do not delay care. When unsure about the seriousness of a medical
condition, Dr. Yu recommends seeking medical attention. “It’s best to let the
experts evaluate the severity of a situation,” says Dr. Yu. “If it turns out to
be nothing, you’ve lost a little time at the beach or playing outside. If it’s
something worse, you could have potentially saved a life.”
Dr. Robert H. Harris Emergency Care Center
On July 22, Bayshore Medical Center will open our new state-of-the-art
Dr. Robert H. Harris Emergency Care Center. The 32,000- square-foot project
will greatly increase its capacity to treat patients with emergent needs in a
comfortable and private environment.
COMING SOON
TO YOUR
COMMUNITY.
Dr. Robert H. Harris Emergency Care
Center at Bayshore Medical Center.
Learn more at
BayshoreMedicalCenter.org/Emergency
BMC-3094_ED21-Ad_8.25 x 4.875-Journal.indd 1 2/17/21 5:46 PM
/Emergency