Date Authored: August 10, 2022

Summer safety issues include heat-related illnesses, sun exposure, water safety concerns, and use of fireworks or concern about fire. Extremely hot weather can cause sickness or even death. View links to resources in different languages and formats, on these and other summer safety topics.

(cc license Lim Andruska)

Heat

As summer temperatures rise into the upper 80’s and mid 90’s it is important to take precautions. Hospitals see an increase of people with heat stroke and also heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure on hot days.

People who are highest at risk for serious health problems in the heat include:

  • People who have medical conditions or take medications that make it harder to regulate body temperature. Encourage people to talk to their healthcare providers to see if their conditions or medications put them at higher risk
  • People age 65 and older
  • Outdoor workers
  • Children

How to stay safe in the heat:

  • Drink water frequently, even if you’re not thirsty.
  • NEVER leave children, pets, or people with limited mobility in a parked car, not even for a minute! Cars get dangerously hot in seconds!
  • Limit the time you spend in direct sunlight as much as possible. Take breaks in the shade to cool off.
  • If you get hot at home, if possible, spend time in places with air-conditioning, like malls, a “cooling center” set up in cities around King County, movie theaters (if you’re vaccinated), or a friend’s home if they have air-conditioning. Playing in fountains, wading pools, and sprinklers can also help cool you down. Wear a mask in public indoor places, even if you’re vaccinated, to protect from highly contagious COVID variants.
  • Take a cool shower or bath, or place cool washcloths on your skin.
  • Check up on your elderly neighbors and relatives.
  • Employers should plan for frequent breaks and plenty of water for outdoor workers to prevent heat illnesses.
  • More tips and information in multiple languages at kingcounty.gov/beattheheat
    – Illustrated Information about how to recognize heat exhaustion & heat stroke: English, Spanish
    – “Stay Safe in the Heat” comic strip: English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

Water Safety

Some people turn to local rivers to cool off, but drowning is a real concern. Please use caution and wear a personal flotation device (PFD) on the water. Find deals on affordable lifejackets. And if you want to swim, choose a safer location – visit a local pool or lifeguarded beach instead.

Summer Resources