6 Killers in Your Backyard

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Sweet, the summer has finally made it! The patio is set, the grill is warmed up for BBQ meals, the lawn looks fabulous, and the fun plans are set in place for a party. Are we really prepared for the potential hazards? Not to sound like a downer, but there are many dangers that do lurk behind summer backyard fun, and it could potentially kill you. Lightening, pesticides, animal waste, heatstroke and food poisoning are a few matters that need to be addressed. There are even injuries you would not even think about, like getting injured from your lawn mower from wearing open-toed shoes. Hands and toes can get cut in the blades and if dirt gets into the cut, it could lead to a trip to the hospital. We don’t want to have a summer that we regret. If we take the extra precautions, and are aware of the risks we can avoid these disasters.

Dog Waste

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Your pet could pose a danger to you this summer. It is going to get real and pretty gross, ready? Dog waste can be toxic to you and kill the lawn fresh or old. There are over 23 million kinds of bacteria in dog poop and parasites like tapeworm and round worm. It can cause serious disorders in people such as kidney damage, stomach cramps, diarrhea and cause E. coli poisoning. The news gets worse according to the Huffington Post! If not picked up, the waste will contaminate the water. “In addition to releasing nutrients into the water that can feed on algae and kill marine life, excrement contamination can also send unlucky beach-goers home with bouts of diarrhea or hives. The Washington State Department of Ecology has studied the local sources of pollutants and linked higher counts of fecal coliform — an indicator for the potential presence of harmful pathogens — to residential compared to commercial areas.” Scoop the poop.

Heatstroke

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Many people suffer from heat stroke in summer due to dehydration. It is the most serious injury from the there is that pushes the body temperature to 104 degrees or more. While sweating helps the body cool down, many times it will not be enough. The organs start to suffer, and the body’s cells start dying. People will start to feel light-headed, become dizzy, and may faint. When this happens the intestines can release harmful bacteria into the blood. According to Time, “dehydration reduces blood flow and prevents blood from getting to organs like the kidney or the brain, leaving them with significant cell damage. Finally, these organs will start to shut down, causing further trauma. And from there a whole slew of negative medical effects take hold.” This can be prevented by making sure you drink plenty of water, and notice the signs. Don’t wait to see if it is heatstroke--go to the emergency room immediately.

Ticks

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Keep an eye out for ticks as they do cause Lyme disease. Ticks are the size of a poppy seed and people overlook them. There are over 30,000 cases of Lyme disease reported every year, and they are most prominent during the summer months. Make sure to keep the lawn short, remove leaf litter, and remove brush where the ticks can hide, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention said. You can avoid tick bites, according to Everyday Heath. Check for ticks regularly. "Look all over for the small little tick, which may be raised on your skin, and keep an eye out for the bull’s eye rash that may signal the start of the infection. If you’re experiencing symptoms, including the rash or exhaustion, or if you’ve removed a tick from your skin, see your doctor.” Also spray the yard to prevent ticks, and wear longer sleeves if in a wooded area for added protection. Check yourself after walking in high grass or hiking.

The Sun

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Watch overdoing the sun this summer or the sun in general. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommended “that everyone have a physician perform a skin exam each year--a visual, whole-body examination that can spot early signs of skin cancer. Your primary care doctor can perform this exam at your annual checkup, a dermatologist also can do it, and is particularly well trained to perform a skin exam.” To avoid a bad health report, make sure you wear sunscreen and light-weight clothes to cover the body. You don’t want to deal with first-degree burns or be put at risk for melanoma. Use sun block that protects from both UVB and UVA rays. It is very easy to get sunburn from falling asleep outside, standing directly in the sun, and being outdoors. Sometimes we don’t realize how much sun we’re exposed to. Make the effort to protect yourself from the sun this summer, even if you think it is safe.

Bee Stings

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If you’re allergic to bees or other insects make sure you have a dose of epinephrine handy with you at all times. Keep an EpiPen to prevent a severe allergic reaction, or Benadryl handy. The signs of an allergic reaction to a bee sting will involve dizziness, hives, swelling of the throat, lips, and tongue. Wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, avoid wearing perfumes, cover trash bins, and wear gloves when doing yard work. Since over six million people are allergic to bees. “Try to remove the stinger immediately. It contains venom and will release it into your body for several seconds after it goes in. Scrape a fingernail across the stinger to help remove it from your skin. Clean the area with soap and water. If you only have a reaction at the sting site, a cold compress or an ice pack should be enough treatment,” WebMD suggested.

Food Poisoning

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Ready to eat? The warm weather is a great time to eat outdoors, and enjoy the fresh air. Since this is a piece on warning you of the dangers of summer. We need to address food poisoning during our gatherings with others when the temperatures reach 90 degrees or more. Food will spoil very quickly in the heat and there can be tons of cross contamination! The CDC reported that "1 in 6 Americans will get food poisoning of some kind each year. This results in 128,000 hospitalizations and about 3,000 deaths. The warm weather in the summer makes your food the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Place dairy products in ice and store meat properly,” the Huffington Post offered. “Store raw meat in your fridge in containers to keep them separate from other foods and prevent their juices from contaminating your fridge with bacteria. Raw meat, poultry, and seafood should be refrigerated or frozen within two hours, and freeze raw meat if you don’t plan to use it within two or three days after purchase.” If you are not sure, don't eat it. Stick to vegetables, or foods that don't spoil.