The Most Common Summer Injuries (And How to Prepare for Them)

The summer months are also known as "trauma season" in the emergency department, as there is often an uptick in injuries and "accidents" in the hot months. In this article, we'll discuss what some of these injuries are and how you can prepare for them.

Some of the most common summer injuries include water accidents, car collisions, playground mishaps, burns, falls, and incidents related to yardwork and outdoor play. In the summer months, many people are outside and moving around, and this raises the risk of injury. To prepare, it's wise to avoid high-risk activity and to have a first aid kit on hand.

Let's look at some of the summer's most common injuries a little closer - then we'll talk about how to prepare.

The Most Common Injuries in the Summertime (And How You Can Prepare For Them!)

When it comes to avoiding injuries, sometimes just knowing what's possible can get the job done. Knowledge is your friend. If you're walking in the jungle, you can't avoid falling into a hole unless you know the hole is there.

So we'll start by discussing some of the possibilities, and then we'll go into how you can prevent some of these things from happening.

Here is a list of common summer injuries:

• Water Accidents (Including Drowning)
• Car Collisions
• Playground Accidents
• Lawn Mower Injuries (Yardwork)
• Violence (Including Gunshots and Stabbing)
• Firework Injuries
• Grill Injuries (Don't Barbecue Yourself!)

Okay, there is our list! Now let's look at each one in more detail and then discuss what you can do to prevent these things from happening. Remember, there is no such thing as an accident. When something goes bad, there is almost always something or someone that could have been (sometimes, should have been) done to prevent it.

The Most Common Summer Injuries: Water Accidents (Including Drowning)

Water accidents are common in the summer because many people will flock to lakes and beaches for vacations. Some people are swimming, some people are on a boat, some people are in an innertube being pulled behind the boat. Whatever the context, things can go wrong.

First, you've got to be most cautious about drowning. Drowning is one of the leading dangers for young children! Always watch your children around the water. It only takes seconds for a child to get in a bad situation in the water, and by then it can be too late - because once they go under the water, it can become difficult to find them.

Second, things like diving accidents or collisions while tubing are common. I would caution anyone from diving in any water anywhere ever. It's just not worth it. Even if you know the water is deep enough, you don't know if someone else is swimming underwater.

Prevention: Anytime you're around the water, be extra cautious about drowning, falls, and boating injuries. These things are much more common than many people realize and being aware of that fact will keep people safer.

Now let's talk about another one.

The Most Common Summer Injuries: Car Collisions

Yes, car accidents can and do happen all year round, but there's a reason that they can be more common and more severe in the summertime.

Strangely, some of the worst car accidents happen on bright sunny days in the summer. The reason is twofold. First, many people are looking out their windows enjoying the sunshine, and second people are often driving a lot faster in the summertime.

There are a lot of fender-benders in the wintertime, but because many people are driving slower (due to ice and snow and sleet), these tend to be less severe.

Prevention: Be very cautious around intersections. In the summertime, it's very common for people to blow stop signs. Also, you need to really watch out for bikers and runners on the side of the road.

For those who ride motorcycles, just remember to always drive like nobody else can see you - because many of them can't. A helmet is always helpful in the case of a crash. Sure, you can still be injured in a bad crash while wearing a helmet, but not wearing a helmet can turn a minor crash into a severe one.

The Most Common Summer Injuries: Playground Accidents

Every time I go to the playground I'm surprised and say to myself: "They let kids play on this stuff without harnesses?!" We don't want to become too paranoid here, as it's nearly impossible to avoid playground; however, it is good to watch children and ensure they are playing on age-appropriate equipment.

Especially keep an eye on them near any major heights - some playgrounds don't have great railings around high slides. Others have rock walls that look like they should be saved for the Olympics - not a bunch of four-year-olds.

Prevention: Take your children to age-appropriate playgrounds. Before you let them play, take a walk around to inspect for any danger points - sure, it's a little helicopter-parent-ish, but we do what we have to do.

The Most Common Summer Injuries: Lawn Mower Injuries (Yardwork)

Lawn mowers and chainsaws have long been the stuff of horror novels and movies for a reason. Not only are these tools dangerous in themselves, but we are often using them on hot days - when we may be dehydrated.

Some people have flipped off riding lawn mowers while trying to work around hills, and some people accidentally slip their feet under the blades of push mowers. Not a good day. Not. At. All.

Prevention: Stay well hydrated while you're operating lawn mowers or dangerous machinery of any kind. Be especially careful while working around any kind of incline. That lawn mower isn't magic, and gravity is real - it will tip if you push it too far. Believe me, I've seen it.

The Most Common Summer Injuries: Violence (Including Gunshots and Stabbing)

The heat can make people mad. Hot, humid days have a way of making people angry. Beyond anger, it's a common thing (even historically) for violence to take place more frequently during the summer. If you think about this, it's understandable.

Summer is a more social time, with strangers coming into contact and more people traveling to new places. The result is that big hospitals will see more injuries related to violence. These injuries could be the result of a gunshot, a knife, or the oldest weapon in history: the human fist.

Prevention: The way to prevent violence - use your eyes and ears more than your mouth, keep in good shape so you can run, and generally avoid known crime areas. This one can be tricky, but you have to use your common sense and avoid those situations in the first place.

The Most Common Summer Injuries: Firework Injuries

Fireworks are very cool to watch, but they're not so cool when they blow up in your face. Unfortunately, there continues to be many firework injuries each year. These injuries come from a number of causes.

Of course, there are the obvious, such as burns from holding a sparkler too close to your face or hair. Then there are those times when the bottle rockets accidentally launch in the wrong direction, causing a mix of burns and bruising. Finally, there are those rare incidents when a lot of fireworks explode, causing a mix of burns, punctures, and general bomb-like injuries.

Prevention: be very careful with fireworks. The problems begin because many people think fireworks are generally harmless. This is not the case. Fireworks are mini-bombs and missiles and should be treated as such. Finally, never mix alcohol consumption with firework operation. This is a deadly combination.

The Most Common Summer Injuries: Grill Injuries (Don't Barbecue Yourself!)

Finally, it's great to get out there and barbecue, just make sure it's not your hand that gets covered in sauce and mistaken for a steak. Grills cause several injuries.

First, there are the burns. Just be mindful of your hands and ensure that children are careful around grills as well. Second, you've got to worry about things catching on fire that shouldn't be caught on fire. A grill that's left on or smoldering could cause a grass fire or potentially a house fire. Finally, never use any kind of grill indoors - this can cause carbon monoxide.

Prevention: Use the grill outside, wear good mitts, and don't ever leave a grill on and unattended.

Conclusion: Prevention is Much Better than Treatment

The summertime is a lot of fun. There's a lot of vacation, meeting new people, and time at the grill and the pool. Sadly, summer is also a time of injury. Be sure to take steps to ensure that you can spend more time on the beach, and less time in the emergency room.

For more safe summer education, take a few minutes to read this article on how to recognize and prevent heat-related illness.

Note: None of this article should be taken as medical advice. Also, please know that the list in this article is not exhaustive. If you've recently been involved in an accident or know someone is injured, seek professional medical care and call 911 if needed.