Risks of Lightning

High on the list of activities where people are injured by lightning are mountain hiking, climbing, camping, fishing, boating, and golfing.

• Drop metal objects like golf clubs, tennis rackets, umbrellas, and packs with internal or external metal frames.

• Get off bicycles, motorcycles, horses ,and golf carts. Metal bleachers at sports events, fences, and utility poles are also to be avoided.

• If you are caught in an open field, seek a low spot. Crouch with your feet together and head low.

• If Someone Is Struck-People who have been hit by lightning carry no electric charge and can be safely tended to. If the person is not breathing, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. But if a pulse is absent as well, begin CPR. Stay with the victim until help arrives.

• Don't return to an open area too soon. People have been struck by lightning near the end of a storm, which is still a dangerous time.

• Swimmers, anglers, and boaters should get off lakes or rivers and seek shelter when storms approach.

Playground Safety

Keep your child SAFE at the playground with the following tips:

Supervision is present but
strings and ropes aren't.
Adult presence is needed to watch for potential hazards, observe, intercede and facilitate play when necessary. Strings on clothing or ropes used for play can cause accidental strangulation if caught on equipment.

All children play on Age-appropriate equipment.
Preschoolers, ages 2-5, and children ages 5-12, are developmentally different and need different equipment located in separate areas to keep the playground safe and fun for all.

Falls to surface are cushioned.
Nearly 70 percent of all playground injuries are related to falls to the surface. Acceptable surfaces include hardwood fiber/mulch, pea gravel, sand and synthetic materials such as poured-in-place, rubber mats or tiles. Play-ground surfaces should not be concrete, asphalt, grass, blacktop, packed dirt or rocks.

Equipment is safe.
Check to make sure the equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all equipment pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed, bolts are not protruding, there are no exposed footings, etc.

Source: www.playgroundsafety.org and USDA Forest Service Website

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