Staying Safe in the Summer: Advice from General Surgeons

Surgery in the summer is not enjoyable for anyone, but accidents can happen, health concerns may arise, and we can’t put off important medical procedures based on the season. We often see a rise in emergency surgeries as the weather gets warmer and people engage in outdoor activities such as boating, biking, and 4-wheeling, which can lead to more accidents. This summer, stay safe with these tips and know our surgeons are at your side when an emergency (or elective) surgery is needed.

Water Safety

Summers revolve around water. Swimming pools, lake days, river floats, beach vacations, we crave the cool reprieve of water in the summer, but it does not come without risks. Water safety is critical for everyone. When around water, follow general safety tips such as always keeping a close eye on children, wearing a life jacket, learning how to swim properly, and never going into the water alone. As an adult, stay safe by never drinking and driving a boat (or vehicle), wearing a life jacket for watersports, and being able to perform CPR.

Fire & Fireworks

Knowing the basics of fire safety is the difference between an enjoyable evening and a traumatic injury. During your camping trips this summer, never use gasoline as a campfire accelerant, supervise children closely (including when using fire pits and barbecues), and ensure fires are completely put out before going to bed for the night. Additionally, use caution with fireworks – even after the 4^th of July. Fireworks are dangerous and can cause serious injury to people’s hands and faces when not handled properly. Finally, never handle fireworks if you’ve been drinking.

Protective Wear

For any summer activity, there is a level of protection that comes along with it, from seatbelts to helmets. Your risk of injury dramatically decreases if you wear a helmet on a bike, motorcycle, or ATV. Protective eyewear, padding, mouthguards, properly fitted helmets, and sun protection are all examples of protective wear to keep you safe during any outdoor sport or activity this summer and can greatly reduce your risk of serious injury.

Prioritizing Your Health

Summer is no time to put your health on the back burner. Don’t put off important procedures such as hernia repairs and other elective surgeries that improve your physical well-being in the long run. Luckily, Wyoming Surgical Associates can help you skip an ER visit in the summer for certain elective surgeries, including hernia repair, gallbladder removal, or appendectomy. Our team will coordinate the appropriate imaging and diagnostic testing, and, if surgery is needed, get you scheduled quickly with our skilled surgeons, so you can get back to enjoying summer.

All it takes is one quick mistake for a major injury. The good news is that many summer accidents are preventable. The better news is that if an accident occurs, our surgeons at Wyoming Surgical Associates are highly skilled and experienced in emergency surgery and trauma response in the operating room. This summer, we encourage you to take precautions to avoid injury that requires emergency surgery; however, accidents happen, and our skilled surgeons are here to provide the best care possible.