NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — Summertime has hit with  triple-digit temperatures likely to remain through August. There are many summer safety tips people must keep in mind to ensure they have a safe, fun and enjoyable summer with family, loved ones and friends.
Below are some tips to keep in mind to make the most the summer without suffering the effects of the hot weather.
Avoid prolonged outdoor activities during the heat of the day. If you must participate in outdoor activities during the extreme heat, ensure you drink plenty of fluids, preferably water, and avoid alcohol use. If you are thirsty, you are already showing the first signs of dehydration. Always use sunscreen or sun block and reapply to avoid being sunburned. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing to help to keep cool. Finally, take frequent breaks in a shaded area or inside buildings to help keep your body temperature down.
Never leave children or pets in vehicles. It happens every year in Las Vegas and can be deadly. Temperatures inside a vehicle can reach extreme temperatures very quickly and cause serious harm or death to a pet or a child. Call and report any children or pets you see in an unattended vehicle to local law enforcement officials.
Summer is the perfect time to fire up the barbecue grill and enjoy a meal with friends and loved ones. However, keep these safety tips in mind while doing so.
Barbecue grills are not allowed in apartments except on the ground floor. They must be a minimum of 10 feet from any building and not under an overhang or balcony. To help prevent flare-ups and flames, keep your grill clean by removing grease and fat buildup from the cooking surface and trays below. Always keep children and pets away from the grilling area. Use the correct lighter fluid to start the charcoal grill, and never use gasoline as the lighter fluid. Ensure the coals have cooled completely before disposing of them in a metal container.
Swimming is a great way to help keep cool in the summertime. Remember the “ABCDs†of pool safety: A – adult supervision, never leave a child unattended in or around a pool.  B – barriers for your pool, have a fence around your pool and keep gates, doors, or any other access to the pool area closed and locked. C – classes like swimming lessons and CPR classes. D – devices have personal floatation devices like life jackets, and rescue tools available for use if needed.
If your summer festivities include fireworks, ensure you use only Safe-N-Sane fireworks. Safe-N-Sane fireworks are fireworks that don’t fly or explode. Examples include fountains, sparkers, wheels, smoke and snake items, and novelty fireworks that don’t travel. Fireworks, to include sparklers, should only be handled and used by adults, and use fireworks on flat, dry surfaces, away from grass, weeds, trees, buildings and vehicles. Always have a bucket of water and a water hose nearby in case of an emergency.
The summer season in southern Nevada also brings the monsoon season and the chance of flash floods. It can rain and flood in a matter of minutes here. Be aware it may not be raining at your location; however, flash floods can occur. Don’t attempt to drive through any flooded areas because cars could be swept away by running water only a few inches deep. Remember the popular saying “Turnaround; don’t drownâ€.
If summer safety tips are followed everyone can have a fun summer. For more information about summer safety call (7020) 652-7602.
