Increased Cases of Injuries Reported During Summer

May 27--Earlier this month, a gust of wind in New York lifted an inflatable bounce house off the ground and sent it soaring across the sky, dropping three children 15 to 20 feet below as it ascended.

Bounce house-related injuries have increased "rapidly" in recent years, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics. But, odds are, a summertime mishap will more likely involve the sun, something with wheels, insects or water.

"The most common things we see in the nice weather are accidents and injuries," said Dr. Stevan Vuckovic, acting medical director of the Department of Emergency Medicine and EMS medical director at Franciscan St. Anthony Health hospital in Crown Point.

Those incidents tend to occur when people fall off a bike, roller skates or skateboard and are not wearing a helmet or appropriate padding and wrist guards.

"We have beautiful trails in Lake County you can enjoy," he said. "Keep safety in mind when you're trying to cross over traffic."

Heat injuries are also common. People who don't properly hydrate and expose themselves to the heat can dehydrate quickly. The very young and very old are most vulnerable, he said.

"Especially when it gets oppressively hot by the end of the summer," Vuckovic said.

While late summer is prime time for mosquito bites, summer picnics tend to attract bees, wasps and hornets. The key is not to make sudden movements, he said.

"Stings will happen," he said.

They are mainly uncomfortable, but if there is a fever, swelling or signs of breathing trouble, immediate medical attention is needed.

Ticks are a year-round threat, but with people venturing outside in the warm weather, they may be more likely to encounter deer ticks, which can carry Lyme disease. Doing a daily body scan for ticks can reduce the chance of becoming ill, according to Tick Encounter Resource Center.

Bodies of water can be deadly without using common sense and paying attention, especially to children.

"It doesn't take long for people to drown or have a near-drowning experience," Vuckovic said. "Even a creek that can be innocuous. It seems like every year we have someone drown in a lake or a pool. It's totally preventable."

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources issued boat safety tips to Hoosiers, including reminding people to wear a life jacket, never sit on the sides or bow decking of a motorboat in motion and never tow a skier or tuber without an observer.

Indiana had 58 open water drownings in 2013, according to the department.

The Indiana State Department of Health issued water safety tips and tips to avoid water-related illness. People should not swim alone, they should obey swimming rules and be sure to have a flotation safety device.

People should not swim when they have diarrhea, they should not swallow pool water and they should shower with soap before swimming and after using the toilet or changing diapers.

Injuries from pool chemicals led to nearly 5,000 emergency room visits in 2012, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pool chemical injuries were most common during the summer swim season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and almost half occurred on weekends, according to the study.

With Independence Day approaching, people take unnecessary chances with fireworks, sometimes peering into the explosives when they think it's a dud.

"It's not unusual for mortars to come out of that tube and cause serious and devastating injuries," Vuckovic said. "Leave it to the professionals."

Even sparklers are dangerous. They can burn at a temperature of 2,000 degrees, according to the CDC.

Parents should take special care in storing poisons, such as pool chemicals, fuel, weed killer and medicines, Vuckovic said.

"Kids are curious," he said. "As they sample their environment, they will taste, as part of getting to know the world."

Parents should not leave their children inside a hot car, and they should not let them ride in the bed of pickup trucks, he said.

"People just need to exercise some common sense when they're doing activities," Vuckovic said.

Copyright 2014 - The Times, Munster, Ind.