Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 4, 1994 TAG: 9407050119
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: By JOE KENNEDY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Few say they do.
``It makes me cringe,'' says Hafey, the chief flight nurse for Life-Guard 10, the medical helicopter of Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Bicycle accidents take about 700 lives in this country per year. Head injuries are common, and most could be minimized if the cyclists only wore helmets.
But young people say the helmets cost too much, or that an accident won't happen to them.
That's frustrating to Hafey and others who promote safe practices. The hard part of their job is ``not what to say as much as getting them to heed your advice.''
Individuals must decide for themselves. The following safety tips, from the American Trauma Society, the National Safety Council and Andi Wright, trauma services coordinator at Roanoke Memorial, should provide a basis for wise decisions.
Swimming and other water sports:
Always supervise children near a pool or any body of water, even if they know how to swim or are wearing flotation devices.
Make sure young children enter the water only with an adult, never by themselves.
Do not swim alone.
Always check unexplored water. Never dive into it.
Never dive into water less than five feet deep.
Bicyling:
Wear a helmet.
Be alert for obstacles in your path.
Ride on the right side in a straight, predictable path..
Check for traffic.
Wear reflective clothing.
Be especially cautious during bad weather or approach of darkness.
Be sure your brakes are working well.
Driving your car or truck:
Have vehicle inspected by qualified mechanic before starting out.
Wear seatbelt and make sure everyone else does.
Drive defensively.
In normal traffic, maintain a gap of two to three seconds between your car and the car ahead.
Adjust speed for hazards such as potholes.
Don't drink and drive.
Merge safely onto freeways.
Choose a legal speed that matches the speed of other traffic.
Stop driving when you get tired.
Camping:
Pack at least one flashlight and fire extinguisher.
Teach children about safety ahead of time.
Keep sharp and dangerous objects like fishing hooks, knives, hot stoves and matches away from children.
Teach family how to use fire extinguisher.
Plan exits from tent, trailer or recreational vehicle in the event of fire.
Practice fire drills.
Demonstrate what to do if someone's clothes catch fire - stop, drop and roll.
Pack a first-aid kit.
Never leave a fire unattended. Extinguish when you're finished with it.
Avoid questionable situations. Make camp instead of hiking through a storm. Be careful crossing creeks. Don't take on more than you can handle.
Take along plenty of food and, if necessary, water.
Never burn charcoal in enclosed areas like homes, campers, vans or tents. The carbon monoxide can kill you.
Use a flame retardant tent and keep it away from campfire.
Use only flashlights or battery-powered lanterns in your tent or other closed space.
Build your fire downwind of your tent.
Do not freshen a campfire with liquid fuel. Use only dry kindling.
Never start a fire with gasoline. Store firestarter away from fire and tent.
Pour water over the fire or cover it with dirt before leaving the campsite or going to sleep.
All-terrain vehicles:
Ride only if you've taken a hands-on training course.
Know how to adjust your speed to trail conditions and visibility.
Keep your feet on the footrests while riding.
Ride adult-sized ATV only if you are 16 or older.
Never ride alone.
Avoid steep hills.
Dismount to the side if your ATV begins to roll backwards on a hill.
Do not carry passengers.
Do not ride on paved roads.
Do not drink and drive.
Wear helmet.
Boating:
Wear Coast Guard-approved personal floatation devices (PFD) or life-jacket.
Check weather and conditions before leaving shore.
Limit passengers in small boats.
Never drink while boating.
Learn and practice boating's ``rules of the road.''
For information about boating safety, call the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at (800) 368-5647.
by CNB