As the calendar prepares to turn to May, the days are getting warmer, and everyone is spending more time outdoors, enjoying the sunshine. Hutchinson and Reno County are alive with tons of things to do, and we encourage everyone to get out of their houses and enjoy as many of them as possible.
However, it’s important to do them safely. Safety should always be the No. 1 priority when it comes to planning any sort of outdoor activity, because many accidents, injuries and even deaths could easily be prevented.
While it’s understandable to want to enjoy beers and barbecue, no one should ever get behind the wheel after drinking. Buzzed driving is impaired driving, and the consequences for such is tremendous on every level. Not only does a person risk losing their driving privileges and having to pay thousands of dollars in court costs and other legal fees, they also risk injuring or killing innocent people due to their reckless decision. Having a designated driver is one way to ensure everyone gets home safely from a celebration. Serving non-alcoholic beverages is another way to do that. Friends don’t let friends drive drunk, so take care of yourself and your friends when drinking.
Water safety is another important thing to remember, especially when hosting or attending pool parties or having fun out on one of the many lakes within close proximity to Hutchinson and Reno County. Make sure you have personal floatation devices available for everyone on watercraft, including boats and jet skis, when out on a lake or other body of water. Make sure those devices fit and that those wearing them know how to use them and are actually wearing them at all times. When it comes to pools, always make sure someone is keeping a close eye on all those in the pool, because it only takes a few seconds for someone to drown. Have a life preserver or other safety equipment readily available to rescue someone as soon as you see that they’re having trouble in the water.
Don’t forget your sunscreen, either. While the idea of getting a nice bronze tan sounds nice, the fact is that most people don’t tan, and childhood sunburns often lead to skin cancers later in life. Wear the maximum protection level of sunscreen possible and don’t hesitate to reapply it after you’ve gotten sweaty or wet to make sure that you’re still protecting your skin. Wearing light, loose long-sleeved shirts is another way to prevent sunburns, as are wide-brimmed hats to keep the sun from burning your face. Enjoy the sun, but don’t get burned.
Insects like mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers are in abundance as the weather warms up, and they emerge in force, so it’s important to protect yourself as much as possible from them, as well. Diseases like the West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease can come from just one bite from a mosquito or tick, and those diseases last a lifetime. Wear insect repellant, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when walking out in the woods and do regular tick checks to remove ticks as soon as they land on your skin. Keeping your grass cut is another way to reduce your chances of getting bit by an insect. Also, if you see a possum, leave it alone, as possums consume ticks like candy and do a great job of keeping their numbers down. Certain plants repel mosquitoes and ticks, so ask a local extension agent about which ones you should plant near your house to naturally keep them at bay, instead of relying on chemical solutions.
If you’re going on a long drive this summer, get plenty of rest before departing on your trip and take breaks when you start feeling tired. Having a second driver on long road trips also helps as one person can drive while the other one gets some rest. Know your limits and don’t push too hard, because fatigued driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Also, stay off your phone while driving. That text can wait.
Finally, we want all our readers to enjoy a safe summer filled with memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t let this summer be a tragic one. Be safe. Do the little things to ensure that everyone has a good time safely. You’ll be glad you did.
-The Hutchinson Tribune Editorial Board