ER visits increase by 10% each year during spring break. Dr. Mario Pulido, Ascension St. Vincent’s chief medical officer, reminds families that a few simple precautions can mean the difference between a memorable vacation and an unexpected ER visit.
Stay safe in the water
Drowning can happen quickly and quietly. Keep these tips in mind:
- Designate a water watcher: Make sure an adult is watching the swimmers, without distractions.
- Know the Beach Flag Warning System:
- Double red flag: The water is closed. Do not swim.
- Single red flag: High surf or strong currents are present. Use extreme caution.
- Purple flag: Dangerous marine life (jellyfish, stingrays)
- Know what to do in a rip current: Do not panic or swim straight back to shore. Instead, swim parallel to the beach to escape the pull. If you cannot get out, float on your back and call for help.
Beat the heat and sun
The Florida sun is intense and heat-related injuries can set in quickly.
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF regularly, especially after swimming.
- Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day, even before you feel thirsty.
- Seek shade during the hottest parts of the day to reduce the risk of heat exhaustion, which can escalate into a serious medical emergency such as heat stroke.
Staying safe on land
With more people traveling, you need to be extra careful on roads and at the beach.
- Allow extra time for travel. Traffic will be heavy. Avoid distractions behind the wheel and never drink and drive.
- Wear a properly fitted helmet when riding a bike or scooter. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of head and brain injuries.
- Fill in any holes dug in the sand before leaving the beach. This protects other beachgoers, emergency workers and nesting sea turtles.
Special warning: Golf cart safety
Golf cart accidents injure more than 6,500 children every year.
- In Florida, teens must be at least 15 years old with a learner’s permit to drive a golf cart on public roads. If you would not feel comfortable with your teen behind the wheel of a car, apply the same standard to a golf cart.
- Wear a seatbelt if available
- Do not overload the cart with too many passengers or gear.
- Keep all arms and legs inside the cart while it is moving.
- Make sure everyone stays seated until the cart has fully stopped.
