Safety First This Fourth of July

This weekend, we will observe our 235th year as an independent nation. That is a LOT of candles to blow out! Happy Birthday USA!! Americans love a reason to celebrate. And the birth of such a grand nation is a great reason to do so! While we are a young country, we are strong in our history and heritage. Our traditions have shaped our past and at the same time they influence our future.
One tradition for many families is the 4th of July backyard barbecue. Burgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad and apple pie are on many Texan’s plates. And remember the sparklers too. Of course, all of these involve some form of heat. Whether it is from the grill, fireworks, or just the outside ambient temperature, July can be a dangerous month.
With all the distractions, keeping an eye on the children can be a challenge. They are fearless and without boundaries. I just returned from a week at the beach with my grandson. I am exhausted. One minute he was under the umbrella, the next he was running after the seagulls, and yet a split second later, he was splashing in a tide pool with the fish. So the question is: How do you grill the perfect burger, flip the hot dogs, apply the sunscreen, refill the iced tea, and blow out the 235 candles on the nation’s birthday cake while tending a toddler? The grill is a tempting touch point for little fingers. As are candles and snuffed out sparklers. The answer to the question is: Take turns watching the tot so everyone can participate in the celebration and commemoration of our countries birth. Here are a few other tips to help you and your families celebrate and safe and happy 4th of July!

· Don’t walk away from a hot grill
· Pick the right location: never grill indoors, and have the grill in a well ventilated area
· Never add charcoal starter fluid once the fire has started
· Keep a fireproof pan under the grill to catch the grease drippings
· Always have water to put out fires/sparklers
· Never point fireworks at anyone
· Don’t wear loose clothing next to the grill
· Dispose of coals properly, soaking them in water until the fire is completely out
· A clean grill prevents fire flare-ups
· If friends and family are driving to your party, remember to have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages on hand

MaryAnn Contreras, RN

Trauma Nurse/Injury Prevention Coordinator

Preventing Swimmer’s Ear

Spending a lot of time at the pool this summer? Otitis externa, sometimes known as swimmer’s ear is a common problem especially among young children and teenagers. It can turn into a painful reason to avoid the pool and end up ruining summer fun. The good news is there are ways to prevent it.

Swimmer’s ear is caused by moisture in the outer ear canal which allows bacteria and fungus to grow creating an infection. Otitis externa can also result from irritation to the ear canal. This can be caused by foreign bodies, cleaning the ears with sharp instruments, and chemical irritants.
Symptoms of swimmer’s ear include ear pain, redness, itching, tenderness, discharge, and possibly muffled hearing. These are not to be confused with symptoms of otitis media or an inner ear infection. The inner and outer ear are separated by the ear drum. Since swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear, tugging and prodding the ear lobe causes pain unlike an inner ear infection. Inner ear infections can be accompanied by fever and may be treated with oral antibiotics depending on the cause and the patient’s age.

Your ears have natural defenses that help keep them free of infection. One of these mechanisms is the production of ear wax. Earwax helps remove debris such as dirt and dead skin cells by moving them out of the ear. The ear canal is also slanted downward to help water drain out. There are a few simple ways to help prevent swimmer’s ear and get the most out of going to the pool this summer. Earplugs are a simple way to keep water out of the ear canal thus preventing an environment for bacteria to grow. Also drying ears and allowing water to drain from each ear can help prevent swimmer’s ear. To help remove water after swimming, over the counter drying agents and home remedies containing alcohol and acetic acid (white vinegar) can be placed in each ear and then drained to get any excess water out. They should not be used if there is a current infection, injury to the ear drum, or the child has tubes in their ears.

Swimmer’s ear should be treated by a physician. Treatment for an existing swimmer’s ear infection may require antibiotics, steroids, acidic solutions, or antifungals. These are usually prescribed by the physician in the form of ear drops since they are targeting the outer ear canal. Oral medications can also be given.

To keep an earache from spoiling your summer fun, following these simple tips for preventing swimmer’s ear and enjoy your time at the pool.

Lacey Mullins, Pharm D.

Maintaining Roadway Safety

As gas prices continue to increase, so does the need for some motorists to find other means of transportation. This need has given rise to one of the more dangerous hobbies: motorcycle riding. Whether or not the sun is shining and regardless of the temperature, motorcycle riders or “un-caged” drivers can be found out riding their prized possession. Unfortunately, the Emergency Department at Texas Health Fort Worth generally encounters a number of individuals who fall victim to injuries sustained while riding out on local streets and highways. Many of the injuries can be avoided by implementing a few preventative measures.
Most people can tell you, “I heard the bike”, and can mentally imagine the bike, usually due to the distinctive and discernable sound of these vehicles. Even with the audible noises, sadly, the rider and bike are never actually seen until after an accident has occurred, in a usually less than recognizable state. Statistics tell us that hearing simply isn’t enough. Some of the worst crashes have occurred because the opposing driver simply did not have sight of the motorcyclist.
The simplest and most cost efficient thing any rider can do to help prevent an accident is to add reflective devices and wear reflective clothing. They can help increase rider visibility. State law requires all motorcycle bikes to maintain an active, lit headlight while the ignition is on. This helps to increase motorcycle visibility by attracting additional attention.
Each driver, whether a two or four wheeled vehicle, has the same responsibility: ensuring roadway safety. Simple and inexpensive devices and gadgets can help improve visibility and audibility, which can help to decrease the occurrence of an incident. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, nearly two-thirds of vehicle vs. motorcycle accidents are caused, not by the motorcyclist, but by the driver. The driver either does not see the oncoming motorcyclist at all or does not see the motorcyclist in time to avoid an accident.
One summer day in 2010, a motorcycle collision and lack of efficient safety and protective devices put my life at risk. As a motorcycle enthusiast, it is important that I do my part to help others understand the importance of driver safety.

Tim Farris
Nursing Student