Summer in Bakersfield is no laughing matter. When temperatures consistently top 100°F and are scorching, you may try to cook everything outdoors. The season brings both sunshine and some serious risks. At Colvin Accident Lawyers, our primary concern is that all families in Bakersfield should have a safe and healthy summer. Whether you’re heading to the park, hitting the road, or just spending some time in your backyard this summer, it’s in our nature to be out there soaking up rays and enjoying the summer months before it cools off again. How can you protect yourself?
Dehydration is how heat exhaustion and heat stroke often begin. Children, the elderly, and outdoor workers are especially vulnerable in Bakersfield’s dry summer heat.
Drink water consistently. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty—by then, you’re already dehydrated. Avoid sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic beverages, which can accelerate dehydration. Make sure kids carry reusable water bottles when heading to summer camps or playgrounds. Add fruit like lemon or cucumber to make water more appealing to children.
Turn staying hydrated into a game-challenge each family member to finish a certain number of water bottles per day and reward them with a fun, heat-safe indoor activity.
Every year, tragic headlines remind us of the dangers of leaving children or pets inside a hot vehicle. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, the temperature inside a car can rise by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, reaching lethal levels quickly.
Always “look before you lock”-double-check the backseat. Never leave young children alone in parked vehicles. Report the situation to 911 immediately when you see a kid or pet left in a hot car. It is important to note that in California, if you smash a car window to free a child or pet in genuine danger, you’re legally protected.
For young children, drowning is among the leading causes of accidental death today. With poorly supervised backyard pools, public swimming areas, and even those little inflatable kiddie pools all become dangerous.
Even if lifeguards are present, make sure there’s always a “water watcher” who is responsible and sober-minded. Install pool fences with self-closing gates that latch. Consider also using alarms for pools. Initiate children into good swimming habits and remember to enforce such rules as “no diving” and “no running.” Remove kiddie pools and buckets from your yard immediately after use.
Make a “pool safety checklist” together and post it near your pool to remind visitors of the rules.
Heat-related injuries often result from clothing that traps heat close to the body. Even kids are more prone to such minor ailments as sunburn, heat exhaustion, and skin irritation without proper attire
Wear loose-fitting, light- colored clothes that are also lightweight. Don’t forget a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses that block UV rays. Coat yourself with sun screen having a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 every two hours–even more frequently if you go swimming or perspire a lot. For street clothes in which children are playing, choose breathable fabrics like cotton and linen.
For extra protection while hiking, doing sports, or spending long days outdoors, you can always try sun-protective clothing with UPF ratings.
Baby playgrounds get hot during summer mornings. Kids’ feet are so tender and most of the time like to stay barefoot, so they can be injured or burned by the heating of playgrounds, floors, and even back seatbelts.
Before your child plays, take a look at the playground, especially if it has metal slides or monkey bars. Endeavor to keep children out of direct sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early morning or early evening is a good time to go, when it’s always cooler. Assure that surfaces like car seats, belts, and pavement do not become unbearably hot first.
Test surfaces using the five-second rule—if you can’t stand on it for five seconds, it’s too hot to put a hand on it.
Nevertheless, despite our best efforts, accidents will happen no matter what. If your family member or pets get hurt due to someone else’s malpractice, such as shadeless public spaces, unsafe premises, or equipment that is ungodly hot, you are likely to receive compensation.
Colvin Accident Lawyers is extremely proud to have been serving Bakersfield households for over fifteen years now. Our seasoned team can help guide you through the law’s complexities and find some relief in your time of need, so you don’t feel like it’s all on your shoulders all alone. A free consultation with our group is only a phone call away, so contact us today. Stay Safe and stay cool!
Free Case Evaluation