How to keep out of the ER this summer

Head injuries from bike accidents while not wearing a helmet are extremely common in the summertime.

Cleaning the wire grill brush. A little-known hazard is wire barbs that can be ingested after a grill is cleaned with a wire brush and its bristles get into the food. A way to avoid that is to inspect the grill carefully after cleaning or use a stone scrubbing block instead.

During the summer, ERs see an uptick in drownings and near drownings, especially among children. Keep children within sight and no more than an arm’s reach away around water.

Stingrays can cause a painful sting, but it can often be treated with hot water.

Watch for rattlesnakes on hiking trails. Never try to touch a snake in the wild. If bitten by a rattler, immediately head to the nearest emergency room.

Avoid mixing alcohol with motorized vehicles and anything that explodes. Actually, don’t drink and do a lot of things, like falling asleep in the sun.

When grilling outdoors, be careful not to undercook poultry and take care that raw poultry juices don’t mix with vegetables or other uncooked food.