Summer is unique. Summer is fun. Summer gives us more daylight, but most of all summer carries some additional risks.
Accidents: The fifth leading cause of death throughout the year, spike during the summer months. June, July and August have the highest rate of fatalities. 
Avoidance Advice: Always wear a seat belt, never drink and drive, always drive defensively and don’t drive if you are not well rested.
Bicycling: accidents and deaths also rise in the summer. 85% of bike fatalities are head injuries.
Avoidance: Always wear a helmet when riding and don’t forget the rules of the road require you ride with traffic. Stick to bike lanes, but always be aware of your surroundings and nearby traffic.
Drowning: Last year we lost 3,000 of our citizens in drowning accidents. Many were during the summer months.
Avoidance: If you are not familiar with your swimming environment, i.e. beach, waterhole, etc. be extremely careful. Never dive into unknown waters. Always be aware of tides, currents, etc. Swim with a buddy. And parents, always-and we mean 100% of the time-supervise your swimming pool. Check with the local YMCA for swimming lessons or a refresher.
Insect Bites: Some American’s will remember the summertime threat of polio. While it has all but vanished, it has been replaced by other just threats such as the West Nile virus, encephalitis/meningitis and Lyme disease, that can be fatal. These generally manifest themselves during the summer.
Avoidance: These diseases are borne by summer mosquitoes and ticks. Avoid bare legs and arms in vegetated areas and use a repellent…this can mean your own backyard especially during dawn and dusk hours.
Sunburn: Need we explain…sunburn is at best uncomfortable and at worse a medical emergency with serious consequences.
Avoidance: Always use a very high number sunscreen, we recommend 50 SPF or above and enjoy it in smaller doses. Make sure you stay hydrated by always having water nearby.
Boating: Always participate with a seasoned boating person. Don’t venture out with the un-informed. Be certain you have safety gear on board such as life vests, signaling equipment, and the ability to communicate. When swimming from the boat, be certain someone always remains in the boat and is on “watch”.