PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As summer gets underway, the Oregon Health Authority is offering Oregonians tips to stay healthy and safe, encouraging them to take steps to make sure the season doesn't become a “dull one.”
The Oregon ESSENCE Summer Hazards Report Dashboard allows you to monitor trends for the most common summer-related hazards. The dashboard includes interactive graphs showing the total number of daily emergency department and urgent care center visits in Oregon associated with four injury and illness categories: heatstroke, submersion, wildfire-related smoke inhalation, and air quality-related respiratory illness.
Users can also select the dataset by year, going all the way back to 2018. The dashboard page for each tab also includes a description of the injury or illness, the groups most at risk, and treatment or prevention methods. The dashboard is updated weekly.
Summer safety covers a variety of topics, so here are some simple tips:
Mosquito-borne diseases (West Nile Virus, Zika)—Eliminate sources of standing water where mosquitoes breed, such as drinking fountains and birdbaths. Protect yourself with mosquito repellents containing DEET, lemon eucalyptus oil, or picardan during outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, and follow the directions on the container. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants in areas with high mosquito populations. For more information, visit https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/WESTNILEVIRUS/Pages/wnvprevent.aspx. Cyanobacteria (harmful algae) blooms—Avoid water bodies that show signs of cyanobacteria blooms, such as water that is foamy, dirty, paint-like, pea-green, blue-green, or reddish-brown in color. Avoid swimming, waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, and other high-speed water activities in areas affected by lake blooms. Ensure children and pets do not swallow water or come into contact with cyanobacteria blooms that have washed up on shore or dried on rocks. For more information, visit http://healthoregon.org/hab. Beach Bacteria – Visitors to Oregon beaches where public health advisories have been issued due to higher than normal levels of fecal bacteria should avoid wading in nearby streams, beach puddles, or discolored water, and stay out of water that drains into the ocean. Even if an advisory is not in effect, avoid swimming in the ocean for 48 hours after a rainstorm. For more information, visit http://healthoregon.org/beach. Drowning Prevention – Extreme Heat – Stay in an air-conditioned location if possible, and avoid sun exposure between 10am and 4pm, when UV rays are strongest. Use cool compresses, mist sprays, cool showers and baths, and do not leave children unattended in parked cars. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol and liquids with large amounts of sugar, especially when working outdoors. Visit https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/Tips-Stay-Safe-Extreme-Heat.aspx Tick-Borne Diseases – Preventing Firework Injuries – View fireworks from a safe distance. Always have adult supervision of firework activities and do not allow small children to play with or light fireworks.
If someone is injured, call 911 immediately.
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