By Stephanie Dunn Ashley
Summer is upon us, and I think all of us are looking forward to spending some long evenings with our loved ones over the next few months. With my daughters’ college graduation photos newly printed and sitting on my mantle, I think back about all the amazing summers we spent together as a family — and all of the things I worried about with the outdoors. Whether sitting outside for dinner on the back deck, a hike in the woods or a sunset picnic at Tod’s Point, summer is my favorite time of year for being outside.
Trekking, walking or hiking are great year-round activities — but especially in the summer — here in Greenwich at some of the wonderful trails and parks as well as throughout the country. When you go, be sure you know the level of ability of the people in your group and the environment around you and plan accordingly. Sprains and falls are some of the most common misfortunes travelers may face, and oftentimes they happen because of poor decision-making, lack of skill or not being properly prepared. Be sure to wear proper footwear for a hike, pack a nutritious snack and bring plenty of water, as well as any supplies you might need for pets (like our dog, Benson) who may not be able to regulate their own body heat.
Hiking goes hand-in-hand with camping, an increasingly popular activity in the United States — more than 81 million people went camping last year, including almost 6 million for the first time — and it’s important to know how to go camping safely. Whether you’re headed somewhere super remote, to a swanky glamping spot or overnight at Island Beach, being prepared is critical to making sure you have a good time. Aside from the tent, food and water, be sure to check the weather and pack clothes accordingly. Bring a firstaid kit and be respectful of your surroundings.
Unfortunately, oftentimes summer plans are intruded upon by uninvited guests. Don’t let mosquitoes and ticks ruin your summer fun. While mosquitoes may be the obvious outdoor buzzkill — especially at dusk and dawn when they are most active — ticks are silent but dangerous. Here in Greenwich, we should look out for blacklegged ticks (more commonly known as deer ticks).
To reduce the risk of getting bitten by a tick, use insect repellents containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) when you are outdoors and follow the directions on the package. For pets, be sure to spray them with a repellent made for their breed and follow the label instructions. When hiking in woods and fields, stay in the middle of trails and avoid underbrush and tall grass. You can tuck your pants into your socks or boots, or you can use a rubber band or tape to hold your pants against your socks, so that nothing can get underneath your clothing. When you get home, inspect yourself carefully for insects or ticks (use a mirror or have someone else help you look) — be sure to check in hairy areas of the body like the back of the neck and the scalp line. Don’t forget to check your pets too!
If you do find a tick, there’s no need to panic — but you should remove the tick as soon as possible. Do not wait to go to a healthcare provider to remove the tick, as the risk of getting a tickborne disease only increases the longer the tick is attached. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the way to remove a tick is to use some clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. If you don’t have finetipped tweezers, then regular tweezers or even your fingers will work — just be careful not to squeeze the tick’s body when you pull it away from your skin with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick, as it may cause mouth parts to detach and remain in the skin.
To dispose of a live tick, there are a couple ways to do it properly. You can place it in a sealed container, wrap it tightly in tape, flush it down the toilet, or put it in alcohol. Do not cover them with things like nail polish or petroleum jelly — this won’t effectively smother them — and don’t crush them with your fingers.
After removing the tick, be sure to thoroughly clean the bite area as well as your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. The CDC does not generally recommend getting a tick tested, and if in fact the tick is carrying a disease — you are likely to develop symptoms before you get the results of the test back. If you do develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a tick, see your doctor and tell them about the recent tick bite, when the bite occurred and where you most likely acquired the tick.
There are more than 80 days to enjoy before Labor Day marks the end of the summer season. Stay safe this summer and remember these easy tips, or visit redcross.org/summersafety for more helpful advice:
1. Sun Protection: sunscreen, SPF clothing and shady spots
2. Hydration: drink plenty of water throughout the day
3. Bug Bite Prevention: as noted above
4. Water Safety: supervise children, wear life jackets, and “Turn It Off 4 Emily”
5. First Aid: have a first aid kit, know the signs of heat-related illnesses
6. Respect Nature: leave it how you found it or better — including the wildlife!
Stephanie Dunn Ashley is the CEO of the American Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter. Based in Greenwich, Conn., the chapter serves Westchester and Rockland counties, Greenwich, Conn., and the US Military Academy at West Point.
