Summer Dangers You Should Know About

By Diana Gerstacker/June 24, 2015 6:40 pm EST

Summer is here and that means more people enjoying the outdoors. Kids are out of school, adults might be taking trips and visits to the hospital are sure to rise.[slideshow:1413]

The summer months are a busy time for trauma centers, mostly because people are more active and kids are occasionally left unsupervised. Injuries run the gamut from pool accidents to burns—and then there are incidents you would never even think of. Warm weather brings people outside, but occasionally what they do outside brings them into ER.

Of the seemingly endless list of injuries and ailments that come with summertime fun, there are a few that you should keep in mind. The risk of injury is no reason to skip out on adventures, but it's a good idea to be prepared in the unlikely event that something does happen.

Some of the dangers on our list will almost certainly happen to you this summer (hello, sun burn), while others will likely never happen in your whole life (hello, shark attack), but these are the dangers you should know about, even if only to satisfy your curiosity.

We outlined 10 summer dangers and included some resources for dealing with them, hopefully your summer will be danger-free, but in the event it's not, read on.

Extreme Heat

A top summer danger is one that most people don't even consider—the heat. Extreme heat, especially over time, can cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. While heat cramps and heat exhaustion can be dangerous, heat stroke can be fatal. Know the signs and how to prevent heat-related health problems—take a look at our guide for beating the heat this summer.

Overexposure to Sun

Another big summer danger is also a favorite part of the summer season. Basking in the sun's rays may be one of your favorite things about summer, but it can also leave you badly burned. Each summer, hospitals treat sun poisoning and burns that can result in permanent skin damage. Don't get burned, choose a quality sunscreen, reapply often and learn some things you didn't know about sun protection.

8 other Summer Dangers You Should Know About