Summer is a great time of year. More vacations take place during summer than any other time of year. It’s a wonderful time for enjoying family time. Living in Florida gives us an even better chance of finding ways to take advantage of one of the best states for water sports, fishing, family fun and making memories. However, along with all those outdoor activities, there are some safety concerns when interacting with our natural world.
Poisonous Plants: There are some common plants that are poisonous in our state. Poison ivy, Poison oak, and Poison Sumac are the most common. There are others and it would be a good idea to be able to recognize them.
Snakes: There are six very poisonous snakes in Florida. The Coral Snake, the Eastern Copperhead, Florida Cottonmouth, the Pigmy Rattlesnake, the Timber Rattlesnake, and the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. There are many other common snakes we might see in our gardens and yards and many of them are beneficial and harmless. It’s important to educate children that almost all snakes will bite if mishandled.
Creepy Crawlies: You wouldn’t think of a Monarch Butterfly as poisonous, but it’s on the list, along with Black Widow spiders, Brown Recluse Spiders, Fire Ants, Centipedes, Scorpions, Wasps, Yellow Jackets and Hornets, Deer Flies and Mosquitoes. Obviously, there are more so it’s a good idea to be able to identify the most common. Repellents and recognition of personal sensitivity to these insects might save a life.
We live in a wonderful area. Almost an endless summer, filled with great things to do. We can get the most enjoyment out of these things by being aware of the conditions that might compromise our fun. No one wants to live in a bubble. That’s not what life is all about but it’s wise to recognize that there are some hazards involved. After all, don’t we deal with hazards as an occupation? We are hoping you are having a wonderful and safe summer.
Jeff Blomgren
Director of Safety