The end of summer brings ample opportunities to spend time outdoors, which may involve breaking out the tent and hitting the campsite.

While spending time outdoors is great, this also comes with increased exposure to potentially dangerous weather hazards such as flash flooding, lightning and excessive heat, which we have discussed previously this year. Before you and the family head to the campgrounds, identify which hazards you may be at risk for during your trip by checking the latest forecast information, and how you can mitigate those risks.

For today's discussion, I will be using the NOAA/NWS information along with data I found on www.ready.gov, the Federal Emergency Management Agency website, and the National Park Service website.

Two important items to remember when outdoors are: Use sunscreen and reapply it every two hours. There are several types of sunscreen available and you need to choose one that fits your skin complexion. The other outdoor item that is a must especially now is mosquito repellent with DEET.

With the start of school looming in the future, a lot of families will get outdoors one last time to close out the summer. Before you know it, the discussion of colder weather will be upon us. Before heading out for an outdoor adventure in a park, on lakes, rivers and the beach, make sure you do some research ahead of time. This is especially important if you’re visiting an area with different weather or climate risks you may not be used to.

It is recommended that you let someone know where you are going. That way if something happens on your trip at least your family or friends will know where to start looking for you. If you are at a park that has dedicated trails, it is recommended that you stay on them. If you venture off of an established trail, you could get lost or if you fall someone may not hear you calling for help. Another good rule is one that I learned in the military. Use the “buddy system” so that if one of you needs assistance the other can help you.

Anytime you are in the countryside you should always stay aware of your surroundings. The NPS recommends four actions:

• Watch your step
• Stay alert for wildlife activity
• My favorite, keep an eye on the weather
• Report suspicious activities

Parks are not petting zoos. It is recommended that you use binoculars or your camera lens to observe wildlife. I shouldn’t have to say it, but you should not try to pet a buffalo. They are extremely large and fast. Also, according to the videos I have seen on social media, they can throw a human several feet in the air.

Another favorite pastime of some people is a trip to your favorite body of water. Whether it is a lake, river, pool or spa, one needs to take precautions.

Being around water can be especially dangerous for young children. Children can drown in as little as 2 inches of water. Drownings are 100% preventable by following these water safety tips:

• Always watch children in or near water. Never leave them unattended, not even for short periods of time
• Install safety devices like barriers, covers and alarms around your pool or spa
• Learn to swim and teach children how to swim
• Ensure all pools and spas have compliant drain covers and teach children to stay away from them

Water safety tips for everyone:

• Swim with a friend. Even strong swimmers should make sure they are in the water with someone else who can swim
• Know how to perform CPR on children and adults
• At the beach or in a lake, only swim in areas with a lifeguard on duty. Follow all signs and warnings
• Stay alert to rip currents. Check water conditions before going in by looking at the local beach forecast before you leave
• Keep an eye on the weather forecast. If a thunderstorm approaches when you are swimming or near water, get out of the water and seek shelter in a house, large building or car with its windows closed
• Know how deep the water is. Do not dive into the water if you don’t know how deep it is. Diving into shallow water can cause serious injury or death. Even strong swimmers should be aware when they are in deep water

Tips for boat owners and passenger safety:

• Wear a life jacket. The best life jacket is the one you will wear. Visit the U.S. Coast Guard life jacket web page to learn how to pick the right life jacket
• If you are on a boat of any size, make sure you pay attention to marine forecasts. Before setting out, get the latest marine forecast and warning information from www.weather.gov/marine or a NOAA Weather Radio
• Stay safe on the water. Visit the U.S. Coast Guard Boating safety page to learn more ways to stay safe when underway and learn federal requirements for recreational boats

Grilling safety tips:

• Only use a grill outside and keep a 3-foot safety zone around it, away from siding, deck drains, and eaves. Open your gas grill before lighting it.
• Clean your grill after each use.
• If using a charcoal grill, after cooking your food place the coals and ash in a metal can with a lid once they have cooled.

It is always a good idea to stay weather alert when outdoors and enjoy what is left of the summer.

And as always, keep an eye on the sky.

Bob the EM.