Summer is here, and with it comes more opportunity for action-packed adventure, or rest and relaxation— be it by the pool, on the beach or out on the Hudson River. Summertime moves slow (or at least, we want it to), but dangerous situations can escalate quickly.
“It only takes one minute, literally, for a child to slip below the water and drown,” said Dr. Sherlita Amler, Westchester County’s health commissioner, who noted that supervision is critical.
And with more time outdoors, comes with more chance encounters with disease-carrying insects, like ticks and mosquitoes— “people are out and about, so they have more of a chance to come into contact with wildlife,” Amler said.
Just in time for summer 2025, reporters at The Journal News looked at seasonal hazards, and what you can do to keep yourself and loved ones safe, and get some peace of mind. Because you have more enjoyable things to do this summer. Read on for what we learned.
Practice sun safety this summer: 3 tips to know
Too much sun can be dangerous: overexposure to the sun’s rays can lead to sun burns, skin cancer, premature aging and more. Thankfully, you can take steps to avoid those fates by practicing sun safety. Here’s a few sun safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Keep yourself, loved ones and pets cool to avoid heat illness: 5 tips
Summer 2025 is predicted to be a “scorcher of a summer,” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The National Weather Service said that extreme heat is one of the “leading weather-related killers” in the U.S., with over 1,000 fatalities every year.
Check out these 5 tips to keep you safe in the heat:
Stay safe when swimming: 4 tips to prevent drowning
According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released in May 2024, deaths due to drowning are on the rise following decades of decline. More than 4,500 people died from drowning each year from 2020 through 2022, 500 more per year compared to 2019.
Check out these 4 tips to prevent drowning:
Keep safe on the water: 3 tips for boating safety
The U.S. Coast Guard reported a decrease in boating fatalities and incidents in 2023, the most recent year available. The fatality rate was 4.9 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, a 9.3% decrease from 2022’s rate of 5.4 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels. Non-fatal injuries also declined by 4.3% from 2,222 to 2,126.
Help that number continue to decline by following these safety tips:
Avoid disease-carrying ticks: 3 tips for peace of mind
Blacklegged ticks — known as deer ticks — can carry Lyme disease and other illnesses, and are common in the Lower Hudson Valley.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other sources offer these tips to reduce chances of getting bitten:
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Summer 2025: Have fun, stay safe this season. Check out our guide to summer safety
Reporting by Michael P. McKinney, Alexandra Rivera and Hartriono B. Sastrowardoyo, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
