When most of us think of summer, we picture lazy days by the pool with a tasty cocktail in hand. However, for everyone enjoying the warmer summer months, there’s someone less fortunate whose summer fun lands them in hospital. In fact, according to medical professionals, summer is known as “trauma season,” a time when emergency rooms are suddenly full of injured patients.
However, it’s not just daredevils who find themselves in body casts before September rolls around. Below are 15 of the most dangerous summer activities, from the obviously hazardous to the seemingly-safe. Take a look!
We might tell ourselves that the roller coasters at the closest amusement park only look dangerous, but the truth is that our overconfidence could cost us. In fact, according to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, roughly 43,405 people are injured by amusement park rides every year.
2. Off-Roading
Off-roading in an ATV is a serious adrenaline rush. However, it’s also an adrenaline rush that frequently ends up taking someone to the hospital. 214,761 injuries related to ATVs, minibikes, and mopeds are reported every year.
3. Setting off Fireworks
Setting off beautiful fireworks might be an American tradition, but it’s a dangerous one. Every year, 9,000 firework-related injuries are reported at hospitals around the US.
Taking a dip to cool off this summer might land you in some choppy waters. In 2017 alone, there were 199,246 reported injuries related to swimming and the use of pool equipment.
5. Mowing the Lawn
Not every potentially-perilous summer activity is an exciting one. In fact, summer chores such as mowing the lawn are surprisingly dangerous. In 2017, there were 89,608 reported injuries related to lawnmower use.
6. Biking
If you ditch your car in favor of commuting by bike in the summer, you’re not alone. However, hitting the road on two wheels might not always provide you with the safe trip you seek. Sadly, biking accounts for more than 1,000 deaths annually in the US and close to 500,000 injuries.
Exploring coral reefs is an undeniable thrill that doesn’t come without substantial risks. According to the DAN Annual Diving Report, there are approximately 1,220 injuries from scuba diving in the US and its territories each year.
8. Jumping on Trampolines
Getting some decent air in your backyard on your trampoline is a great workout – until someone breaks a bone, that is. In a single year, more than 145,207 trampoline-related injuries were reported, and most of the victims were under 14 years old.
9. Playing Soccer
The world’s most popular summer sport is also one of the most dangerous. In a single year, soccer caused 218,926 injuries and this was just in the United States.
While it’s highly unlikely that you’ll lose your life to a trowel mishap, summer gardeners are still an injury-prone bunch. In 2017 alone, lawn and garden equipment and gardening hand tools caused 145,511 injuries in the US.
11. Camping
Bugs and bears aren’t the only things you need to worry about when camping in the woods this summer. Truth be told, camping accounted for 28,604 injuries in the US in 2017.
12. Grilling
Grilling might be a popular form of preparing food in the summer, but it’s also dangerous. In 2017, there were 24,082 reported accidents from grills and stoves.
If someone you know loves to skateboard, you’d better make sure that they stick a helmet on. In a single year, skateboarding accidents accounted for 98,486 injuries in the US alone.
14. Sunbathing
While you’re highly unlikely to sprain your ankle when sunbathing, getting a suntan isn’t without its risks. According to the EPA, around 235 Americans die from heat-related deaths each year, and 5.4 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed each year.
15. Drinking
While it’s unlikely that one glass of wine or pint will send you to the hospital this summer, binge drinking just might. There are 88,000 alcohol-related deaths in the US every year, and according to the CDC, alcohol is a factor in around 70% of all drowning deaths.
Source: bestlifeonline
Images: depositphotos
