June is National Safety Month! The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York urges everyone to practice proper safety precautions this summer. Beautiful weather means more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. By familiarizing yourself with safety tips and making wise choices this summer (and year-round!), you could potentially prevent a dangerous situation.  

As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, June offers us a great opportunity to remind ourselves to prioritize safety in all our activities. Whether you’re heading out for a leisurely picnic in the park or planning a fun-filled day at the beach, taking steps to ensure safety is crucial. Remember to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and always be aware of your surroundings. 

For individuals living with epilepsy, being mindful and taking necessary precautions can make all the difference in enjoying a safe and fulfilling summer season. If you or a loved one has epilepsy, make sure to have a seizure action plan in place and communicate it with those around you. By working together and fostering a culture of safety and support, we can all have a wonderful summer while prioritizing the well-being of ourselves and others. Let’s make this National Safety Month a time of awareness, preparedness, and enjoyment for all. 

This month, we will be discussing different healthy habits including water safety, seat belt safety, and bike safety. These are extremely important habits for everyone to engage in, regardless of their health status. For a brief synopsis of what we will cover:  

Water Safety: Extra measures to ensure safety while in and around bodies of water are extremely important for everyone. This is especially true for those living with epilepsy. June is a great month to address water safety in Northeastern New York due to the rise in temperature signaling the start of many aquatic activities. While this may be extra relevant right now, this is an important topic year-round, even within our own homes.  To ensure water safety, it is advisable to never swim, fish, or boat alone, wear a life jacket when swimming or boating, and always choose swimming areas with a lifeguard on duty. 

Driving Safety: Properly affixing seatbelts and ensuring age-appropriate car seat security are paramount to being proactive about health and safety. Proper seat belt and car seat usage help to reduce change of injury, including traumatic brain injuries which may lead to epilepsy. While the setting of seatbelts may not be different for people living with disabilities, there may be additional supports available to ensure safety during traffic stops or after an accident. It is also important to make sure that if you are driving, to reduce distractions, obey traffic laws, and pay close attention to potential dangers on the road.  

Bicycle Safety: It is crucial to always wear a helmet and follow road rules when engaging in activities like biking, scootering, or roller skating to prevent injuries and promote health and activity.  

Wearing proper personal protective equipment, such as a helmet, can assist with protecting your brain from a traumatic injury which may lead to epilepsy. Those who are currently living with disabilities such as epilepsy, may want to look into alternatives such as tricycles or recumbent bikes.  These options may offer individuals a lower chance of risk as compared to a traditional bike or scooter.  

We encourage everyone, regardless of health status, to make these safety measures into regular habits.  The Epilepsy Foundation provides support services to people with epilepsy and their families including counseling, support groups, art therapy, and recreational outings. The Epilepsy Foundation also offers educational services to schools, summer camps, workplaces, professional organizations, and more. Interested in learning more about the services we offer? Visit our website to learn more! 

Please reach out to our team to learn more about educational opportunities and trainings by calling our office at (518)456-7501.  

Be sure to check out more safety tips all month long as a part of our summer safety blog series!