Summer safety and other outdoor safety tips
by Dan Kaneko | July 18, 2021
Summertime always brings back childhood memories of inflatable pools and frozen Otter pops. Back then, the daylight hours seemed endless, and we didn’t have a care in the world. During my college years when I was living on the East Coast, I would take every opportunity to hit the beach with my friends while I was back home for summer break.
We naturally associate summertime with carefree fun and endearing vacation memories. But we should also remember to keep one foot grounded in reality (while the other is planted in the sand) and prioritize everyone’s safety over everything else.
Look Up (and Around) Before Picking Fruit
Many of our juicy local fruits are in season during the summer months. Before picking those ripened fruits, remember to look up and around for nearby power lines. If any part of the tree is touching overhead power lines, the tree can become energized and you shouldn’t touch the tree. If power lines are present, be sure to keep your body and any ladders, tools or fruit pickers at least 10 feet away. If someone contacts a power line, do not attempt to free the person from the power line. Stay clear and warn others to keep away and call 911 immediately for emergency help. If you see an object caught in a power line, do not attempt to free it yourself. Call our Trouble line at one of the following for assistance:
- Oahu: 1–855–304–1212 toll free
- Maui: (808) 871–7777
- Molokai/Lanai: 1–877–871–8461 toll free
- Hawaii Island: (808) 969–6666
Call If You’re Trimming Trees Near Power Lines:
The fair weather of the summer months in Hawaii makes it an ideal time to spruce up your yard and other outdoor spaces. If you find yourself trimming trees this summer, don’t forget to prioritize your safety. If the trees are near power lines, you should leave the job to professionals. For your safety, please contact us before conducting any kind of work on trees that are located near overhead lines.
Keep Cool and Stay Hydrated
The only thing I dread about the summer months is the sweltering heat. The higher temperatures and humidity make my outdoor workouts feel twice as hard and heat-related illnesses become a greater concern. More so than any other time of year, I know it’s important to stay hydrated by drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day (or more when I’m active). If I’ll be active or outdoors for an hour or longer, I like to add an electrolyte supplement to my water. It really helps!
Before planning any outdoor activities, I try to keep up with local weather updates, check for heat advisories, and avoid spending prolonged periods in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are at their highest level. When I do find myself under the hot Hawaiian sun, I try to wear UV protective gear like sunscreen (at least SPF 30 and reapply every two hours or more often as needed), hats, sunglasses and long sleeves.
Respect the Ocean
Here in Hawaii, we have some of the nicest beaches in the world — it’s one of the main reasons we’re lucky to live in Hawaii! But it’s important for us to remember that the ocean presents some of the greatest safety risks. Every time I plan to hit the waves or go for a swim, I always check ocean conditions, and heed all warnings from Ocean Safety Lifeguards or emergency personnel before entering the water. Many of our beaches often have large waves or strong currents, so it’s important I adhere to my own swimming capabilities and choose appropriate beaches. And I always remember what my dad taught me as a young boy — NEVER turn your back to the ocean!
Let’s all be safe this summer so we can look back fondly on this summer’s memories! For more outdoor safety tips, please visit hawaiianelectric.com.
Dan Kaneko is a digital communications and social media specialist at Hawaiian Electric Company.
