Get ready for extreme heat. Researchers warn that climate change will soon trigger more severe summers across the United States. Heat waves — the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States — have increased in number and severity in recent decades. The new analysis of heat wave patterns predicts that is about to… read on >
One-third of young adults in the United States have been in a vehicle with a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs, a new study finds. Riding with a marijuana-impaired driver was more common than riding with an alcohol-impaired driver, researchers found. “We’ve put a lot of emphasis on drinking and driving, but less effort on… read on >
With spring allergy season just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how to deal with your symptoms, experts say. “Bottom line, very few people suffer from the same allergies or symptoms,” Dr. Bradley Chipps, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), said in a news release from the… read on >
Snow shoveling is a factor in thousands of injuries and as many as 100 deaths in the United States each year. The National Safety Council suggests how to shovel safely: Do not shovel after eating or while smoking. Take it slow and stretch out before you begin. Shovel only fresh, powdery snow; it’s lighter Push… read on >
Just because it’s not summer doesn’t mean you’re safe from sun-related skin damage. “The highest level of concern is usually during the summer months, but sun damage can occur year-round, even on cloudy or rainy days,” said dermatologist Dr. Sarah Taylor, an assistant professor at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C. “In fact,… read on >
Driver fatigue causes many more car accidents in the United States than previously estimated, a new report suggests. The finding comes from an analysis of several months’ worth of video recordings taken of nearly 3,600 Americans while they were driving. During that time, participating drivers were involved in 700 accidents. All participants’ vehicles had been… read on >
Don’t count on physicians to keep drivers with dementia off the roads, a new study cautions. In-person license renewal and driver vision testing laws are more effective than mandatory doctor reporting of patients with dementia, researchers found. “The results of our study point to age-based licensing requirements as an effective way to improve safety,” said… read on >
Winter can be harsh on your skin, especially your hands and face. Try these fast, easy and inexpensive steps to avoid the chapping and flaking that comes with the season. Resist taking hot showers and long soaks, both of which remove your skin’s natural oil barrier, causing it to dry out more easily, suggests the… read on >
Seniors are at heightened risk of hypothermia, the medical term for low body temperature. Older adults lose body heat faster than when they were younger, the U.S. National Institute on Aging says. Hypothermia occurs when a person’s body temperature drops to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Typical warning signs include slowed or slurred speech, sleepiness… read on >
Many workplace vehicles have backup alarms, but the alarms don’t prevent backover accidents altogether. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) suggests how to help prevent backover accidents: Ensure that trained spotters use hand signals to alert drivers about when it’s safe to proceed. Drivers should remain in visual contact with spotters while backing… read on >
