Although the calendar says it’s still a few days away, there’s no denying that summer is here. Can a trip to the emergency room be far behind?

Hospitals around the nation are gearing up for the annual trek of summer sun enthusiasts who try way too hard to enjoy themselves, and not hard enough to protect themselves and their loved ones from the inherent dangers lurking in swimming pools, on family trips and even at picnics.

Not that we want to curb your enthusiasm. Childhood obesity remains a serious problem, and, after all, it is summer (almost). We want you to get out there and partake of all that summer allows. But we also want you to make it to Labor Day. So we’ve created some warning signs to remind you of the dangers out there and give you some ways to stay safe.

YIELD TO SNAKES

As we hit the dusty trails, remember that we share the environment with a lot of animals that are cute and fuzzy, and a few that aren’t. Officials warn that snakes, cold-blooded creatures that must warm themselves in the sun in order to survive, often crawl out in the day to soak up the heat.

Snakes always have the right of way. Give them a wide berth, staying 3 to 4 body lengths away from them to avoid the strike zone. If bitten, seek help immediately. Even if the snake isn’t venomous, you can still get an infection from the bite.

CANNED SODAS

This isn’t one you’re likely to think about, says Dr. Rich O’Brien, an emergency room doctor and spokesman for the American College of Emergency Physicians. But unseen danger lurks in those soda cans.

Bees, wasps, yellow jackets and all sorts of flying menaces are drawn to the sugar in sodas. They land on the opened cans and dip inside for a sip. Then the unsuspecting barbecue guest picks up the can, gulps down the soda along with the insect and, before you can scream “intense pain,” the angry beast is stinging the tongue, throat and anything it can reach.

For people who are allergic to bee stings, the results can be fatal. And even for those who have no allergies, the stinging can cause the tongue and throat to swell, cutting off the flow of air.

O’Brien, who has treated a few unfortunate bee sting victims, says the solution is simple: Don’t serve sodas or other sweetened beverages in cans; use glasses.

ENTERING HELMET ZONE

O’Brien says this one is a no-brainer, for people who want to keep their brains. If they make protective equipment for it, then wear it.

Emergency rooms are littered with patients who have taken tumbles from bikes, skated into trees and taken a header off a skateboard. Broken bones eventually heal, but head injuries can change lives and even end them.

You may just be planning a leisurely bike ride down the street, but that’s why they call them accidents.

BOATING HYPNOSIS

Doctors urge caution around any type of water, be it the great California Delta or your backyard swimming pool. But experts urge particular caution when it comes to boating. The sparkling glimmers on the water combined with the gentle undulation of the waves, the lulling sounds of the board motor and the heat can create a condition known as boating hypnosis.

Boating hypnosis is blamed for a number of accidents each year when boat operators lose sight of things around them and their attention wanders.

O’Brien also encourages boaters to make sure all people on board are wearing a life vest, whether they are champion swimmers or not.

NO FLIP-FLOPS ALLOWED

The ubiquitous flip-flops were designed for one thing: walking from the dressing room to the pool and back. They were not intended for cruising the malls, touring sight-seeing venues or, heaven help us, hiking Yosemite. And yet the minute the rain stops, flip-flops can be seen on sun-deprived tootsies everywhere.

The problem is that flip-flops can trip you, leading to sprains and contusions. And when worn in areas they definitely weren’t intended for, they can lead to broken and smashed toes, serious cuts and sunburns.

If you’ve got some serious walking to do, wear shoes that protect and support you, regardless of fashion.

CUT GRASS, NOT TOES

The temperatures had barely climbed into the 70s when O’Brien treated his first cases of lawn mower injury. O’Brien recommends wearing closed-toe shoes and long pants to protect yourself from flying debris, along with safety glasses.

Never stick your hand _ or any other body part _ beneath a running mower, and when refueling a gas mower, make sure the motor is turned off and has cooled. Spilling gasoline onto a hot engine can cause explosion and flash burns.

FALLING ROCK STARS

Who would have thought Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards would become a role model for safety? But he has. Richards, who suffered a head injury after a fall in Fiji, is a good reminder of what can happen when you least expect it.

O’Brien says he treats a number of patients who have scaled rock walls at climbing gyms and who think they can do it in the great outdoors. Many, not surprisingly, can’t, and the resulting tumbles have caused broken bones and brain injuries.

If you’re climbing rocks, climbing trees or just climbing onto your roof for a better view of the neighbor’s swimming party, remember to use caution, wear protective gear and never climb alone.

NO FIREWORKS ALLOWED

Some states have a ban on fireworks, but that doesn’t stop your neighbors from lighting firecrackers and sending bottle rockets soaring. While most people are aware of the dangers of fireworks, O’Brien says a number of accidents occur each year from things we don’t view as threatening.

Sparklers can cause deep burns and even small firecrackers can create injuries and hearing loss. Bottle rockets can start fires and damage homes.

ALCOHOL, WATER: BAD MIX

Summer isn’t summer without tropical drinks with tiny paper umbrellas, but over-imbibing is perhaps the most dangerous thing you can do, especially if you mix drinking with recreational activities. Swimming or boating while intoxicated is the most dangerous, experts say.

Alcohol slows reactions and lowers body temperature, which can lead to drowning.

PEPTO-BISMOL ZONE

O’Brien treated a man who accidentally left a can of tuna in the trunk of his car during the hottest day of the year. He thought that because the can wasn’t opened, it was protected. The tuna salad he made with it was wonderful; the food poisoning he and his guest got was not.

It’s never a good idea to leave food out of the refrigerator, but it’s even worse in the summer when temperatures soar, turning your lovely picnic repast into a ticket to the emergency room.

Keep foods well chilled at all times and if you have even the slightest doubt about an iffy product, throw it out.

© 2006, Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.).

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