Summer hazards to watch for

Martha’s Vineyard, MA - Edgartown fire chief Peter Shemeth said a man was apparently digging a hole between six and eight feet deep in the beach at Norton Point when the sand collapsed in around him

He was using one small shovel to dig the hole and he had “no idea” why he was digging. The man’s friends were able to clear the sand around his face and ran down the beach to get help from Trustees of Reservations personnel.

Trustees of Reservations Vineyard superintendent Chris Kennedy said that at about 3 p.m. Thursday, a young woman came running to the Trustees gatehouse to tell the two rangers on duty that a friend had been digging a hole in the sand that collapsed. The rangers responded and 911 was notified. About 10 minutes later the first responders were on the scene.

Extrication took about 20 minutes. Sand removed from around the trapped person was put in the hole dug by the backhoe. Once enough was cleared away, they used shovels, and then hands when close to the body, to remove the sand. Once enough was cleared away, a strap was placed underneath the man’s arms for leverage, and he was removed along with the man’s help.

The man was transported to the hospital to be checked out. The man did not appear to be injured, but the chief said medical attention was important because of the amount of pressure on the body and chest and the possibility of sand in the airway.

Digging in the sand is a fun beach activity that can quickly turn dangerous.

Researchers found 52 cases of sand-hole collapses in the United States and three other countries -- Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand. Sixty percent of the victims -- 31 people -- died, while many of the others needed rescuing and CPR.

Of the 52 fatal and non-fatal cases reported, victims ranged from 3 to 21 years of age, with an average age of 12. Most victims (87 percent) were boys.

Sand collapses occur in ordinary holes that people dig -- some only a few feet deep -- and in tunnels that collapse. In some cases, people fall into existing holes and the sand collapses around them.

In many cases, parents and others have a hard time figuring out where the victims are because the sand collapses and leaves no sign of them.

Sand collapses occur most often at beaches, but they can happen at other places like lakes or even backyards.

What to do? Have common sense: Don't dig holes that are deeper than your knees when you're standing up in them; this rule goes for kids as well as adults. And if you dig a big hole, cover it up when you leave.

Second degree burns from Limes

A MAN MAKING MARGARITAS GETS SECOND-DEGREE BURNS FROM LIMES LEFT IN THE SUN 

A rare and painful skin reaction left a Florida man with second-degree burns from lime juice. The technical name for the skin reaction is Phytophotodermatitis, a toxic reaction resulting from citric acid mixed with sunlight.

More common in Florida, especially around summer holidays when lime juice is often used for mixed drinks.

Man was squeezing limes to make margaritas in his backyard the Sunday before Memorial Day, never suspecting that the lime juice on his hands would turn toxic under the sun.

The next night, burns started to appear, and by Tuesday he woke up to a huge blister on his hand.

Man was rushed to the emergency room where he was diagnosed with second-degree burns.

The burning and blistering is caused by the reaction of chemicals in certain plants when exposed to ultraviolet light.

In addition to limes, other foods that can set it off include celery, parsley and parsnips.

Symptoms typically develop about 24 hours after exposure and peak another day or two later. The solution: Just be cautious -- make your margaritas inside and away from the sun.

Summer hazard: Lightning 

A MAN IS HIT BY LIGHTNING WHILE RIDER HIS 4-WHEELER

Mover Memorial Day weekend – 34 year old man and some friends had spent the weekend near Idaho City, Idaho, camping and riding four-wheelers and dirt bikes. They were riding, and it started raining and then all of a sudden it started hailing pretty heavily so they stopped

The man got off his four-wheeler, went under a tree to protect himself from the hail, leaned up against the tree, was looking at a map on his phone, and that is when it all happened.

He was struck on his head by a bolt of lightning that exited out his back.

In the hospital, man had bleeding in his brain, but as of Wednesday he was alert, eating and walking.

Doctors are unsure about how the accident will affect the man’s health in the long run. Certain long-term effects can include burns, vision loss and personality changes.

Lightning strikes claim about 50 lives each year, according to the National Weather Service.

How to avoid getting struck by lightning:

o If the weather forecast calls for thunderstorms, postpone trips and outdoor activities

o When you hear thunder, go indoors. Find a safe, enclosed shelter. If you can hear thunder, you’re close enough to be hit by lightning

o Avoid shelter under an isolated tree

o Stay away from concrete floors or walls. They often contain metal wires or bars, which can conduct electricity from a lightning strike.

o Don’t use a corded telephone, because it can conduct electricity as well. If you need to call someone, use a wireless handset or a cell phone.

o Avoid ponds, pools, lakes and other bodies of water