Health Tips for June 9

Health Tip: Bike Safely

Biking is great exercise -- not to mention a lot of fun. But a nasty spill can ruin your fun, so it's important to protect yourself every time you pedal.

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these safety recommendations:

• Always bike with a helmet, no matter how short the trip.
• Wear sunglasses, which also helps prevent eye irritation from dirt and bugs.
• Choose outfits that are bright and easy for others to see. Avoid riding at night.
• Bike with padded gloves to help prevent hand injuries.
• Wear padded biking shorts, and use a padded or comfortable bike seat.

Health Tip: Fire Safety for Seniors

People 85 and older are five times more likely than younger people to die in a fire, the FireSafety.gov Web site warns.

Here's the site's list of why seniors are at increased risk of death or injury in a fire:

• Seniors' reflexes and response times are not always as fast as those of younger people.
• Medications that many seniors take may impact reflexes and decision-making abilities.
• Seniors who live alone don't have the help they need to prevent and react to factors that cause fires, including cooking and accidents.
• Unsafe use of cigarettes and other smoking materials is a common cause of fires involving seniors.
• Improperly used or maintained heating equipment, such as wood-burning stoves or electric space heaters, are a frequent cause of fires involving older people.
• Wiring problems in older homes are another significant cause of fires.