Summer is here! It’s the season for enjoying nature, family, delicious summer foods, and outdoor activities!
While we’re having summer fun, we still need to be mindful of safety. Stay safe and prepare for these activities.
Food Safety
Grilled and picnic foods are some of the best things about summer. To keep your loved ones safe, practice the following food safety tips from the American Red Cross:
- Wash your hands with warm soapy water for approximately 20 seconds prior to preparing your food. Use clean utensils in a clean workstation.
- Keep foods separate, such as uncooked meats, poultry, and seafood away from ready-to-eat foods such as cheeses, vegetables, fruits and desserts.
- Prevent cross-contamination by using separate plates and utensils.
- Provide hand sanitizer for your guests if you’re at a facility that doesn’t have handwashing facilities.
- Bring a thermometer to check and ensure foods are cooked and held at the proper temperatures for that specific food type.
Fight the Bite
Prevent mosquito and tick bites. Mosquitos carry and can transmit multiple diseases including West Nile virus. Ticks transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSE). To keep mosquitos and ticks away:
- Apply insect repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and pants.
- Use mosquito netting for protection when in outdoor structures.
- Drain standing water from buckets, flowerpots, tires, bird baths, children’s pools, etc.
- Walk in the center of trails to avoid ticks.
Sun Safety
Enjoy the warmth and summer sunshine while protecting yourself. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend:
- When spending time outdoors, hydrate with water first for thirst!
- Reduce the risk of sun damage and skin cancer by taking cover under shade provided by an umbrella, tree, or other shelter.
- Wear dark, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and skirts to protect the skin. Use hats to protect your face, ears, and neck, and sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays.
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15 or higher.
Water Safety
Swimming with family and friends is an exciting summer activity. Not only is it fun-filled, but it’s great exercise, as well! Practice water safety through the following tips from the National Drowning Prevention Alliance:
- Swim only in areas designated for swimming.
- When in doubt, get out. If you’re fatigued or the weather is worsening, listen to your gut and get out of the water.
- Check the weather and water conditions and plan accordingly.
- Never swim alone.
- Choose the right equipment—wear a wetsuit in cold waters, protect your eyes using goggles, etc.
- Understand currents—riptides are powerful and can pull you into the ocean. If you find yourself stuck in a riptide, swim parallel to the shore to pull yourself out of it. Trying to swim towards the shore in a riptide can cause exhaustion.
- Refrain from alcohol. Alcohol inhibits perceptions of danger.
- Young children and inexperienced swimmers should wear United States Coast Guard (USCG)-approved life vests in water.
- Create an emergency plan—tell someone where you are going, ensure someone is watching from the shore, etc.
As new parents, my husband and I try to stay prepared when traveling with our son. We pack a diaper bag with all of the essentials–changes of clothes, diapers, wipes, a sippy cup, a first aid kit, etc. We can do the same and prepare for summer.
Prepare today. Pack a summer safety bag with insect repellent, sunscreen, hats, a change of clothes, bottled water, a life vest, and other swimming gear. Have fun and keep loved ones safe by practicing summer safety!
