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 “During the Fourth of July holiday, many people have plans for
picnics and pool time. I would like to remind everyone that taking a
few simple precautions can help prevent foodborne illness, heat
exhaustion and insect bites,” said Director Shah.
FOOD SAFETY – for cookouts and picnics, temperature is key to
avoiding foodborne illness.
- Wash hands with soap and water and keep surfaces clean
- Keep hot food hot and cold food cold
- Make sure all meat and poultry are properly cooked
- Refrigerate leftovers within two hours, and if you have
doubts, throw it out
- Use separate cutting boards, plates and utensils for raw
meats, and a clean plate and utensils when taking food off the
grill
- Wash fruits and vegetables
Know the symptoms of most types of food poisoning, which
include severe cramps, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
and bloody diarrhea. Symptoms can begin from 30 minutes to three
or more days after eating contaminated food. If symptoms are
severe or last longer than two days, contact a doctor or health
care provider.
WATER AND SWIMMING SAFETY – whether at the beach, on the
lake or in a swimming pool, use safety precautions.
- Supervise young children around water
- Always use life jackets and secure personal flotation
devices
- Avoid alcohol while supervising children and before or
during swimming, boating, or waterskiing
- Shower before entering a swimming pool and do not swim
when ill with diarrhea
- Be aware of the local weather conditions and forecast,
especially watch for thunderstorms with lightening
- Pay attention to lifeguards and posted instructions
SUN AND HEAT – guard against sunburn and heat
illness.
- Never leave anyone, including pets, alone in a
closed, parked vehicle
- Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes
before going outside
- Increase fluid intake - drink more liquid than
thirst indicates; avoid alcohol and caffeine
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loosing-fitting
clothing
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- Be aware of heat exhaustion symptoms: heavy sweating,
weakness, dizziness, nausea, clammy skin, pale or flushed
complexion, and fast and shallow breathing
If present, be sure to move the person to a cooler place;
remove or loosen tight clothing; apply cool, wet cloths; and
give cool water to slowly drink
- Be aware of heat stroke symptoms - hot, dry skin,
hallucinations, chills, throbbing headache, high body
temperature, confusion/dizziness and slurred speech
If present, be sure to call 911; quickly cool the person in
a cool bath or wrap wet sheets around them; if the victim
refuses water, is vomiting or shows a decreased level of
consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink
TICKS AND MOSQUITOES – whether camping, hiking or
in the backyard, guard against insect illnesses. Mosquitoes
can transmit West Nile virus and ticks can transmit Lyme
disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis and
other serious infections.
- WEAR INSECT REPELLENT. Apply insect repellent that
contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR
3535, according to label instructions
- Avoid being outside during prime mosquito-biting
hours, dusk to dawn
- Avoid tick-infested areas, such as the woods and
high grasses
- Check for ticks, both people and pets, every 2 to 3
hours
- Remove ticks attached to the body promptly to help
prevent diseases. Use tweezers to remove the tick and
call a health care provider if a rash, fever or body
aches develop during the 1 to 3 weeks following a bite.
- Check with a veterinarian about preventing tickborne
diseases in pets as they can carry ticks into the home
For more information about summer safety, check out
our “Summer? No Sweat. A Summer Survival Guide” at
www.dph.illinois.gov.
[Illinois Department of Public
Health]
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