SPRINGFIELD
- As
we head into the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Illinois Department of Public
Health Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. urges residents to take a few easy
steps to help avoid injury and illness during the summer.
“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
·
Be aware of heat exhaustion symptoms: heavy
sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, clammy skin, pale
or flushed complexion, and fast and shallow breathing
o
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
o
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 people and pets for ticks 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.
###
Melaney
Arnold
Illinois Department of Public Health
Illinois Department of Public Health
Public
Information Officer
(217) 558-0500
melaney.arnold@illinois.gov
(217) 558-0500
melaney.arnold@illinois.gov
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