ODH Director: Take Proper Precautions When Enjoying Summer Activities

COLUMBUS - Memorial Day weekend signals the traditional start of summer, and by taking a few precautions, Ohioans can safely enjoy the warm weather and outdoor activities.

"Summer in Ohio is such a great time to get outside and be active," said Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA. "But spending time in the heat and sun, going swimming or having a picnic or cookout all require us to be mindful of some basic health and safety issues."

DOWNLOADABLE VIDEO: Dr. Vanderhoff discusses summer safety tips.

Sun and Heat Safety

Protect yourself from sunburn and long-term skin damage by following these guidelines:

• Apply sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher and re-apply as directed. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies 6 months or younger.

• Wear protective clothing such as lightweight long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious conditions that can send you to the hospital. To avoid this:

• Stay hydrated. Don't wait until you are thirsty to start drinking water, and avoid alcohol or caffeine, as these can add to dehydration.

• Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, such as headache, nausea, muscle cramps and heavy sweating. Move to a cooler area and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.

• Check on elderly loved ones or neighbors, especially if they live alone, as they are more vulnerable to extreme heat.

For more information on heat safety and heat-related illnesses, visit Extreme Heat on the ODH website.

Water Safety

Drownings can happen fast, and it is the second-leading accidental cause of death nationally for children ages 1 to 4.

The most important thing you can do is "be a water watcher" - keep a close eye on kids and avoid distractions.

Other water safety tips include:

• Keep the pool secured when not in use.

• Everyone should wear a well-fitting life jacket when boating.

For more information, visit ODH's Safe Swimming and Drowning Prevention webpage.

Food Safety

For picnics, potlucks or cookouts, the most important thing to remember is to keep foods out of the "danger zone," in which harmful bacteria grow quickly.

The danger zone is food temperatures between 40 degrees and 135 degrees. It's vital to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Any leftovers that have been in this danger zone for two hours should be thrown away.

Other tips include:

• When grilling, use a food thermometer and cook ground beef to 160 degrees and poultry to 165 degrees.

• Practice good food hygiene. Wash hands, utensils and surfaces often when preparing food.

For more, visit ODH's Food Safety at Home webpage.

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About the Ohio Department of Health

The Ohio Department of Health's mission is advancing the health and well-being of all Ohioans. ODH is transforming the state's public health system through unique partnerships and funding streams, implementing data-driven, evidence-based solutions. For more, visit the Ohio Department of Health website, which offers a range of public health information, tools, and resources.