Summer Safety
Living in Florida, we are no strangers to the extreme heat that accompanies the summer months (& beyond!). While longer days and sunny skies invite us outdoors, they also bring unique challenges that can sneak up on us if we're not prepared. This blog is all about staying safe while still enjoying everything summer has to offer. From grilling safety, protecting your skin, and staying hydrated to recognizing the signs of heat-related illness. Check out the tips and information below to help make this a healthy, happy, and safe summer season!
Grilling Safety
Prevention
Don’t Get Burned
There’s nothing like outdoor grilling. It’s one of the most popular ways to cook food. But, a grill placed too close to anything that can catch fire is a hazard. They can be very hot, causing burn injuries.
Apartment Safety
Pitmaster
Who says you can’t enjoy some great grilling because you live in an apartment? Always check with your apartment regulations before you grill.
Grilling Safety
Fire!
Outdoor grilling is a popular way to have fun and cook at the same time. But, if you are not careful, barbecuing can be dangerous. The US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 10,600 home structure and outdoor fires involving grills per year during 2014–2018.
Food 101
Foodborne illness
Cook It Safe
Whether you’re barbecuing or grilling, cooking and eating outdoors in warm weather can be challenging when it comes to food safety. Know your risks and learn how to prevent foodborne illness by exploring the CDC webpage or view the resources below.
Prevention
Keep It Cool
Keep food cold when you carry it to another location. Use an insulated cooler with enough ice or ice packs to keep the food at 40°F or below. Immediately before leaving home, pack food from the refrigerator into the cooler. Keep the cooler in the coolest part of the car.
Internal Temperature
Temp It
Cook food to a safe minimal internal temperature to destroy harmful bacteria. Meat and poultry cooked on a grill often browns very fast on the outside. Use a food thermometer to be sure the food has reached a safe minimum internal temperature.
Picnic Safety
The Outdoors
Picnic and barbecue season offers lots of opportunities for outdoor fun with family and friends. As the weather heats, familiarize yourself with food safety tips like how to prevent foodborne illness, so you and your family can safely enjoy eating outdoors.
Pest Control
Shoo Fly
We love an outdoor party in the summer time. But we don’t want to be bombarded by those pesky flies! If you choose your lights and smells strategically, you are already miles ahead when it comes to keeping flies at a distance.
All things Fireworks
Prevention
What A Bang
Remember, fireworks can be dangerous, causing serious burns and eye injuries. You can help us prevent firework-related injuries and deaths by exploring the firework safety information below.
Keeping your Pet Comfortable
What About Fido
Many animals become frightened by the sudden bright flash of light and loud sounds. These noises can lead to anxiety, uncontrollable shaking, and loss of appetite. Make it less scary for them with the information below.
awareness
PTSD
Summer often brings bright and booming fireworks shows, especially on patriotic holidays like the 4th of July. Yet as beautiful as these light displays are, they can be triggering for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Fun In the sun
Learn
Sunscreen and Sunglasses
Sun safety is always in season! Whether you are barbecuing, enjoying the outdoors, or celebrating the holidays, it is always important to protect your skin from sun damage.
Heat related illness
Being exposed to extreme heat can lead to an increased risk of experiencing heat-related illnesses like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and more. Learn about what signs to look for and first aid treatments below.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating.
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps usually affect workers who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. This sweating depletes the body’s salt and moisture levels. Low salt levels in muscles cause painful cramps. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion.
Hydration tips
Drinking water and beyond!
Approximately 3 out of every 4 Americans are chronically dehydrated, despite the fact that being adequately hydrated is critical for our overall health and wellbeing. So, let's answer some frequently asked questions about hydration in order to help keep you hydrated this summer.
Hydration FAQs
How much water should I drink each day?
How much fluid is best for you depends on a few things, like exercise, body type, environment, preexisting health conditions, but a general rule of thumb is to take in 11.5 cups to 15.5 cups of total fluid each day. This includes fluid from all sources, including water, fruits, vegetables, tea, juice, etc.
Does coffee, tea, fruits, vegetables, and soda count toward my daily water intake?
Yes, however there are better options than others when it comes to meeting your daily fluid intake. For example, soda and juices are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet. While these beverages technically count toward your total fluid intake, they can lead to other problems like weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and more. It’s always best to opt for plain water or infused water when you can.
How does drinking alcohol impact my hydration level?
Drinking alcohol dehydrates you. Within the first 15 minutes after that first sip of alcohol your body starts limiting the hormone that tells your kidneys to hold on to water (ADH). Learn more about alcohol’s effect on the body here.
Caffeine: Is it dehydrating or not?
Research suggests that caffeine is not dehydrating; although it does increase the production of urine, making caffeine a diuretic. Caffeinated drinks are available at all times of the day, so it’s important to read the labels to understand your total caffeine intake. The limit is 400 milligrams a day for adults. Your best bet to staying hydrated is drinking water.
What are some tips to increase my daily water intake?
- Change the temperature to your liking (ice cold, room temp, hot, etc.)
- Infuse water with vegetables, fruits, and herbs to change the flavor
- Keep a colorful water bottle in your line of sight to act as a visual cue
- Have an accountability partner or challenge a friend to also increase their water intake
- Limit sugary beverages like soda and juice
- Eat water-dense fruits and vegetables