Dangers abound during the summer, from food poisoning to injuries from fireworks. Follow these tips to stay safe.

Summer is here and millions of Americans will be spending time outdoors or splashing around in the pool. And between swimming, surfing, hiking, biking, grilling and camping there may also be an unplanned trip to the hospital.

O Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that emergency department (also known as emergency room) visit rates for heat-related illnesses increased substantially in several regions of the U.S. last summer compared to those in previous years. And nearly 1 million children in the U.S. arrived at the emergency room between June and August last year due to injuries caused by swimming pools, fireworks and lawn games, according to a report from SafeHome.org.

Before you head to your next barbecue, bonfire, or beach trip, learn about these five summer health hazards and how to avoid them so you don’t ruin your fun in the sun.

Heat illness

Dehydration combined with long hours in the hot sun — especially as millions of Americans across the country face record-breaking temperatures — can cause heat exhaustion, also known as heat illness. “Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, and both of these symptoms warn that the body is overheating,” Dr. Joshua Feinstein, an emergency medicine physician with Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, told Yahoo Life. Other common symptoms include muscle cramps, fatigue, headache and dizziness.

Heatstroke is a much more serious condition and occurs when the body temperature exceeds 104°F. Confusion, headache, nausea, vomiting and red skin are typical signs of this heat-related illness. “If left untreated, the person is exposed to brain, kidney, heart and/or muscle damage,” says Feinstein.

How to stay safe

If you must be outdoors for long periods of time, it’s important to find a cool spot, either in the shade or indoors, and take frequent breaks, advises Feinstein. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and stay hydrated. “Drink about 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes” when outdoors, he suggests. “This will help with the moisture loss you will feel when sweating. Avoid alcohol, as well as drinks high in sugar and caffeine.” He also recommends consuming sports drinks to replenish electrolytes.

“Recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat illness and dehydration – and taking quick action in an emergency – will give you a better chance of enjoying a healthy summer,” he says.

Food poisoning

Suffering from food poisoning is a common summer problem – it can cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea after eating foods that contain germs, such as bacteria, viruses or parasites, Dr. Bento Ifedifamily and sports medicine doctor at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Katy Primary Care & Sports Medicine, told Yahoo Life.

“Food poisoning is more likely in the summer due to the fact that food-borne bacterial growth factors have temperatures between 90℉ and 110℉,” says Ifedi. Bacteria flourish in a warm, moist environment, which explains why harmful germs can multiply quickly in food, he notes. According to American Osteopathic Association (AOA), an estimated 48 million Americans – 1 in 6 – fall ill from food poisoning every year.

As for foods that fall into the high-risk category, the AOA reports that undercooked chicken comes first, followed by fresh produce, meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, mayonnaise, dairy and ready-to-eat foods. . “Additionally, there is also a greater likelihood of cross-contamination, especially when cooking at picnics or barbecues if you use the same materials for preparation, such as the same cutting board for meat and vegetables,” says Ifedi.

Depending on the type of infection, food poisoning can last up to 48 hours and, in some cases, intravenous fluids and antibiotics may be needed, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

How to stay safe

Ifedi offers countless ways to prevent food from spoiling during the sweltering season. “Keep raw meat, poultry and seafood cold until ready to grill, in the refrigerator or in an insulated cooler below 40°F,” he says. Place leftovers in the freezer or refrigerator within two hours of cooking (or one hour if the outside temperature reaches 90°F or higher), separate raw foods from cooked foods, and use different utensils when working with raw and prepared foods.

Before enjoying the sweet taste of fresh summer produce, wash your fruits and vegetables as well as your hands thoroughly. “Wash your hands before handling any food, as well as after touching raw meat, poultry or seafood,” says Ifedi. “Use soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Also, be sure to clean work surfaces, utensils, and the grill before and after cooking.

Lastly, place a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat and poultry to ensure it is cooked through to kill germs. Here are the minimum internal temperatures for different meats:

• Beef, pork, lamb and veal (steaks, roasts, chops): 145℉ (63℃) resting 3 minutes for medium rare, 160℉ (71℃) for medium rare

• Ground beef, pork, lamb and veal (burgers, hot dogs, sausages): 160℉ (71℃)

• Poultry (whole, breasts, thighs, ground): 165°F (74°C)

• Fish (whole, fillet): 145°F (63°C) or until flesh is no longer translucent

• Shrimp, lobster, crab and scallops: Cook until the flesh is pearly or white and opaque

Additionally, if juice from raw meat comes into contact with any other food, it is important to also cook it to a minimum internal temperature of 165℉ to kill bacteria.

Kidney stones

Although genetics increase the risk of developing kidney stones – hard, pebble-like materials that form in one or both kidneys when high levels of certain chemicals are present in urine – not drinking enough fluids is another common culprit. A study published in American Journal of Kidney Diseases found that emergency room visits for kidney stones (as well as other kidney problems) increased during the warmer months.

Here’s why: Low fluid intake can lead to the excretion of less urine, followed by concentrated urine, as explained by researchers in Turkish Journal of Urology. As a result, this can cause mineral oversaturation that leads to the formation of kidney stones.

Other factors that may increase the likelihood of developing kidney stones include taking certain medications over a period of time, including water pills, calcium-based antacids and anti-seizure medications, according to the National Institute of Health.

How to stay safe

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. In addition to drinking water throughout the day, consider adding foods with a high water content to your plate, such as watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, pineapple, oranges, peaches and strawberries.

Kidney stones can vary in size and cause at least one of the following symptoms, including severe pain in the lower back, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, blood in the urine, cloudy urine, foul-smelling urine, and stomach pain that Don’t don’t go away, according to the National Kidney Foundation. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Drowning

Not surprisingly, most drownings and near-drownings occur between May and August, according to statistics from the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and National Safety Council. O World Health Organization (WHO) reports that drowning is the second leading cause of death from unintentional injuries in children ages 1 to 14 in the U.S.

But children and teenagers are not the only ones affected. Studies indicate that men are more likely to be hospitalized for non-fatal drownings and have twice the overall mortality rate. The WHO adds that research suggests that increased exposure to water and risky behaviors such as boating, swimming alone and swimming after drinking alcohol contribute to high rates of drowning in men.

How to stay safe

For starters, don’t swim alone. “Always swim with a friend, especially at night,” Dr John Whyte, internist and medical director of WebMD, told Yahoo Life. Regardless of your age, consider signing up for swimming lessons as it can increase confidence in the water.

“Knowing how to swim can significantly reduce the risk of drowning,” he says. “I think people think they can swim, but their skills are very basic. And many people never learn a lesson and overestimate their abilities.” In addition to swimming, Whyte encourages children and adults to learn water safety skills such as floating and treading water, as well as exiting the water safely.

“Life jackets are essential for young children, inexperienced swimmers and anyone participating in water sports,” says Whyte. “It is important to wear a life jacket whenever you are on a boat, regardless of swimming ability, as accidents can happen unexpectedly.” Also, make sure life jackets are the right size.

Stay out of the pool, lake and sea if you have consumed alcohol, and never leave children alone near a body of water. “Even if they are experienced swimmers, an adult should always be within arm’s reach,” adds Whyte.

Fireworks injuries

With many places in the US relaxing laws on consumers buying fireworks, accidents involving these explosives have increased. A study published in Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Opens found that the majority of victims are children and young male adults, while the highest percentage of injuries occur during the Fourth of July and New Year’s holidays.

Additional research published in 2023 reported that the overall incidence rate of fireworks-related injuries has increased more than 17% over the past decade, with the upper extremities (more than 41%), head and neck (36%), and lower extremities (almost 14%) being the most affected. injured regions. The most significant injuries requiring hospitalization most often occur during the use of aerial devices and illegal fireworks.

How to stay safe

“Remember, ‘fire’ is in the word, so you need to take it seriously,” emphasizes Whyte. If someone in your group insists on having a private show, light one firework at a time and return quickly.

“Never lean over fireworks when lighting them,” he says. “If a firework doesn’t explode, don’t try to relight it.” Everyone needs to maintain a safe distance from any fireworks set off — 25 to 40 feet for land-based items and 75 to 100 feet for aerial products, Whyte says.

Another safety precaution: Have a hose, bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby when setting off fireworks to help quickly extinguish any accidental fires. “After using fireworks, soak them in water before disposing of them to prevent residual sparks from causing a fire,” he says.

The bottom line is that fireworks are dangerous, so the best injury prevention tip would be to refrain from using them (not to mention that selling and lighting fireworks is illegal in some states).

“Personally, I leave it to the professionals,” says Whyte. “Enjoy fireworks by participating in professional displays, which are safer and more spectacular than DIY fireworks. Professional displays are conducted by licensed and trained operators who understand how to safely handle fireworks.”