The summer weather is finally here and I couldn’t be more excited! I am looking forward to Milwaukee Brewer baseball games, lounging by the lake, and grilling out. Unfortunately, there is sure to be a handful of bacteria that could potentially make you or someone you know sick. Remember these helpful tips when enjoying the nice summer weather to ensure that you don’t end up spending time cooped up indoors.
1. Heat Things Up
Planning to grill outdoors at all this summer? If so, make sure to cook cuts of meat to an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Ground meat should reach 160 degrees, 165 degrees for poultry. The temperature of the meat is important to ensure food-borne bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella are killed when cooked! Also, remember to keep meat hot until it's time to eat, and don't let it sit out for more than two hours; one hour if it's hotter than 90 degrees out.
2. Keep It Cool
Have any potlucks or picnics to attend? Summer staples such as potato salad and coleslaw can turn a picnic sour if they get too warm. Use ice or frozen gel packs to keep cold food below 40 degrees until it's time to eat. And once it's served, don't let it sit out for more than two hours; one hour if it's hotter than 90 degrees out.
3. Keep Cuts Under Wraps
Summer is bound to bring scrapes and bruises. Clean cuts with clean water, rub a small amount of antibiotic ointment on the cut, and then quickly cover it with a bandage. If the bandage gets wet, take it off and dry the skin before replacing it with a fresh one; check to see whether the skin around the scrape is red or puffy, signs that it might be infected. If infected, call your doctor right away to get treated.
4. Throw in the Towel
Bacteria love dark, damp places, rolled up beach towels included. Make sure to hang towels and swim trunks up so they can dry thoroughly. Also, don't forget to launder them. Getting wet is not the same as getting washed!
5. Be Prepared for Public Bathrooms
Busy parks and beaches mean heavy traffic through public bathrooms. Be prepared for an empty toilet paper roll or paper towels. Bring along hand sanitizer and some tissue just in case!
Other Summer Safety Tips
● Stay protected from the sun and the heat by wearing sunscreen.
● Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
● Be careful around water. About 10 people die each day from unintentional drowning, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making it the sixth leading cause of unintentional injury death.
Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Germs/germs-summer-protect-seasons-invisible-bugs/story?id=13742430