Summer Safety

The temperatures in Chicagoland have finally started going up.  That means there are some things we all need to do in order to keep ourselves and our families safe this summer. Here are a few:

• Protect our skin: it's important to use sunscreen while outdoors, even on cloudy days.  Sunscreens should block UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of at least 30. Additional precautions should be taken when you're out in the water, and with younger children.
• Be mindful around water: always make sure to watch children closely, and do not allow them to swim alone. Follow directions on any posted signs, pay attention to flags and alerts, and stay close to lifeguard stations.
• Watch those mosquitos: increases in the number of cases of the Zika and West Nile viruses have become a concern for many of us. When out walking in grassy or damp areas, or anywhere mosquitos are likely to be present, make sure to wear long clothing and use insect repellent.
• Practice food safety: picnics and outdoor barbeques can mean a higher likelihood of foodborne illness when foods are left out too long in the summer heat, or cross-contamination occurs. Make sure that food is left out no longer than 2 hours (1 hour if the outside temperature is 90 degrees or higher). Keep raw meat, poultry, and similar foods separate, and do not reuse platters or cutting boards until they're washed. 

There are many other summer safety considerations such as the importance of staying hydrated, watching out for poisonous plants while hiking, fire safety when camping, etc. Search Lifeworks (Illinois Tech's Employee Assistance Program), Blue Cross Blue Shield's wellness resources, or this list from the National Safety Council for additional things you may want to think about.

Stay safe this summer!


Article by Viktoria Rill
Additional Sources:
Lifeworks article Summer Safety Tips (note this link will require login using Illinois Tech's user ID and password, which can be found on the HR Portal Employee Assistance Program page)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Eating Outdoors, Handling Food Safely