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Sun and Heat Safety
Protect yourself from sunburn and long-term skin damage by following these guidelines:
- Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply 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:
- Never swim alone.
- 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 to advance 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.
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