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Stay safe this summer and enjoy the water by following these safety tips:

• Learn how to swim. You and your children must learn to swim. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children ages 1 to 4.
• Supervise children. Stay alert when children are in or around water. Consider safety features such as fences, locks, pool covers and pool alarms.
• Use the buddy system. Bring a friend when you head into the water.
• Exercise caution. Follow the rules of the beach or pool. Stay within your depth and comfort level in the water, and swim in designated areas only.
• Wear a life jacket. Flotation devices, such as life jackets, can save lives. Do not rely on air-filled or foam toys such as water wings, noodles or inner tubes, as these are not safety devices.
• Know the risks of alcohol. Drinking alcohol or taking drugs can interfere with your judgment and coordination, making swimming very risky.
• Learn CPR. Knowing how to perform CPR can be a lifesaving skill.

Let the grilling begin!

5 tips for safer, healthier cookouts

Nothing says summertime like a cookout. To keep your food healthy and safe, be sure to:

1. Pass on charring. Cooking food at higher temperatures produces chemicals linked to cancer.
2. Go lean. Instead of fatty steaks, burgers or hotdogs, try grilling leaner cuts of beef, chicken breasts or turkey burgers.
3. Pile on the veggies. Who says you even have to grill meat? Instead, try grilling an array of fresh and colorful vegetables.
4. Use a food thermometer. It's the only way to know when meats are cooked to a safe internal temperature (high enough to destroy any harmful bacteria). That's 145 degrees for fish and red meat; 160 degrees for ground meats; and 165 degrees for poultry.
5. Avoid the danger zone. Bacteria grow rapidly in the temperature zone between 40 and 140 degrees. So always thaw and marinate meats in the fridge—never on a counter or by the grill. You can thaw meat safely in cold water or a microwave if you cook it immediately.

Categories: Summer Safety