BeeHealthy
Safety tips for a healthy summer

At the height of the summer season, poison control centers across the country answer more than 6,600 poison emergency calls per day, 1,000 more per day than during the month of January.

Calls originate from food poisoning to insect bites to plant toxicity. Your Western New York Poison Control Center, located at Women & Children's Hospital, is a resource available to you 24/7 to ensure your summer safety.

All calls are confidential and free of charge.

Here is a breakdown of summer safety tips:

Food poisoning:

Food poisoning is more prevalent during the summer for a couple of reasons. Bacteria in the environment grow faster in the warm summer months, especially in temperatures ranging from 90 to 110 degrees.

Harmful bacteria can quickly multiply in these temperatures to large numbers, resulting in poisoning.

Second is the human factor due to an increase in outside activities. More people cook outside at picnics, barbecues and on camping trips.

Tips to safer food and a safer you:

•Wash hands and surfaces often with hot, soapy water.

•If a water supply is not available, use a commercial hand sanitizer.

•Keep raw meat securely wrapped in the ice chest. Keep the raw meat juices away from ready-to-eat food, like fruits and vegetables.

•Store food cold at 40 degrees to prevent bacterial growth.

•Cook all meat and poultry at the outing only.

•Food left out of proper refrigeration or storage for more than 2 hours may not be safe to eat.

•Always keep food packed with ice in a cooler kept in the shade.

Bug bites:

Most bug and insect bites are seen simply as a warm weather nuisance. But the bites can be very serious, depending on whether it is a local reaction or an allergic reaction.

Should you or your child have a reaction to an insect bite, the most common effects are pain, redness and swelling where you were bitten.

A call to the Western New York Poison Control Center for this exposure is recommended. Typically, you will be advised to apply ice on the bite to control the swelling.

If swelling does not diminish within a couple of days, you will be advised to see your physician, who can determine if medication is required to help with the discomfort.

To minimize unnecessary exposure to bugs and insects, remember to:

•Have children wear shoes and light-colored clothing.

•Avoid dressing in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.

•Stay away from using sweet fragrances, scented soaps and hair spray, all of which tend to attract insects.

•Avoid areas where insects congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, near uncovered foods and flowering gardens.

•Use insect repellent sparingly and never on infants. Apply once daily and wash areas thoroughly before reapplying. Never spray on a wound or on broken skin.

•Stay indoors at dusk, dawn and in the early evening hours.

Dangers in your garden:

Most consumers are stunned to realize that their gardens include a panoply of potentially dangerous plants. Children and pets are the most at risk.

Since so many of the garden plants are highly colorful, children are attracted to them and may be tempted to taste the toxic flowers.

In case of accidental ingestion of outdoor plants, call the Poison Control Center immediately. Most poisonings are avoidable and can be managed at home. Better safe than sorry.

For more information, call (800) 222-1222.