Summer Safety: Ideas for Grilling, Swimming and Beating the Warmth

Before you fireplace up the grill or cool off with a swim this summer season, take a look at these security suggestions.

Swimming Safety

May is National Water Safety Month. Keep these security suggestions in thoughts while you benefit from the state’s seashores, lakes, rivers and swimming pools:

1. Put down the cellphone and watch youngsters always round swimming pools and any physique of water. Movies and TV typically present a drowning baby as flailing. But a drowning baby is extra more likely to slip silently underwater. It will be straightforward to overlook, till it is too late. Learn more about drowning prevention for everyone.
2. Keep swimming pools safe. If you are not utilizing the pool, shut and lock or latch gates or doorways. Never prop a gate or door open, and take away or lock ladders when aboveground swimming pools should not in use.
3. Know the water circumstances. Look for potential hazards like:
   • Strong currents
   • Undertows
   • Sudden adjustments in water depth
   • Algal blooms
4. Stay out of the water if you’re sick with diarrhea or different stomach-related sickness.

More water security suggestions

“Summer should be a time to enjoy North Carolina’s pools, lakes, beaches, parks and outdoor gatherings. By staying alert around water, taking heat seriously and handling food safely, we can help prevent illness, injury and death and keep people safe all summer long.”

Dr. Kelly Kimple
Director of NCDHHS Division of Public Health

Grill sensible: Avoid foodborne sickness this summer season

Stay secure throughout this beloved summer season custom with the following tips:

1. Practice hand hygiene. Wash your fingers with cleaning soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds earlier than and after dealing with uncooked meals or utilizing the grill.
2. Separate uncooked and cooked meals. Prevent the unfold of micro organism by protecting uncooked meats, poultry and seafood separate from cooked meals and ready-to-eat objects.
3. Cook meals totally. Use a meals thermometer to make sure meats are cooked to the appropriate internal temperature. This eliminates any dangerous micro organism.
4. Store leftovers correctly. Refrigerate or freeze leftover meals promptly to stop bacterial development. Consume or discard leftovers inside three to 4 days.
5. Clean and sanitize. Thoroughly clear grill surfaces and utensils earlier than and after every use. This helps to stop cross-contamination and development of dangerous micro organism.

More safe grilling tips

Beat the warmth this summer season

Extreme warmth days — reaching 95 levels Fahrenheit or increased — are on the rise in North Carolina. Sign up to get NC heat health alerts.

From May by way of September 2025, NC recorded greater than 5,700 emergency division visits for heat-related sickness (PDF).

NCDHHS encourages all residents to:

1. Watch for signs of warmth exhaustion or warmth stroke:
   • Nausea
   • Dizziness
   • Headache
   • Confusion
   • Rapid pulse
2. Hydrate and funky down. Move to a cooler space, take sluggish sips of water and get medical assist if signs proceed.
3. Know who’s in danger:
   • Children
   • Older adults
   • Pregnant folks
   • Outdoor employees
   • Athletes
   • People with out air con

7 suggestions for staying cool

 

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