Temperatures are rising, which means spending time outdoors will be an increasingly popular option for lots of us.

Enjoy your time outdoors, but remember that good health habits and some common sense can help to maximize the fun.  Here are a few tips for you to consider.  

Warmer, sunny weather means shorts, tank tops and swimsuits may well be the order of the day.  A little sun is nice, but don’t forget to protect your skin against potentially dangerous UVA and UVB rays. 

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers and 65 percent of melanomas are caused by exposure to UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. Fortunately, there are at least four things you can do to protect yourself from this exposure risk.  

Avoid lengthy exposures between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.  Use liberal amounts of broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher), and don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen every hour or two.  You can also minimize your risk by wearing hats and other protective clothing.  

Will you be planning a trip to the local pool or water park?  Americans will make millions of trips to recreational water venues this summer.  Unfortunately, some of those trips will result in unpleasant illnesses.  Once again, there are things you can do to protect yourself and the entire family as well. 

More than 60 percent of illnesses linked to public swimming pools, water parks and beaches are caused by cryptosporidium, a chlorine-resistant parasite that can produce diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and fever from two-to-10 days after becoming infected.  Dehydration caused by many recreational water illnesses can be serious for infants, children, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immunity.  

Potentially dangerous pathogens are introduced to recreational water by swimmers who are ill with diarrhea.  Healthy swimmers are exposed when they swallow contaminated water. 

Avoiding the water when you feel ill, or are recovering from a recent illness, helps to prevent others from getting sick.  Persons with diarrhea should avoid swimming for two weeks.  Swimmers should always avoid swallowing water and should always shower before entering a pool or spa.

Frequent and thorough hand washing is also a requisite.  Remember that hand washing is always the single most important thing we can do to protect our health.  

If picnics figure prominently in your summer plans, remember that food safety is a must in the outdoors. Take extra precautions when preparing, cooking or storing food.  Ignoring simple safety guidelines enhance the potential for foodborne illnesses.  

Hand washing is especially important before, during and after handling raw fish, poultry, or meat.  If running water isn’t available, use hand wipes with alcohol, or alcohol-based hand sanitizers to help insure clean hands.  

Avoid the potential for cross contamination by using clean utensils for each food item you prepare.  Knives used in the preparation of meat, fish or poultry can easily transfer bacteria to other foods you’re planning to prepare later.  Cutting boards can also harbor bacteria and should be cleaned frequently.  

Be sure to wash fresh fruit and vegetables under cold running water before preparation.  Fruits and vegetables should be wrapped and stored in separate containers to avoid potential contamination from raw meat, poultry or seafood.  

Fish, poultry and other meats should always be completely thawed before cooking begins.  Thorough cooking is vital.  

The center of cooked hamburger patties should never be pink and all juices should run clear.  As a rule, cook hamburger and ribs to 160 degrees.  Ground poultry should be cooked to 165 degrees and poultry parts should be cooked to 180 degrees.  

Marinade at the time of grilling. Never re-use marinades.  

Put food away as soon as possible after eating.  Bring an extra cooler to the picnic and make sure it contains plenty of ice.  Put leftovers in the cooler right away and keep the cooler out of the sun.  

The National Centers for Disease Control are a great resource for outdoor safety tips.  Visit their website at www.cdc.gov.

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