NORTH DAKOTA ( KXNET ) — Camping, swimming, sports, and other summer activities are in full swing.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) has a few tips and reminders to make sure everyone is enjoying a healthy and safe summer.

Safety Outdoors:

People spend a lot of time outside, but they should be aware of diseases that can spread from insects, wildlife, and even the sun.

The majority of skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to UV light, so to prevent skin cancers, avoid midday sun which is when the rays are the strongest. People should stay in the shade as much as possible, use sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and apply it every two hours.

Mosquitoes are another thing to consider as they can carry West Nile virus, so to avoid bites, use an EPA-registered insect repellent and wear light-colored clothing.

Tickborne disease cases are at the highest during the summer, and ticks can carry Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. To prevent bites, avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass, use EPA-registered insect repellent, and check the body and clothes for ticks. Always check pets too.

People can also be around animals at the zoo, fairs, schools, and more. It’s important to always wash hands after being around them as animals can carry germs that can spread to humans and cause sickness.

Follow these steps every time when washing hands to prevent germs:

1. Wet hands with clean, running water, and apply soap
2. Lather hands by rubbing them together
3. Scrub hands for 20 seconds
4. Rinse hands under clean, running water
5. Dry hands using a clean towel or air dryer.

For more information, visit this website .

Safety in the Water:

Swimming in pools, lakes, or rivers is a popular activity, but it comes with risks like illness and drowning. You can learn more about preventing injuries and swimming safely here .

Safety with Food:

Foodborne illnesses happen a lot during the summer because of the warm temperatures. People should avoid leaving food out for too long. You can learn more about food safety here .

Safety for Children Passengers:

Road trips are also popular, and to make sure kids are using the right car seat or seat belt, people should find a car seat checkup event here .

Drinking Responsibly:

Drinks are not made to be equal, so those of age who aim to drink responsibly can learn the amount of alcohol in drinks and make informed decisions. The Alculator tool speaks volumes by identifying the alcohol content through a browser-based interactive app. You can check it out here .

Burn Prevention and Fireworks Safety:

In 2023, about 9,700 people were in the emergency room because of injuries from fireworks, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. To stay safe, follow these seven tips:

1. Keep a bucket of water or garden hose nearby
2. Light fireworks one at a time, then quickly move away
3. Don’t let kids play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers
4. Don’t try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully ignited
5. Don’t use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs
6. Don’t point or throw fireworks at other people
7. After fireworks are completely burned out, douse them with water, then throw them away

You can find more safety tips here .

For more summer safety reminders, you can visit this website .

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