Before you fire up the grill or cool off with a swim this summer, check out these safety tips.
Swimming Safety
Keep these safety tips in mind when you enjoy the state's beaches, lakes, rivers and pools:
- Put down the phone and watch children at all times around pools and any body of water. Movies and TV often show a drowning child as flailing. But a drowning child is more likely to slip silently underwater. It can be easy to miss, until it's too late. Learn more about drowning prevention.
- Keep pools secure. If you're not using the pool, close and lock or latch gates or doors. Never prop a gate or door open and do not remove or lock ladders when aboveground pools are not in use.
- Know the water conditions. Look for potential hazards like:
- Strong currents
- Undertows
- Sudden changes in water depth
- Stay out of the water if you are sick with diarrhea.
"Every North Carolinian deserves to enjoy the summer season without risk to their health or safety.
"By taking small, thoughtful actions — like supervising children near water, staying cool during extreme heat and practicing safe grilling — we can all stay safe this summer."
Dr. Kelly Kimple
Interim State Health Director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer.
Grilling Safety
Stay safe during this beloved summer tradition with these tips:
- Practice hand hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw food or using the grill.
- Separate raw and cooked food. Prevent the spread of bacteria by keeping raw meats, poultry and seafood separate from cooked foods and ready-to-eat items.
- Cook food thoroughly. Use a food thermometer to ensure meats are cooked to the appropriate internal temperature. This eliminates any harmful bacteria.
- Store leftovers properly. Refrigerate or freeze leftover food promptly to prevent bacterial growth. Consume or discard leftovers within three to four days.
- Clean and sanitize. Thoroughly clean grill surfaces and utensils before and after each use. This helps to prevent cross-contamination and growth of harmful bacteria.
Beat the heat this summer
Extreme heat days — reaching 95 degrees or higher — are on the rise in North Carolina. Sign up for NC heat alerts.
From May through September 2024, NC recorded more than 4,600 emergency department visits for heat-related illness (PDF).
NCDHHS encourages all residents to:
- Watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Confusion
- Rapid pulse
- Hydrate and cool down. Move to a cooler area, take slow sips of water and get medical help if symptoms continue.
- Know who's at risk:
- Children
- Older adults
- Pregnant people
- Outdoor workers
- Athletes
- People without air conditioning
Related Press Releases:
- NCDHHS Emphasizes Summer Safety Practices as Temperatures Rise Across North Carolina
- Operation Fan Heat Relief Distributing Fans to Eligible Recipients May 1-Oct. 31 to Assist During Hot Weather Months
- NCDHHS Encourages Safe Swimming and Safe Grilling For a Healthy Summer Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend