Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer, and while your family enjoys outdoor activities it’s also important to keep safety in mind. Taking basic safety measures can prevent injuries and illnesses, and could even save lives. Consider these tips from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Tick and Mosquito Bite Prevention. Ticks and mosquitoes are small pests, but their bites can mean big trouble. Ticks and mosquitoes can spread disease, cause illnesses and even death. The following safety precautions will help prevent both established and emerging diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes:

Use insect repellent with a minimum 20% DEET, picaridin or IR3535
When possible wear light colored, long sleeved shirts and pants
Always check yourself, family and friends for ticks after spending time outdoors
Remove ticks promptly
Take two minutes to protect yourself from ticks and mosquitoes

Food Safety. Outdoor cooking in the summer is a weekly event for many Kearney families. Some simple food safety steps can prevent foodborne illness from crashing the picnic:

Always wash your hands before preparing foods and after handling raw meats, as well as before and after eating
Keep hot food hot (135°F or above) and cold food cold (41°F or below). Leftovers not kept under temperature control should be discarded if left out over two hours
Cook foods completely. Hamburgers should reach 155°F, fish and pork 145°F and chicken or other poultry 165°F
Avoid cross contamination of foods by keeping them separate and well wrapped

Hot Weather Safety. Missouri’s hot and humid weather can be brutal in the summer, and every year people are impacted by heat-related illnesses. Here are some things to consider when extreme heat comes to town:

Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun
Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available
Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the evaporation rate of perspiration. Call 211 for the nearest location of a cooling center.

Use exhaust fans and dehumidifiers when needed
Drink plenty of water. Individuals with epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, who are on fluid-restricted diets, or who have problems with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake
Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible
When outside, protect your face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Wear sunscreen.
Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone
Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles
Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day; use the buddy system when working in extreme heat; and take frequent breaks

Water Safety. Whether your family is at Smithville Lake or at Kearney’s new splash pad in Lion’s Park, dangers around water are present. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury worldwide and in Missouri, and the majority child drowning fatalities in Missouri occurred in unsupervised children under the age of five.

A drowning can occur quickly and silently in a matter of seconds, and young children can drown in as little as one inch of water. Remember these safety tips when your family activities include waterparks, pools and lakes or rivers:

Never leave a child unattended in or near water
Actively supervise children and stay within arm’s reach of young children. Avoid distractions
Teach children water safety skills and swimming skills as early as possible
Only swim in designated areas, preferably with a lifeguard. Remember lifeguards provide assistance in emergencies and should not be relied on for supervision
Warn children to stay away from drains in pools
Install proper barriers and covers around your pool and spa
Wear life jackets as appropriate. Life jackets should be US Coast Guard certified, the proper size for the individual, and in good condition. Floatation devices are not a substitution for adult supervision
Know CPR and if a child is missing, check the water first

With a little care and pre-planning your family can enjoy outdoor summer activities.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story