Summer is the season of fireworks, backyard barbecues, and gathering with family and friends. While outdoor summer parties can be fun, they can also present unexpected poison and safety hazards. Many common summertime exposures are preventable with a few simple safety tips. In this blog, we’ll cover common seasonal hazards and share practical tips to help keep your summer parties safe and poison-free.
Grilling
Grilling hotdogs, hamburgers, and other crowd-favorites is a popular part of outdoor parties, but grills and other fuel-burning devices can pose safety risks if not used properly. When using a grill, always place it outdoors in a well-ventilated area and keep it away from windows and garages. Never use charcoal grills or portable gas grills indoors or in enclosed spaces, such as the garage, even for a short period of time.
Burning charcoal and propane can produce carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. Putting too much food on the grill or having damaged or clogged burners can block or disrupt airflow and cause CO to build up, increasing the risk of CO poisoning.
To prevent food poisoning, always cook meat to a safe internal temperature, which can be measured by a meat thermometer. Safe internal temperatures vary by meat type. Always follow the guidelines on the meat’s packaging or refer to this Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart for Cooking.
While serving food, it’s important to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot to prevent bacteria growth that causes food poisoning. Some common ways to keep cold foods cold during a party are to keep them in a cooler, keep food over an ice bath, or to put out smaller portions of cold food items. To keep hot foods hot, consider using warming trays, chafing dishes, or slow cookers. Additionally, perishable (likely to go bad quickly) foods should not be left out in room temperature for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90°F, perishable foods should not be left out for more than one hour.
Fireworks and Fires
Fireworks are popular at summer celebrations, but they must be used safely. To prevent burns and other injuries, never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Do not try re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully ignited.
Firework snakes – sometimes called black snakes, colored snakes, or glow worms – may contain dangerous chemicals such as arsenic, sulfur, and barium. Swallowing even a small amount can cause symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Some barium compounds, which help produce the snake’s colorful effects, can also lead to more serious symptoms such as paralysis.
Some families add flame-coloring chemicals to fire pits to create colorful flames during outdoor gatherings. One commonly used chemical, copper sulfate, can turn flames blue when added to the fire. If ingested, copper sulfate can cause severe injury to the stomach with:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pain
- Burning sensation
In severe cases, copper sulfate ingestion can cause stomach bleeding.
In very large ingestions, copper sulfate can cause:
- Red blood cells to rupture
- Kidney and liver injury
- Coma
- Shock
- Death
Be sure to follow the instructions on all products and always supervise children around these products. Do not let children play with the products. Keep these products up, away, and out of sight immediately after use. To safely dispose of used fireworks, allow them to cool completely and then soak them in a large bucket of water for at least 24 hours. Then remove them, place them into heavy-duty plastic bags, and dispose in the household trash.
Alcohol and Cannabis
If your celebration involves alcohol or cannabis, it is important to always keep these products up, away, and out of sight and reach of children and pets.
Make sure anything containing alcohol or cannabis is clearly labeled. Cannabis edibles and alcohol-containing drinks are commonly designed to look like regular snacks and drinks, which can be confusing to children. Alcohol and cannabis affect children much differently than adults and can lead to serious risks. If a child ingests any amount of alcohol or cannabis, do not wait for symptoms to show and call the Maryland Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately.
Glow Sticks
Glow stick liquid exposures are a frequent concern reported to Poison Centers nationwide during the summer. Luckily, glow stick liquid is generally considered non-toxic. If you or someone else gets glow stick liquid in the mouth, simply wipe out the mouth with a wet towel and drink a small amount of water. If you or someone else gets glow stick liquid in the eyes or on the skin, rinse the area with lukewarm (not hot) water for 10-15 minutes. After performing these first aid steps, call the Maryland Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. For more information, visit our Glow Sticks blog.
Sunscreen and Insect Repellents
With the summer sun shining bright and insects more active than ever, sunscreen and insect repellent are essential for keeping your outdoor party comfortable and enjoyable. Always read and follow the label and check the expiration date of sunscreen and insect repellents before using. Do not apply sunscreen or insect repellents directly on the face. Instead, spray the product on your hands and then apply to the face while avoiding the areas around the eyes and mouth. Do not let children apply sunscreen or insect repellents themselves. Store these products up, away, and out of sight and reach of children.
Avoid using products that contain both DEET insect repellent and sunscreen. Sunscreen must be reapplied frequently, whereas DEET can last up to eight hours and should not be reapplied. Reapplying a combination product can be dangerous.
For more information about sunscreen, visit our Sunscreen blog. For more information about insect repellents, visit our Insect Repellents blog.
As always, if you suspect a poisoning, call the experts at the Maryland Poison Center. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. The Maryland Poison Center is a free, confidential, and 24/7 service – even on holidays. Call 1-800-222-1222 to speak with a poison specialist.
