MINEOLA, NY – As residents prepare for Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Nassau County Department of Health (NCDOH) are reminding residents to take simple steps to stay safe while grilling, gathering outdoors, spending time in the sun, and enjoying local parks, pools and beaches.
“Memorial Day weekend is a time for families and friends to gather and enjoy the start of the summer season,” said Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. “By taking a few simple precautions, residents can help keep their celebrations safe, healthy and enjoyable.”
“Many summer health risks can be prevented with simple steps like washing hands, using a food thermometer, staying hydrated, checking for ticks and supervising children near water,” said Nassau County Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman. “We encourage residents to enjoy the holiday weekend while keeping safety in mind.”
Warm weather, outdoor dining and longer days can increase the risk of foodborne illness, sunburn, heat-related illness, tick bites and water-related injuries. The Nassau County Department of Health encourages residents to keep the following tips in mind:
Practice safe grilling and outdoor food handling. Wash hands before preparing or serving food, use separate plates and utensils for raw and cooked meats, and keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Cold foods should be kept at 40°F or below, and hot foods should be kept at 140°F or above. Perishable foods should not be left out for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90°F, food should be refrigerated or discarded after one hour. Food should be marinated in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Marinade that has touched raw meat, poultry or seafood should not be reused.
Use a food thermometer. Color alone is not a reliable way to know whether meat is fully cooked. Use a food thermometer and cook foods to safe internal temperatures, including 165°F for poultry and leftovers, 160°F for ground beef, 150°F for pork, and 140°F for hotdogs and other food.
Stay cool and protect against the sun. Drink water, take breaks in the shade or air conditioning, and wear sunscreen, sunglasses and lightweight clothing when spending time outdoors. Young children, older adults, people with chronic health conditions and pets are more vulnerable to heat.
Prevent tick bites. When spending time in grassy, brushy or wooded areas, use repellent, wear light-colored clothing, check for ticks after being outdoors, and shower soon after coming inside. Pets should also be checked for ticks.
Make water safety a priority. Children should be actively supervised around pools, beaches and other bodies of water. Avoid distractions when supervising children near water, use properly fitted life jackets when boating, and follow posted beach and pool rules.
Keep pets safe, too. Make sure pets have shade and water, never leave pets in parked cars, and keep them away from food, alcohol, hot grills and fireworks.
Residents who would like to learn more about safe food handling can also take advantage of the Nassau County Department of Health’s online Food Managers Training Course. The course is free to take and provides helpful food safety information for anyone preparing or serving food. Certification is also available for a fee. The course, as well as additional health and safety information is available on the NCDOH website at www.nassaucountyny.gov/health.