Illinois Poison Center Reminds Public of Safety Measures to Prevent Foodborne Illnesses and Poisonings this Summer

CHICAGO – With the upcoming Memorial Day holiday marking the unofficial start to summer, the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) is encouraging Illinoisans to take precautions against poison exposures, including foodborne illness, while enjoying fun in the sun.

According to the IPC, the combination of long summer days home from school, increase in outdoor celebrations and higher prevalence of insects lead to an increase in accidental exposures.

“Summertime BBQs, festivals and holiday celebrations are fun, but those festivities can get ruined quickly if the proper precautions aren’t taken to prevent poisoning,” said IPC Medical Director, Michael Wahl, MD. “IPC sees a 10-20 percent higher call volume than compared to the rest of the year, which includes food poisoning calls. We want you to enjoy the many benefits of summer, but it is important to be mindful of your surroundings and to properly prepare and store all foods so everyone can enjoy the summer in good health.”

FoodSafety.gov reports that food poisoning affects millions of Americans each year. There are an estimated 48 million cases of foodborne illness annually – the equivalent of sickening 1 in 6 Americans each year. Each year, these illnesses result in an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.

To prevent harmful exposures, the IPC offers the following tips:

• Food Safety:  Properly prepare, cook and store food to keep bacteria at bay and prevent food poisoning.

• • Keep hot foods hot, and cold foods cold.

• • Avoid cross-contamination of raw and cooked foods.

• • Cook food as close to serving time as possible to avoid bacterial growth.

• • Refrigerate food within two hours of cooking – if you are unsure how long an item has been out, play it safe and throw it away.

• • Keep coolers in the shade and out of the hot car or trunk.

• Holiday Celebrations: Parties are fun but present a number of opportunities for danger both for adults and children.

• • Be sure all tiki torch oils, lighter fluids, fireworks and other flammables are in their original containers, locked up and out of the reach of children. Accidentally drinking tiki torch oils or lighter fluids can be fatal.

• • Keep alcohol up and out of the reach of children.

• • Do not let children put glow sticks, fireworks, or other substances in their mouths.

• • Open and use all pool chemicals in a very well-ventilated area and wear eye and skin protection.

• Cover Up: Wear clothing that will cover as much exposed skin as possible in order to protect from plant poisonings, like poison ivy, or from insect bites and stings.

• Creams and sprays: Sunscreen and bug repellants are crucial summertime staples, but they may contain chemicals that can be harmful.

• • Read all labels and apply according to the directions.

• • Wash hands immediately after application.

For more information on summertime safety, please visit the IPC Summer Safety page.

IPC’s toxicology specialists, who serve most all languages, resolve over 90% of poison exposure cases over the phone, eliminating the need for referral to a healthcare facility. IPC staff serve as toxicology consultants to Illinois healthcare professionals, whose inquiries represent nearly one-third of yearly poisoning cases. Calls to the IPC helpline (1-800-222-1222) are free and confidential. IPC experts are available to provide information and treatment advice 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, including holidays.