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BEE STINGS

The great majority of insect stings cause only minor discomfort from a local reaction. About 1 million Americans are severely allergic to the venom of bees, hornets, yellow jackets, and fire ants. Those who are hypersensitive to bee venom should exercise extreme caution in the outdoors during months when bees are active. They should protect themselves with long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and clothing of subdued colors and patterns that do not attract insects.

They should not apply colognes or perfumes. If approached by a bee, sensitive individuals should not panic, duck, or move suddenly, but should stay calm and slowly walk away from the insect. Hypersensitive individuals who spend a great deal of their time in areas populated by bees (farms, orchards, rural parts of the country) should receive desensitization shots. (See "Allergic Reactions and Anaphylactic Shock" for symptoms of hypersensitive reaction.)

TREATMENT FOR HYPERSENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS

TREATMENT FOR THE NONSENSITIVE

Check the sting site for the venom sac (bee stings only) and stinger. If these are embedded in the skin, remove by scraping over the area with a knife blade, fingernail, or sharp object. Do not try to grasp and pull the stinger out; this action is likely to release more venom into the skin from the venom sac.

Apply an ice pack to the sting site or flush it with cold water to reduce swelling and relieve pain.

Dab on calamine lotion or a nonprescription corticosteroid cream to ease itching and swelling. Other remedies include unseasoned meat tenderizer, which contains papain, an enzyme that breaks down toxins in the venom. Aspirin or antihistamines may also be used to alleviate moderate, localized reactions.

Carry a bee sting (anaphylaxis) treatment kit at all times. (These kits are commercially prepared and available by prescription.) Use a syringe preloaded with adrenaline. After administering adrenaline, call the emergency squad or take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.

If a treatment kit is not available, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room or doctor immediately.

If any signs or symptoms of generalized reaction to the bite occur before reaching the hospital, tie a light tourniquet 2 to 4 inches above the bite (between the bite and the trunk of the body).

Remove stinger as instructed below

Barbecue Food Safety

Cooking outdoors was once only a summer activity shared with family and friends. Now more than half of Americans say they are cooking outdoors year round. So whether the snow is blowing or the sun is shining brightly, it's important to follow food safety guidelines to prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying and causing foodborne illness

From the Store: Home First

When shopping, buy cold food like meat and poultry last, right before checkout. Separate raw meat and poultry from other food in your shopping cart. To guard against cross-contamination -- which can happen when raw meat or poultry juices drip on other food -- put packages of raw meat and poultry into plastic bags.

Plan to drive directly home from the grocery store. You may want to take a cooler with ice for perishables. Always refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours. Refrigerate within 1 hour when the temperature is above 90 °F.

At home, place meat and poultry in the refrigerator immediately. Freeze poultry and ground meat that won't be used in 1 or 2 days; freeze other meat within 4 to 5 days.

Defrost Safely

Completely defrost meat and poultry before grilling so it cooks more evenly. Use the refrigerator for slow, safe thawing or thaw sealed packages in cold water. You can microwave defrost if the food will be placed immediately on the grill.

Marinating

Meat and poultry can be marinated for several hours or days to tenderize or add flavor. Marinate food in the refrigerator, not on the counter. If some of the marinade is to be used as a sauce on the cooked food, reserve a portion of the marinade before putting raw meat and poultry in it. However, if the marinade used on raw meat or poultry is to be reused, make sure to let it come to a boil first to destroy any harmful bacteria.

Transporting

When carrying food to another location, keep it cold to minimize bacterial growth. Use an insulated cooler with sufficient ice or ice packs to keep the food at 40 °F or below. Pack food right from the refrigerator into the cooler immediately before leaving home. Keep the cooler in the coolest part of the car.

Keep Cold Food Cold

Keep meat and poultry refrigerated until ready to use. Only take out the meat and poultry that will immediately be placed on the grill.

When using a cooler, keep it out of the direct sun by placing it in the shade or shelter. Avoid opening the lid too often, which lets cold air out and warm air in. Pack beverages in one cooler and perishables in a separate cooler.

Keep Everything Clean

Be sure there are plenty of clean utensils and platters. To prevent foodborne illness, don't use the same platter and utensils for raw and cooked meat and poultry. Harmful bacteria present in raw meat and poultry and their juices can contaminate safely cooked food.

If you're eating away from home, find out if there's a source of clean water. If not, bring water for preparation and cleaning. Or pack clean cloths, and wet towelettes for cleaning surfaces and hands.

Precooking

Precooking food partially in the microwave, oven, or stove is a good way of reducing grilling time. Just make sure that the food goes immediately on the preheated grill to complete cooking.

Cook Thoroughly

Cook food to a safe internal temperature to destroy harmful bacteria. Meat and poultry cooked on a grill often browns very fast on the outside. Use a food thermometer to be sure the food has reached a safe internal temperature. Whole poultry should reach 180 °F; breasts, 170 °F. Hamburgers made of ground beef should reach 160 °F; ground poultry, 165 °F. Beef, veal, and lamb steaks, roasts and chops can be cooked to 145 °F. All cuts of pork should reach 160 °F.

NEVER partially grill meat or poultry and finish cooking later.

Reheating

When reheating fully cooked meats like hot dogs, grill to 165 °F or until steaming hot.

Keep Hot Food Hot

After cooking meat and poultry on the grill, keep it hot until served - at 140 °F or warmer.

Keep cooked meats hot by setting them to the side of the grill rack, not directly over the coals where they could overcook. At home, the cooked meat can be kept hot in a warm oven (approximately 200 °F), in a chafing dish or slow cooker, or on a warming tray.

Serving the Food

When taking food off the grill, use a clean platter. Don't put cooked food on the same platter that held raw meat or poultry. Any harmful bacteria present in the raw meat juices could contaminate safely cooked food.

In hot weather (above 90 °F), food should never sit out for more than 1 hour.

Leftovers

Refrigerate any leftovers promptly in shallow containers. Discard any food left out more than 2 hours (1 hour if temperatures are above 90 °F).

Safe Smoking

Smoking is cooking food indirectly in the presence of a fire. It can be done in a covered grill if a pan of water is placed beneath the meat on the grill; and meats can be smoked in a "smoker," which is an outdoor cooker especially designed for smoking foods. Smoking is done much more slowly than grilling, so less tender meats benefit from this method, and a natural smoke flavoring permeates the meat. The temperature in the smoker should be maintained at 250 to 300 °F for safety.

Use a food thermometer to be sure the food has reached a safe internal temperature.

Pit Roasting

Pit roasting is cooking meat in a large, level hole dug in the earth. A hardwood fire is built in the pit, requiring wood equal to about 2 1/2 times the volume of the pit. The hardwood is allowed to burn until the wood reduces and the pit is half filled with burning coals. This can require 4 to 6 hours burning time.

Cooking may require 10 to 12 hours or more and is difficult to estimate. A meat thermometer must be used to determine the meat's safety and doneness. There are many variables such as outdoor temperature, the size and thickness of the meat, and how fast the coals are cooking.

Does Grilling Pose a Cancer Risk?

Some studies suggest there may be a cancer risk related to eating food cooked by high-heat cooking techniques as grilling, frying, and broiling. Based on present research findings, eating moderate amounts of grilled meats like fish, meat, and poultry cooked -- without charring -- to a safe temperature does not pose a problem.

To prevent charring, remove visible fat that can cause a flare-up. Precook meat in the microwave immediately before placing it on the grill to release some of the juices that can drop on coals. Cook food in the center of the grill and move coals to the side to prevent fat and juices from dripping on them. Cut charred portions off the meat

Preventing Poisonings

Teach children to stay away from all plants and wild berries unless you are certain they are safe.
The safest recommendation is to stay away from plants that are not known to you.
Teach children to stay clear of poison ivy and poison oak.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and deadly gas. CO poisoning kills approximately 30 campers each year

Be aware of potential sources of carbon monoxide poisoning. They include commonly used camping equipment such as portable camping heaters, lanterns and vehicles.

Bites And Stings

Apply insect repellent to a child's clothing and exposed skin. Some repellents are too strong for small children, so consult medical personnel.
Always have an adult apply the insect repellent and follow the product's instructions.
Avoid using scented products, such as perfumes and shampoos that attract insects.
Be sure to shake out all clothing before wearing it.
Teach children not to disturb or provoke any animals they may encounter. Although an animal may look friendly, sudden actions could frighten the animal and provoke an attack.
Never leave a child alone with an animal, even if you believe the animal is harmless.
Teach children to watch out for snakes and never to touch or disturb them.
Check clothing and exposed skin for ticks and other insects after spending time outdoors.
Apply sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) 15 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun so it can penetrate. Apply frequently throughout the day, even in cloudy conditions.
Dress your child in light-colored fabrics that cover exposed skin such as the head, arms and legs.
Encourage children to drink water frequently to avoid overheating and/or dehydration. Be especially careful in high altitudes, where the sun's rays are stronger.

Water Safety

Children can drown in as little as 1 inch of water. Drowning usually occurs quickly and silently. If your family's camping trip includes a visit to a lake or other body of water, SAFE KIDS recommends you:

Never leave a child unsupervised in or around water.
Make sure kids wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation devices or life jackets when around oceans, rivers, and lakes or during water sports. Air-filled "swimming aids" are not considered safety devices and are not substitutes for PFDs.
Teach children water safety habits. Children should not run, push others under water, jump on others, or dive or jump into shallow water.
Never let a child go in the water before testing the temperature. If the water is too cold, it may affect the child's breathing or cause cramps.
Be aware of the nature of the water. An open body of water that looks virtually motionless may have a strong undercurrent.
Do not allow children to wade into water without protective footwear. Broken glass or other sharp objects may be present.
Do not let your child dive into water unless an adult is present and knows the water is deeper than 9 feet.
Adults and kids over age 13 should know infant and child CPR.
Never allow children to swim during lightning storms or in dangerous weather.
Make sure children have warm and dry clothes to wear after swimming.

Caring for Bites and Stings

Dangerous bites and stings can come from a variety of places, from the household pet, to the hornet in the barn, to the little boy next door. No matter how the bite or sting occurs, however, it must be treated promptly to prevent infection, allergic reactions, or other complications; it's important to be prepared for all types of emergencies. These are just a few tips that will keep you and your family safe this summer season.

Insect Bites

Signals

Stinger may be present
Pain
Swelling
Possible allergic reaction

Care

If it still remains, remove stinger by scraping away, or lift out using tweezers, carefully so as not to inject more venom.
Wash wound
Cover
Apply a cold pack
Watch for signals of allergic reaction
Apply a hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching and inflammation

Spider/Scorpion Bite/Sting

The bites of some spiders, such as the black widow and the brown recluse, are particularly dangerous because they affect your whole body. Bites from both of these spiders can cause fever, nausea and pain in addition to the skin reactions at the site of the bite. If you believe you have been bitten by one of these dangerous spiders, see your doctor immediately. Before you do, follow these guidelines:

Immobilize the bitten arm or leg to limit movement.
Apply a cloth dampened with cold water or lined with ice to the bite.
Keep the arm or leg dangling down.
Seek emergency medical assistance.
Give the health care provider as accurate a description of the spider as possible.

Signals

Bite mark
Swelling
Pain
Nausea and vomiting
Difficulty breathing or swallowing

Care

Wash wound
Apply a cold pack
Get medical care to receive antivenin
Call local emergency number, if necessary

People who are allergic to the venom injected by any insect face a life-threatening situation. Symptoms of such a reaction may include swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or around the eyes; coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing; and widespread numbness or cramping. Hives may appear on the skin. Speech may be slurred, and anxiety, mental confusion, nausea and vomiting, or unconsciousness may occur.

If you are allergic to the stings of any insect, get immediate medical attention if you are stung. If you know you are sensitive to bee stings, your physician can provide you with a special emergency kit containing a hypodermic syringe with epinephrine (adrenaline). Keep this kit handy, especially when you are at risk of being stung. A person who loses consciousness after a bee sting should be treated for shock. Call for emergency help immediately.

Marine Life Stings

Signals

Possible marks
Pain
Swelling
Possible allergic reaction

Care

If jellyfish-soak area in vinegar.
If sting ray - soak area in non-scalding hot water until pain goes away
Clean and bandage wound
Call local emergency number, if necessary

Snake Bites

Signals

Bite Mark
Pain

Care

Wash wound
Keep bitten part still, and lower than the heart
Call local emergency number

Tick Bites

The danger of tick bites results from bacteria carried by the insect that can cause Lyme disease and other severe illnesses including encephalitis (brain inflammation). Lyme disease appears primarily as a form of arthritis but may also cause a wide variety of symptoms. If you have a circular skin eruption after you have been in an area where ticks may live (underbrush or tall grass), you may have been bitten by a tick carrying the infectious micro-organism.

If you find a tick crawling on your skin, carefully remove it. Do not crush it between your fingers; instead, drop it in a fire or smash it between two rocks. Wash your hands afterward.

If the tick has already bitten you and is holding on to your skin, do not pull it off. Cover it with any type of oil, which will loosen the tick's grip on your skin. Then remove all parts of the tick with tweezers and wash the area thoroughly. Watch the area carefully for the next week or two for signs of Lyme disease.

The best treatment for tick bites is prevention. If you are going into areas where ticks may live, wear appropriate clothing, use tick sprays, and conduct "tick-checks" in the areas you go.

Animal Bites

Household pets cause most animal bites. Although most of these bites come from dogs, those from cats are more likely to become infected. Bites from wild animals are especially dangerous because of the threat of rabies. If you or your child is bitten by any animal, follow these guidelines:

If the bite only breaks the skin, treat it as you would a minor wound. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, apply an antibiotic cream, and cover it with a clean bandage.
If the bite creates a deep puncture or the skin is badly torn and bleeding, apply pressure to stop the bleeding and see your doctor.
If you notice signs of infection (swelling, redness, pain, or fluid draining from the area), see your physician immediately.
If you suspect the bite was caused by an animal harboring rabies (one that behaves oddly or is foaming at the mouth, or one that bites even though unprovoked), see your doctor immediately.
If you have not had one within the past 10 years, you should get a tetanus booster shot with any bite that breaks the skin.

Human Bites

Human bites can often be as or more dangerous than animal bites because of the types of bacteria and viruses contained in the human mouth.

If you sustain a human bite that breaks the skin, stop the bleeding by applying pressure, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, and apply a bandage. Then visit

Its Snake Bite Season

First rule: Assume all snakes are poisonous! Consider a snake bite an emergency whether the snake is poisonous or not. Rattlesnakes do not have to be coiled to strike!

Symptoms:

Poisonous snake bites may appear as two punctures on the skin.

Nonpoisonous snake bites are usually shaped like a "U".

The site will swell rapidly and be painful to the touch.

The severity of the bite will depend upon the type of snake, the age of the dog, size of the dog, number of bites, the location of the bites, and the amount of venom injected.

Snake venom can often produce deep blue markings around the bite area.

The acute phase may be accompanied by vomiting, convulsions and neurological impairment; the dog may become depressed, paralyzed, comatose, and may die. These symptoms may be preceded by respiratory distress.

Despite dramatic reaction, most dogs recover from snake bites.

First Aid:

If you suspect that the bite is from a poisonous snake:

Wrap some ice in a cloth and apply it to the swollen, painful area for 10 minutes. Wait 5 minutes, then reapply for another 10 minutes. The ice will slow the spread of the venom.

Keep the dog warm.

Rush the dog to a veterinarian. It is very helpful to call the Vet on the way there, so that they may have the proper anti-venom ready at your arrival.

If the snake is identified as non-poisonous:

Wash the bite wound with soap and water, then apply antibiotic ointment.

Seek Veterinary care for observation and antibiotic therapy because reptiles carry many infectious bacteria in their mouths.

Taken from "Emergency First Aid for your Dog" and "Love of Animals".

When out hiking it is advisable to carry a Sawyer venom extractor. These are available at outdoor outfitter type stored. It is designed and used mostly for snake bites, but is also effective for bee stings, spider bites, and for mosquito bites, and has a variety of adapter heads depending on the nature of the bite. It is much more effective than making slits or other tactics to get venom out. You simply place it over the bite.