More Summer Do’s and Dont's for a Healthier You
Don’t fear public restrooms! Washing your hands with soap and water will provide the protection you need. Make sure you wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom, and before cooking or eating. Be sure to carry disposable moist towelettes or hand sanitizer in case hand-washing facilities aren’t available.
Don’t ignore that bee sting — particularly if the culprit is a yellow jacket. Yellow jackets are particularly dirty because they are attracted to garbage, manure, and dead and decaying animals. Their stingers may carry bacteria that can cause nasty skin or even systemic bacterial infections. Use a credit card to remove the stinger. Wash the area immediately with soap and water. If the sting remains hot and inflamed after 8 to 12 hours with no sign of improvement, it's best to seek medical advice about getting antibiotic treatment.
Don’t drink the water in lakes, streams, and rivers: assume all these water sources are unsafe for drinking. If you’re hiking, start with a full water bottle and replenish from tested public systems. If you’re camping in remote areas, carry water purification tablets. And if you’re traveling abroad to a third world country, stick with bottled water and soft drinks.