Get Ready for Summer Fun: These Safety Tips Will Help Reduce Disruptions to July 4th Celebrations, Other Activities
As this week marks the official start of summer, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) wants to remind residents of several straightforward measures they can take to help prevent illness or injury from interrupting their July 4th celebrations and other activities.
Summertime offers opportunities to attend outdoor events and get-togethers with family and friends, that unfortunately can also result in sunburn, dehydration, food and mosquito-borne illness, firework injuries and increased COVID-19 transmission if precautions are not taken. To help safeguard this summer’s fun in the sun, Public Health is offering safety tips to Los Angeles County residents.
While COVID-19 indicators remain low in Los Angeles County, risk remains, especially for people who are older or immunocompromised. To avoid inadvertently spreading COVID-19 to others, anyone with possible symptoms, such as a cough, runny nose, fever or headache, should stay home. For extra assurance, Public Health recommends testing for anyone who has symptoms, has been exposed to COVID-19 or if they are attending a gathering with someone at higher risk for severe illness from COVID. Free tests continue to be available across Los Angeles County. More information and site locations are available at ph.lacounty.gov/COVIDtests.
To reduce the risk of heat-related illness, consider seeking shade or going indoors when the sun is warmest between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., using a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher, and wearing protective clothing, including hats and long sleeves. Call 911 if someone is experiencing possible sun poisoning symptoms, such as high body temperature, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or pale and clammy skin.
When spending time outdoors in the sun, be sure to stay hydrated. Consider carrying a reusable bottle and sipping throughout the day, especially during physical activities or when consuming caffeine or alcohol, which can be dehydrating. Symptoms of dehydration, indicating that a person may need to drink more liquids, include dry mouth or lips, headaches or light headedness. Hydrating foods, such as melon, berries, or cucumbers, also can be added to menus.
Think about food safety when planning celebrations, whether hosting a party or going on an outing. Make sure that meats are cooked to the proper temperatures: 160-degrees Fahrenheit for ground meats, poultry and eggs and 145-degrees Fahrenheit for steaks, roasts and fish. Cold foods should be stored at 40-degrees Fahrenheit or lower and leftovers need to be refrigerated or thrown away after two hours.
Foodborne illness can appear as stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea in the hours or days after eating contaminated food and can be severe, and in some cases, life-threatening for older adults, young children, pregnant people and those who are immunocompromised. A simple food thermometer can help make sure food is being stored at safe temperatures and ice and coolers should be available to store food at outdoor events.
Mosquitos are abundant in many parts of the county. Using effective insect repellent when outdoors and wearing protective clothing covering arms and legs can help prevent annoying bites and potential exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses including West Nile virus.
Many Fourth of July celebrations feature fireworks. Personal use of fireworks is illegal in Los Angeles County and children should not be allowed to handle or ignite fireworks. Never hold a lit firework and do not try to reignite a firework that does not go off or malfunctions. To safely enjoy a firework show, grab a blanket or chairs and enjoy one of the many public displays being held throughout Los Angeles County.
At any event or gathering, there is always the possibility of contracting COVID-19. If a person tests positive, it is important they inform others who have been exposed. Many people who test positive are eligible for COVID-19 treatment, which is widely available and must be started within five days of symptom onset. Health care providers can prescribe an oral therapeutic for COVID-19, which is shown to reduce the chance for severe illness and hospitalization, or free telehealth services are available through the Public Health Call Center, open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., by phoning 1-833-540-0473.
Residents looking for more information or additional tips about staying safe this summer can visit ph.lacounty.gov/media/summer.
COVID-19 strains currently circulating in Los Angeles County are all descendants of the Omicron variant. For the most recent two-week period ending May 27, 2023, XBB.1.5 was the dominant strain, accounting for 50 percent of sequenced specimens, a decrease from 63 percent during the two-week period prior. The second most dominant strain is XBB.1.9.1, accounting for 13 percent of sequenced specimens, followed by XBB.1.16, accounting for 9 percent of sequenced specimens. Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) modeling for California and surrounding states, it is predicted that as of June 10, XBB.1.5 remains dominant, accounting for nearly 40 percent of COVID-19 cases with XBB.1.16 being the second most dominant, accounting for over 17 percent of cases.
“I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to people in LA County who have lost a loved one to COVID-19. I hope you are surrounded by strength, support and love during this challenging time,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed., Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “I wish everyone a happy Fourth of July and may you find many reasons to celebrate and gather with friends and family. Over the past three years, people have faced some extraordinarily taxing times and I, like so many others, am welcoming the opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled summer. Some simple safety measures can prevent injury and illness for ourselves and those we love. Please keep hydrated, stay home if you are sick, be safe in the sun, and leave the lighting of fireworks to professionals at public firework displays. Err on the side of caution, especially with those who are more vulnerable, and take an opportunity to enjoy the many activities offered throughout the county during the summer months.”
The CDC has replaced COVID-19 Community Levels with Hospital Admission Levels, which can help individuals and communities decide which prevention actions they can take based on the most recent information. Los Angeles County is in the Low Hospital Admission Level with 2.7 weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people, reported as of June 15, 2023.
Public Health reports COVID-19 data weekly. The following table shows case, wastewater, emergency department, hospitalization and death data in Los Angeles County over the past four weeks.
