A program of the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council Day camps are popular places for children during the summer months. But they are not without poisoning concerns, which provide great opportunities for poison prevention education. Educators can either contact the camps before they begin to educate camp counselors, or wait until children arrive to teach them directly about poison safety. The following topics can be easily addressed during camp safety education sessions:

Food-related poisoning:

Food poisoning, which is caused by bacteria that grow in certain foods when they are not handled, cooked or stored properly, is always a major health concern during the hot summer months. Most campers will be bringing their lunches to eat later in the day, leaving more time for food to spoil. Educate camp counselors and campers on basic food safety by sharing the following information:

• Foods that cause food poisoning most often are dairy products, such as milk, cheese or yogurt, or other foods that can easily spoil such as meats and gravies. These foods should be refrigerated or avoided altogether.

• Lunch should be eaten in a wellshaded area to help keep the food cool as long as possible. Also, encourage the camps to provide beverages, such as water and juice, to help avoid dehydration and possible heat stroke.

Insect bites and stings:

The great outdoors is known for its bugs and insects. And while most of these pests are simply bothersome, a few of them can be poisonous. Camp directors and counselors should know if any of their campers are allergic to bee stings, mosquito bites or other bug bites. To help prevent poisonings from bugs, spiders and snakes, share the following guidelines:

Children should wear clothing that will cover as much exposed skin as possible when outdoors.

Exercise caution when using insect repellents. Many of these products contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-mtoluamide), one of the most effective ingredients in topical insect repellents. However, DEET may be dangerous. Current studies show that it is acceptable to use concentrations of up to 30 percent for adults and children as young as two months old.

Do not reach into rocky cracks, or under logs and large rocks.

Do not touch a snake even if it looks dead; a snake can bite up to one hour after its death.

Poisonous plants and mushrooms:

Wooded lots, forest preserves and other grassy areas are popular spots for camp groups. Make campers aware of the many toxic plants that may grow in these locations.

Two of the more common toxic plants are Poison Ivy and Poison Oak. Other plants to caution against are oxeye daisy, jimson weed and black nightshade. Poisonous mushrooms also can be found across the state of Illinois – on lawns, in fields, on forest floors and on rotting wood. To avoid poisonings from plants and mushrooms:

• Teach children never to put mushrooms, berries or any part of a plant – including leaves, flowers, stems, bulbs or seeds – in their mouths.

• Do not assume a plant is non-toxic because birds or wildlife eat it.

• Review the list of toxic plants on the Illinois Poison Center Web site, www.IllinoisPoisonCenter.org. Include a telephone sticker or magnet with the Illinois Poison Center’s toll-free number, 1-800-222- 1222, in each camper’s backpack. And be sure to leave one with the camp director as well.

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