PNW Summer Safety Checklist

Summer in the Pacific Northwest is an incredible time to get outside. Whether you’re planning to dance at a music festival, attend a Fan Zone event, or just spend a quiet afternoon basking in nature, we’ve got tips to help you get the most out of summer.

General tips

• Stay hydrated. If it’s hot, drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after outdoor activity. Aim to sip at least 2 to 3 liters of water daily, eat water-rich foods, and avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate your body. 
• Be aware of high-touch surfaces. Germs can survive for days on surfaces like plastic or metal. Objects that are frequently touched, such as doorknobs, checkout counters, and faucet handles, can be hotspots for the transfer of bacteria or viruses. Wash your hands regularly, and avoid touching your face after touching surfaces in high-traffic areas.

Extreme Heat

• Drink by the clock: Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. When active in the heat, aim to sip 2 to 3 liters of water throughout the day. If you are exerting yourself, drink about 3/4 to 1 quart (about two standard water bottles) every single hour.
• Limit dehydrating drinks: Cut back on excessive alcohol and caffeine, which cause your body to lose fluids faster.
• Never leave children, vulnerable adults, or pets inside a parked car. Even with the windows cracked on a mild 75°F day, temperatures inside a vehicle can skyrocket to deadly levels in just a few minutes.
• Know the signs of heat illness: Move anyone experiencing muscle cramps, dizziness, or nausea into the shade and give them water. If someone has hot, red skin, a rapid pulse, confusion, or loses consciousness, call 911 immediately. This is heat stroke, a medical emergency.
• Have a heat plan: visit MyHeatPlan.org to get more tips on staying cool in extreme heat.

Wildfire Smoke

• Monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI): Visit airnow.gov and enter your location to check local air quality. 
• When the AQI rises above 100: The air is unhealthy for sensitive groups (children, pregnant individuals, older adults, and anyone with heart or lung conditions). They should move activities indoors and filter the indoor air. 
• When the AQI hits 150 or higher: Everyone should limit outdoor activity. If you cannot avoid going outside, a well-fitted N95 mask offers good protection for most people. Call 911 if you have difficulty breathing or chest pain.

Food Safety

We have many wonderful food vendors in our community committed to food safety. Green flags to look for in a food vendor include: 

• They have refrigeration and hand washing. No refrigeration for storing meat or prepared foods, no facilities for washing hands or utensils, operating from folding tables under a tent, or using food equipment that is not inside a food truck or cart can be red flags that a vendor has not passed an inspection. 
• They have a county-issued food permit. Mobile vendors offering food at events must have a permit to operate and pass a pre-operational inspection before opening.
• They have a passing food safety inspection report on our website.

Water Safety

• Obey all safety signs and closures. Check beach conditions before you go: visit our Surface Water Advisories page for beach closures, and sign up for email and text alerts when we issue advisories.
• Watch out for warm water hazards: Warmer weather makes bacteria grow faster. Be aware of Vibrio bacteria in salt water and toxic blue-green algae blooms (HABs) in fresh water. See our Recreational Water Quality page for more info. 
• Protect yourself from waterborne bacteria. Use clean water and soap after touching natural water, especially before eating. Never swallow water from lakes, rivers, or the ocean. Shower or towel off vigorously right after swimming instead of letting the water air-dry on your skin, and stay out of the water if you have cuts or scrapes to avoid infections.
• Know before you dig: Before harvesting local shellfish, always check the Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Safety website or look for warning signs posted at the beach. Naturally occurring marine biotoxins, like Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP), can contaminate shellfish and make them unsafe to eat. Keep in mind that cooking does not destroy these toxins, so you should never eat shellfish taken from closed areas. However, any shellfish you buy in retail stores or order at restaurants are safe to eat, as they are strictly tested before hitting the market.
• Gear up for cold water: Always wear a life jacket (life preserver) in cold water, as cold shock can make swimming incredibly difficult. Even on a 90°F summer day, PNW lakes and rivers are often fed by mountain snowmelt and remain cold enough to cause sudden shock or hypothermia. Jumping into cold water can lead to muscle failure and shock within seconds or minutes, even for strong swimmers.
• Avoid alcohol, cannabis, or other impairing drugs while swimming, boating, or supervising children.
• Use the buddy system: Never swim, kayak, or paddle alone—always look out for each other.