During the summer, cicadas, known for their bright red eyes and loud noises, may emerge in your yard and trees. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are completely harmless and Dr. Brian Curtis from OSF HealthCare encourages people to embrace nature’s rarity and enjoy their presence. While cicadas can be quite loud during the daytime, there’s no need to lose sleep over them.
As much as we love outdoor activities like grilling during the summer months, it’s crucial to prioritize safety before lighting up the barbecue. The first step is to ensure that your gas grill is primed correctly to prevent a dangerous buildup of gas that could lead to an explosion. When using charcoal and lighter fluid, it’s important to be cautious and avoid pouring too much fluid as this can result in flash burns. Dr. Stathis Poulakidas, the medical director of OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center’s Burn Unit, warns about the dangers of storing flammable materials like gasoline and turpentine in the garage.
If you accidentally get lighter fluid on your skin while grilling, it’s essential to move away from the grill immediately and wash your hands and arms thoroughly before lighting the flame again. To prevent any flare-ups when lighting the flame, having a fire extinguisher on hand is always a good precautionary measure. Lastly, it’s advisable to avoid consuming alcohol while grilling as it can impair judgment and coordination which could lead to accidents.
In conclusion, while cicadas may be scary looking insects that invade our yards during summer months, they are harmless creatures that we should appreciate for their rarity in nature. On the other hand, safety should always come first when engaging in outdoor activities such as grilling or any other activity that involves fire or flammable materials.
