Stay safe!

Be safe! Did you know the color of your swimsuit could save your life?

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Swimming is a fun and refreshing activity, but you should be careful: dangers are lurking out there. Even the bluest and clearest lakes, rivers, and creeks can expose you to a number of invisible threats. In addition to the risk of drowning, microscopic organisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause unpleasant symptoms like stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. If you're planning a good old summer dive, these 10 safety tips will come in handy on your next vacation.

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As with everything in life, being prepared for swimming is also a good thing. In addition to making sure you have good swimming techniques for both calm and rougher waters, you can learn some useful skills in case of an emergency. For example, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training can help you save a life.

If you are not a good swimmer or if you are still learning, don't go into deep water. Always swim with someone else, whether you are swimming in a pool or a lake. Even experienced swimmers can get tired or suffer muscle cramps, which can make it difficult to get out of the water safely.

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Believe it or not, something as basic as the color of your swimsuit can save your life. Experts recommend wearing swimsuits in bright, bold colors such as red, neon yellow, or orange. Colors like blue and green may be harder to detect in the water, especially on clear or deep bottoms. If you happen to be drowning, a lifeguard or friend will be able to find you more easily if you are wearing bright colors.

Another good idea is to choose large, contrasting designs or patterns that can also help improve visibility.

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You may have always thought that goggles, earplugs, and nose plugs were only useful in swimming pools that are treated with a lot of chlorine. However, it may be a good idea to use them also in natural bodies of water to avoid catching viruses, bacteria, and other infections, such as swimmers' ear.

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If you thought only contaminated food could give you E. coli or Salmonella, think again. You can also get these bacteria from swimming in a body of water. How is this possible? Mainly through animal fecal contamination. Traces of livestock manure, for example, can easily be washed into a lake after a storm.

At the same time, heavy rain can contaminate the water with other dangerous agents, such as chemicals and human sewage. Therefore, it is best to wait a few days before going back into the water after a storm to avoid catching viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

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Is your favorite summer spot very crowded and often filled with garbage and other debris, such as dog waste? In that case, it may be better to look for a new place that is well-maintained and therefore safer.

Keep in mind that birds tend to congregate in places with more scattered food and garbage. If the area where you go swimming is surrounded by trash cans that aren't regularly emptied, lots of birds will gather there. Then, the feces of those birds will surely make their way into the water, contaminating it.

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Water quality at popular coastal beaches is monitored regularly, and if environmental scientists find any irregularities, they can warn swimmers when the water is contaminated. However, monitoring in inland bodies of water is less frequent.

But don't worry. If you were planning to dive into your favorite lake and now you have doubts about its safety, you should know every state has online resources you can check to make sure the water you'll be swimming in is safe.

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You are surrounded by nature, you’ve just taken a long hike to find a crystal clear lake, and you are really thirsty. The first thing that comes to your mind is drinking that fresh and delicious water. Tempting as it may be, don't do it.

Even if you don't see them, animals like beavers, for example, often go to the bathroom in nice-looking water streams. It is their habitat, after all. But if you fill your canteen with that water, chances are you'll end up with a parasite.

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When we are on vacation out in nature, doing all kinds of activities and sports, it is common to get injured. Open wounds can be at risk of catching flesh-eating bacteria. So if you have any cuts or scrapes, avoid going into the water until they have healed completely. This is also true for fresh tattoos or piercings.

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Children should always swim with adult supervision. According to the CDC, in the United States, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause in children ages 5 to 14.

Whether you're in your backyard, at a public pool, or at the beach, make sure there is always a responsible adult assigned to watch the children when they are in the water.

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Although swimming in the open sea is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable activities, it also conceals many dangers. Always swim close to the lifeguards. It is estimated that the probability of drowning on a beach protected by trained lifeguards is less than one in 18 million per year. Lifeguards can also advise you on the safest spots to swim and which areas to avoid.

Also, beware of rip tides. These are powerful currents flowing away from shores that can occur at any beach, including the Great Lakes. If you find yourself caught in one, swim parallel to shore until you are out of danger. If you get tired, float on your back.

Bad picks from the forest

Deadly fungi: 10 poisonous mushrooms you don't want to mess with

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Going mushroom hunting in the woods during the fall or spring can be a fun and rewarding activity. However, it is important to first learn how to differentiate between edible and poisonous fungi. Depending on the species, mushrooms can pose different dangers. Some may cause minor indigestion, while others can be fatal. In this article, we’ll unmask 10 dangerous mushrooms you should stay away from. Do you know which species is responsible for the most mushroom-related fatalities each year?

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When we think of mushrooms, the first image that often comes to mind is a cute little red cap covered in white dots. Amanita muscaria is the classic mushroom found in children's books and is likely the most photographed mushroom in the world. But did you know it can be dangerous?

This mushroom’s colloquial name, fly agaric, probably derives from its traditional use as a fly killer. It has also been used throughout history in religious rites for its hallucinogenic properties. However, the presence of several toxins can produce other effects as well, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Although it is not the most poisonous of all mushrooms, it’s best not to be seduced by its charming appearance—stay away from it.

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Cortinarius orellanus is a medium-sized mushroom with a cylindrical yellowish stem, an orange-brown cap, saffron-colored gills, and yellowish flesh. Commonly known as the fool’s webcap, it is native to Europe and is typically found in mountain forests. It prefers moist, organic-rich soils and is most prevalent during the summer and fall months.

The fool’s webcap is one of the most poisonous mushrooms known to exist. It contains orellanin, a nephrotoxic compound that can cause severe kidney damage in humans. Symptoms of poisoning—including lower back pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea—can take several days to appear, making diagnosis and treatment especially difficult.

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This species is considered one of the few toxic members of the Boletus genus. In the areas where it grows—warmer regions of Europe—it is feared for its poisonous effects, which appear shortly after ingestion. Although caution is warranted, it is not a deadly mushroom; however, it can cause dehydration, diarrhea, nausea, and severe abdominal pain.

Despite bearing some resemblance to edible mushrooms, its size often gives it away. Satan’s bolete can reach up to 20 inches in width, and it is not uncommon to find specimens weighing around 4.5 pounds. Its cap is beige, it has a bulbous red stem, its flesh is light yellow and turns blue when cut, and it emits a notably unpleasant odor.

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Psilocybe semilanceata, commonly known as the liberty cap, is a mushroom known for its psychotropic effects. It grows mainly in humid and temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Europe. It has a distinctive nipple-shaped cap, and its color ranges from whitish when young to brown as it matures. The mushroom has a bitter taste.

Although the liberty cap is considered to have low toxicity, its ingestion can produce a range of effects, including altered perception of space and time. It may also cause temporary paranoia, with effects typically lasting between 3 and 6 hours. For this reason, its consumption is not recommended outside of a controlled environment.

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Eating even a single piece of Amanita virosa can cause irreversible liver damage, and you should be especially careful because it can be easily mistaken for edible white-capped species.

In the eastern United States, the destroying angel appears from early summer to early autumn. It has a white cap that is initially ovoid and later flattens with age. The stalk is slender and covered with fine hairs, and it features a membranous ring. Despite its pleasant smell and reportedly good taste, this mushroom is extremely poisonous—ingesting it can result in death.

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The false morel can be found in spring in coniferous forests. Its cap is brain-like, with intricate wrinkles and folds, and its color ranges from light brown to reddish brown depending on humidity.

Despite its scientific name—Gyromitra esculenta ("esculenta" meaning "edible")—the false morel is highly toxic unless properly prepared. In some individuals, it can be dangerous even after cooking; its toxins are volatile, and poisoning can occur by inhaling the fumes released during boiling. Nevertheless, the false morel remains a popular mushroom in some European countries, such as Finland, where it is used in certain traditional dishes. Would you dare to try it?

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Lepiota brunneoincarnata may be tiny in size, but it is unquestionably deadly. It’s important to be able to recognize this mushroom and exercise caution when encountering it in the wild. The good news is that its appearance differs significantly from most edible species, making it less likely to be confused with them.

Commonly known as the deadly dapperling, this mushroom is found throughout Europe and parts of Asia. It typically appears during the summer and autumn months in meadows, parks, gardens, shrublands, and along roadsides. It contains a toxin called amatoxin, which is absorbed through the digestive tract and can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and vomiting. If not treated promptly, it can lead to death within a week.

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Galerina marginata, known colloquially as autumn skullcap, is found in coniferous forests across North America, Europe, Asia, Japan, and Australia. Although it can appear at various times of the year, it is most commonly found in autumn. It has a soft brownish color, and its cap surface is often slimy with a greasy appearance.

Like the deadly dapperling, the autumn skullcap contains amatoxins, which interfere with essential cellular functions. The first symptoms of poisoning appear 6 to 24 hours after ingestion. It can cause renal failure and eventually death if not treated within the first four days.

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Entoloma sinuatum is responsible for numerous cases of poisoning, as it can be mistaken for several edible species. At first glance, the body of the livid pinkgill looks like a classic field mushroom—its cap often displays a creamy light gray color. It typically grows in clay and limestone-rich soils, especially in beech and oak forests across Europe and parts of North America.

Although it does not have an unpleasant taste, you shouldn’t eat it. It can cause severe gastrointestinal disorders, including persistent diarrhea and vomiting, which may last for several days, and in some cases, up to two weeks.

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The death cap (Amanita phalloides) accounts for the vast majority of mushroom poisoning deaths worldwide—hence its name. Consuming less than 2 ounces of this mushroom is enough to be fatal; an even smaller dose can kill a child and cause severe poisoning in adults.

Native to the United Kingdom and parts of Ireland, the death cap has rapidly spread over the past century to Australia and North America. It can grow up to 6 inches tall and has a domed cap sometimes tinged yellow or green, along with a white stem, which makes it difficult to distinguish from some edible mushrooms. Even its spores are poisonous. Therefore, if you have handled a death cap, avoid touching your mouth and always wash your hands thoroughly before eating.