To ensure a pleasant visit at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Indiana Dunes State Park, follow these safety tips:
- Reduce your chance of tick and mosquito bites by avoiding low-lying brush. Use insect repellent and wear light colored, long-sleeved shirts, and tucked-in pants. To prevent tick disease, conduct frequent tick-checks. Avoid peak mosquito activity from dusk to dawn.
- Stay out of the water when there are high, breaking waves and rip currents. Don't get pulled out into deeper water by a forceful, unexpected rip current. Even a strong swimmer can drown! Rip currents are caused by a sudden break in an offshore sandbar that releases water rapidly back into the lake. Obey posted and verbal rip current warnings.
- Follow E. coli warnings posted on beaches. Swimming in E. coli contaminated water can cause intestinal illnesses, skin irritations, or ear infections.
- Prevent heat illnesses by drinking lots of water and taking it easy on hot days. Stay in the shade and dress lightly in layers. Heat exhaustion symptoms include quick pulse, nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure, pale and clammy skin, and the feeling of exhaustion. Heat stroke may follow if heat exhaustion is not treated. With heat stroke the heart pounds, perspiration stops, the body temperature rises, and the skin becomes flushed and hot. This potentially fatal medical emergency must be treated immediately.
- Guard against sunburn and skin cancer by applying sunscreen and wearing a wide brimmed hat. Stay out of the midday sun.
- Avoid the poison ivy plant that can cause a nasty rash. If you accidentally touch it, wash yourself as soon as possible.
For emergencies, call 1-800-PARKTIP, or for more information call the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center at 219-395-8914.
