July 31, 2008
Back to School Safety
It's almost time for school again and parents and grandparents need to start thinking about back to school safety. How do your children get to school? Do they ride the school bus or Centro bus? Do they walk? Do they get a ride to school? It is important that you routinely practice the rules related to each form of transportation. When you receive the school district's bus rules, ask your children to tell you what they are. It is a good opportunity to refresh their memory.
Practice walking to school. If your school has a crossing guard, remind your children to cross with the guard. If you walk your children to school, you must also obey the crossing guard; he or she is there for everyone's safety.
Finally, if you take your child to school in your car, know the rules for drop-off and pick-up. These rules are to help make the schoolyard safer. Make sure everyone is buckled up for the ride especially if teens are transporting teens. Teenagers are less likely to buckle their seat belts than any other age group. If you do not receive "back to school" information from your child's school, call your school district's transportation office for important school safety messages.
World Breastfeeding Week
World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7. The health benefits of breastfeeding can last a lifetime. Breastmilk is the best food for most babies. Breastmilk contains all the nutrients a baby needs for healthy growth and development during the first six months of life. Breastmilk also helps protect a baby from many illnesses. Breastfeeding also provides health benefits for the mother, including earlier return to her pre-pregnancy weight. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that a baby be breastfed for at least twelve months. Even if you are only able to breastfeed for a short time, your baby will experience health benefits from the breast milk. Click here for more information about breastfeeding your baby.
Keep Ticks Off!
Lyme disease is a serous infection. It is spread by a bite from a deer tick. Although not all ticks carry the disease, it is important to avoid ticks. Keep ticks away by mowing your lawn often, removing brush from your home, keeping the ground under your birdfeeder clean, stacking wood neatly, and keeping playground toys away from trees. Try to stay out of wooded areas. When outdoors, use insect repellent that has DEET or Permethrin in it. Always do tick checks after being outside. Young ticks can be smaller than a pencil point, so check thoroughly and wash your clothing in hot water. For more information call the Onondaga County Health Department at 435-3280.
Are Your Child's Shots Up to Date?
August is National Immunization Awareness Month. If you are a parent or guardian, before school begins review your child's shot record and talk to your health care provider to make sure your child's shots are up to date. Getting shots early can help prevent missed days of school once the year is underway. Schedule your appointment today for any needed shots. If you do not have a provider or cannot get an appointment with your provider, the Onondaga County Health Department Immunization Clinic located at 301 Slocum Avenue in Syracuse offers all shots needed for school entrance. For more information call 435-2000.
Got 30-60 Minutes?
This summer, exercise 30-60 minutes every day for 30 days and earn great prizes! Run, swim, garden, mow the lawn, take your dog for a walk, or do any type of physical activity that you enjoy! Track your fitness goal by downloading your "Get Moving CNY" log sheet and information packet at the County Parks website or by calling: 453-6712. After 30 days of activity, mail, fax, or drop your log sheet off at Onondaga Lake Park! Begin this FREE program today. It's the fit thing to do!
Farmers Markets…Buy Local!
This summer, enjoy the locally grown vegetables and fruits at your farmers market. They sell many kinds of locally grown produce that change with the season. You can find many of your favorites as well as other items that you may not have tried before. During early summer you can expect to find salad greens, spinach, peas, broccoli, radishes, strawberries, raspberries and cherries at the farmers markets. Mid-summer months offer tomatoes, corn, peppers, potatoes and summer squash. Late summer and early fall months provide peaches, pears, apples, cauliflower and more! Come every Wednesday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. to the WIC Farmers Market at 375 West Onondaga Street through October 29th. Enjoy your fruits and vegetables at the farmers markets this summer and fall!
National KidsDay
Sunday August 3, 2008 is National KidsDay. Children ask why America celebrates "Mother's Day" and "Father's Day," but has no "Kids' Day." National KidsDay fills that gap and reminds us that it's important to spend meaningful time with the children in our lives.
National KidsDay is a special holiday, not to spend your money – but to spend your time. It's what all the kids are asking for this year. It is a time to celebrate childhood, to show our commitment to children, and to inspire those around us to love and appreciate children.
On National KidsDay, take the time to play with the kids in your life – you will all come out winners! Have fun and enjoy some of these activities with your children. Spend an afternoon playing hide and seek, musical chairs, do the hokey pokey or just get out and go for a walk! For more information, ideas and ways to celebrate with kids that are special in your life, visit the KidsDay Website.
Safe Summer Food Handling
During the summer months, picnics, cookouts and barbecues are a way of life. Keeping food safe during these outdoor activities is simple and takes only a small amount of time. Some tips to help keep your food safe include:
· Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot to help limit the growth of bacteria that can cause sickness. Use insulated coolers and ice to keep foods cold. Always place raw meats separately from cooked or prepared foods during storage in your cooler or use a separate cooler for raw food.
· Cook poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F. Hamburger and other ground meats need to be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Use of digital or metal stem thermometers makes it easy to know that foods reach the proper temperature. These thermometers are inexpensive and easy to use so there's no need to guess!
· Never put cooked food on the same dish that was used to store raw meat. Always use clean dishes when carrying cooked foods from the grill or stove/oven!
· Throw out any hot or cold foods that have been left out at room temperature for two hours or more. Remember, when in doubt about a food – throw it out.
Following these simple tips will help everyone have a safe and enjoyable summer. For more information on food safety and preparation, feel free to contact the Food Protection Section at 435-6607 or visit www.foodsafety.com.
Protect Your Pets with a Rabies Shot
Rabies shot clinics are held at various locations throughout Onondaga County and are free for Onondaga County residents. A voluntary donation per family is appreciated. Please be sure to keep your pet on a leash or in a carrier during the rabies clinic and bring past shot records with you. New York State Public Health Law requires that all puppies and kittens get vaccinated at three months of age, get a booster shot at one year old and then every three years. Ferrets must get vaccinated every year. Upcoming clinics are listed below or click here for a complete list of Health Department clinics.
· Monday, August 4, 5:00-7:00 pm: Village of Minoa DPW, 100 Kalin Dr., Minoa
· Monday, August 11, 5:00-7:00 pm: Skaneateles Fire Dept., 77 W. Genesee St, Skaneateles
· Monday, August 18, 5:00-7:00 pm: St. Lucy's Church, 432 Gifford St, Syracuse
· Tuesday, September 9, 6:00-8:00 pm: S.P.C.A., 5878 E. Molloy Road, Mattydale
|
|
|
|
