Highlights
Safety Tips for Your Next Beach Visit
A safe day at the beach starts with a little planning. Check your local beach advisory before you go to help you choose the safest place to swim. Beach conditions can change quickly after rain or storms, and advisories tell you if bacteria levels are higher than normal. A quick check can help you pick a clean, healthy spot for your family. Rip currents are another…Read more
Enjoy Summer Safely: Tips for the Whole Family
School is out – and vacations, swimming, summer camps, and playing outside are in! But these activities can cause unwanted health problems such as sunburn, heat-related illness, swimming injuries or drowning, and illness related to tick bites. Review this checklist to keep you and your family safe and healthy this summer. Protect Your Skin from the Sun Sunburns are painful, and too much sun can lead to serious health issues, including cancer. CDC recommends sunscreen with an SPF of…Read more
This World Sickle Cell Day, VDH Reminds You to Know Your Trait
Friday, June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited condition. The blood cells are rigid, sticky and shaped like a crescent, rather than like healthy cells that are round a flexible. People with sickle cell disease often suffer severe chronic pain. The disease can also lead to life-threatening complications. SCD is a disease that is passed from parents to children. If two people have the sickle…Read more