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Welcome to the July edition of Health Link, where we are sharing opportunities for summer fun in Steele County while highlighting resources to keep you safe and healthy this summer!
UV Protection: This July, we are supporting the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) to raise awareness that ultraviolet (UV) is the root cause of most skin cancers and to encourage the public to take precautions: 1) Seek shade when appropriate, 2) Wear sun-protective clothing, and 3) Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Visit https://www.aad.org/member/advocacy/promote/uv-awareness for more information.
Drowning Prevention: In addition to protecting yourself from the sun at the beach or pool, it's also important to be aware of how to keep yourself and your family safe from drowning. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance shares strategies to prevent drowning, called the 5 Layers of Protection: 1) Barriers & Alarms, 2) Supervision, 3) Water Competency, 4) Life Jackets, & 5) Emergency Preparation. Learn more on their website: https://ndpa.org/.
Summer Driving: Lastly, follow these tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for safe summer road trips: 1) Know the safety features of your vehicle, 2) Service your car before your trip, 3) Check tire pressure and tread, 4) Check A/C performance, 5) Inspect belts and hoses under the hood, & 6) Check for safety recalls. Remember to stay alert, avoid speeding, use seatbelts, have an emergency roadside kit, properly install car seats, and never leave anyone in a parked vehicle. Safe cars save lives! Visit the NHTSA website for more details: https://www.nhtsa.gov/summer-driving-tips.
In the rest of this month's newsletter, you'll read about our Car Seat Program, recreational opportunities throughout the county, and resources for flood cleanup and well water testing. Click the buttons below to visit our website or watch the latest HealthTalk episodes. Have fun and stay safe this summer, Steele County!
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Car Seat Program at Steele County Public Health
According to MN Safety Council, 80% of child car seats are installed incorrectly. With the increase in travel during the summer, we’d like to point out a few tips to keep kids safer on those car rides. Most errors are simple ones that can easily be corrected. Here are a few reminders:
- ˚Keep children in a rear-facing car safety seat until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat.
- ˚Tighten harness straps so they are snug against the child.
- ˚Slide the clip to the baby's or child's armpit level. ˚
- Make sure seats do not move more than an inch from side-to-side or front-to-back.
- ˚Don’t rush your child into a bigger car seat or seat belt.
- Follow your car seat instruction manual or seat label for weight and height limits.
Steele County Public Health's Car Seat Program provides free car seat checks and education by trained child passenger safety technicians (pictured above). Please call SCPH for an appointment: (507) 444-7650.
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Rec On The Go & Other Recreational Activities!
Calling all Owatonna residents! Rec On The Go is a brand new program with FREE, accessible activities in City parks! The program is designed to make recreation inclusive and convenient for everyone. Mark your calendars for the launch party on July 20 from 6 until 9 p.m. at Central Park, just prior to the Movie in the Park! There will be fun activities for all ages.
Watch for details about upcoming dates, locations and exciting activities on the Owatonna Parks, Recreation & Facilities Facebook page. A big thanks to program sponsor Gopher Sport for helping create this unforgettable summer experience!
For more activities and opportunities offered by the Owatonna Parks, Recreation, & Facilities Department, check out their 2024 Spring/Summer Activity Guide! This guide includes a variety of programs for all ages, many of which support healthy lifestyles.
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Additional recreational opportunities:
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Resources for Flood Cleanup & Recovery
With the heavy rainfall and flooding the past couple of weeks, Steele County Public Health would like to share resources with you regarding how to stay safe after flooding during the cleanup and recovery phase:
- Avoid flooded roads and do not drive around barricades.
- Wear work gloves, protective clothing, and boots during clean up.
- Use appropriate face coverings and goggles if cleaning mold or other debris.
- Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water.
- Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated or contain harmful debris.
Lastly, here are some important resources to support you during this time:
For more resources on flood safety, visit Ready.gov/Floods or the MDH Floods website.
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Free Flooded Well Test Kits
Was your well affected by the recent flooding? SCPH is offering FREE flooded well water test kits (just pay shipping).
Take action to make sure your well water is free from bacterial contamination and safe for your family to drink. Pick up your free test kit today while supplies last!
Call (507) 444-7650 with any questions.
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Calling all teens grades 7-12! Come enjoy FREE ice cream and a drink, alongside a drawing for Old Town Bagels gift cards! There will be tabletop and video games, coloring, and plenty of opportunities to connect with other teens in a safe and supervised environment.
The Ice Cream Social, hosted by Old Town Bagels and the United Way of Steele County will take place on Wednesday, July 24th, 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Old Town Bagels, 207 N Cedar Ave.
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Visit Us at GEM Days!
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Come visit Steele County Public Health next Thursday & Friday, July 18th &19th at Owatonna's GEM Days!
SCPH will be located in Central Park, staffing a hydration and first aid station. More details about GEM Days can be found on their website: https://owatonnabusiness.org/gem-days.
Hope to see you there!
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Steele County Public Health (SCPH) is dedicated to preventing disease, promoting wellness, and protecting the health of Steele County residents through a variety of services such as family health programs, immunization clinics, and home health care. SCPH also provides resources for radon and water testing, health education, and emergency preparedness to realize its vision of Healthy People in Healthy Communities. |
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