🚸October is Children's Health Month! 🧩SCDOH's Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program helps residents 0-21, who have a chronic condition, with connections to health care services & resources. 📌Refer here: saratogacountyny.gov/departments/he…

🎗️October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! 💪Breast cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among women. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to reduce risk factors! Stay up to date on annual screenings. 📌To learn more: cdc.gov/breast-cancer/…

💚Yesterday was World Mental Health Day. 🧠It's essential for us to cope with stress in a healthy way. Some strategies include listening to music, exercising, & connecting with others. 📲Help is available: call, text or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline anytime. 🫶You are never alone.

👏Global Handwashing Day reminds us that as cold & flu season starts, handwashing is more important than ever. 🧼Washing hands with soap & water for at least 20 seconds is an effective way to prevent the spread of germs. 📌For more: cdc.gov/clean-hands/ab…

👶October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. ⚠️Unsafe sleep practices for infants can lead to death caused by SIDS. 💤Infants should sleep on their back, only in a crib or bassinet & with no other people or objects inside. ℹ️: safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov

‼️ During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, we are highlighting the importance of protecting children from lead poisoning. 🩸Test children at ages 1 & 2, be mindful of certain risk factors. There is NO safe lead level for children. 📌Learn more: saratogacountyny.gov/departments/he…

🗓️The DEA Drug Take Back Day is 10/26/24 from 10 AM-2:00 PM. 📌Locations: dea.gov/takebackday ⚠️Proper disposal of medications is crucial. 🏡At-home disposal systems (Deterra) allow for safe disposal of liquids, pills, & patches that are unwanted, unused, or expired.

🎃This Halloween, be aware that many cannabis products (such as edibles) look similar to regular products like candy. 🍭Practice safe trick-or-treating! 📲Call 1-800-222-1222 if an accidental exposure is suspected. 📈For more on cannabis exposures: poison.savealifeto.day

🤒It's flu season! 💉As we head into the holidays, protect yourself & your loved ones by getting vaccinated against the flu. ⏳It takes ~2 weeks for your body to develop the antibodies needed to fight the flu so don't wait! 📍Vaccine locations: vaccines.gov

🗣️November is Diabetes Awareness Month! 📈Diabetes is the 8th leading cause of death in the U.S. 🧩Diabetes is also one of the many health conditions included in the CYSHCN Program: for children 0-21 years old. 📌Refer to CYSHCN here: saratogacountyny.gov/departments/he…

💞Today is World Kindness Day! Remember, kindness should be the norm in our community. 🫶Remember to be a little kinder to yourself. Acts of kindness make a different for those who may be struggling. 📲Need help: call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

🦌Protect yourself from tickborne diseases this hunting season. ⚠️Hunting can bring you in close contact with ticks, so take the proper safety precautions to reduce your chances of being bitten! 📌Learn more about tick bite prevention: cdc.gov/ticks.

🧠November is Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. There are over 6 million American's living with Alzheimer's Disease. 📞The Alzheimer's Association Helpline is available 24/7 for help & support. Call 800-272-3900. 📌More resources can be found here: alz.org/northeasternny.

🚭The Great American Smokeout is held every year in November. 🗓️Make a plan to start your quit journey today! 📲For help quitting, call the NYS Smokers' Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or visit: nysmokefree.org.

🍽️No matter how you celebrate, it's important to prepare your holiday meats properly to prevent food poisoning. 📌Ensure meats are at proper temperature, separate raw meat when preparing, & chill leftovers. 📞Call the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854 with concerns.

❤️World AIDS Day falls on 12/1 - a time to honor all those who have been affected by AIDS-related illness. 🔎SCDOH offers HIV Rapid Testing at their Sexual Health Clinic. 📞Call 518-584-7460 x 8597 to make an appointment.

🤧 It’s National Influenza Vaccination Week! ⌛There’s still time to get a flu vaccine this season for everyone 6 months and older. A flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu & its potentially serious outcomes. 📍Find a vaccine location: vaccines.gov/en

🚦It's important for aging adults to talk about driving safety long before difficulties arise. 🚙Remember: It is a person’s driving performance, not age, that determines fitness to drive. 📌 To learn more, please visit: nhtsa.gov/road-safety/ol…

🔥Fire safety is key during the holiday season. 🎄Check warning labels on holiday lights. 🕯️Properly place candles when burning. 🧯Take simple precautions to protect yourself & your loved ones. 🏡Keep your home safe this holiday season.