Morris County Health Department

Using insect repellant is one of the easiest ways to help prevent mosquito and tick bites. Apply repellant as directed before spending time outdoors especially in wooded, grassy, or wet areas. A few seconds of your time can reduce the risk of illness spread by those little vampires. 🧛🩸

Find what's right for you and more: http://bit.ly/2rjwL1I

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Lyme disease is spread by the blacklegged tick, which is found in Kansas, though fortunately we only see a small number of confirmed Lyme disease cases each year. One of the most recognizable signs of Lyme disease is a bullseye rash, which appears in 70–80% of cases. Preventing tick bites is the best way to protect yourself from Lyme disease and other tickborne illnesses.

Learn more at: https://bit.ly/4vhmSwZ

Tick season is starting in Kansas and will continue through early fall, bringing increased risk of tickborne diseases. The most common illnesses include Ehrlichiosis, Spotted Fever Rickettsioses, Lyme disease and Tularemia. Tickborne disease risk can vary depending on where you are in Kansas and the time of year. Certain ticks are more active in specific regions and seasons such as the Lone star tick, shown, which is a common tick and an aggressive biter that can spread ehrlichiosis, tularemia and Alpha-gal syndrome (the red meat allergy).

To learn more about these diseases, tick bite prevention and more visit: https://bit.ly/43eXWKA

Don't forget that babies and young kids have thinner skin than adults, which can make them more prone to serious burns. When you're gearing up for some time out in the sun, remember these tips from :

🧴Apply generously and liberally to all exposed areas, especially the face, nose, ears, feet and hands, and even the backs of the knees

😎 Wear sunglasses with UV protection. Look for child-sized sunglasses with UV protection too.

☀️ Limit sun exposure between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm when UV rays are strongest.

👶 Keep babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight. Find shade under a tree, an umbrella, or stroller canopy.

⛅ Remember that you can get sunburn even on cloudy days because up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can get through the clouds and UV rays can bounce back from water, sand, snow, and concrete.

Millions across the U.S. are facing their first round of summer heat this week! 🌡️🥵

Your first instinct on a 90-degree day may be to get in the car, crank the AC to max and sit there, but there’s a much faster way to clear out stagnant air. ⤵️

And remember: a parked car gets dangerously hot instantly. Never leave a child alone in a vehicle — not even for a second.

Tummy Time does more than encourage development, it helps babies build the strength and motor skills that support safer movement as they grow.

Regular Tummy Time helps strengthen a baby's neck, shoulders, and core while promoting healthy development. Just remember, Tummy Time is for awake, supervised play only. If your baby falls asleep, move them to their back in a safe sleep space.

Learn more at the Safe Sleep Academy. Link in bio.

You don’t need to be an expert to help your baby sleep safer.

The Safe Sleep Academy is designed for parents and caregivers who want clear, trustworthy guidance on infant safe sleep. It breaks down what matters most, answers common questions, and helps you feel confident about how and where your baby sleeps. Because peace of mind matters, and safe sleep starts with understanding.

www.safesleepacademy.org

Stay safe, hydrate! This is your gentle reminder to drink water today!

School is out and summer is here! If you’re worried about balancing screens and offline activities this summer, you’re not alone. Screens have a time and place, but it’s easy for technology to feel overwhelming and crowd out other interests. Here are a few screen free activities you can try with your child this summer. For more ideas, visit https://bit.ly/48Y90Qr