July 30, 2024 Resources for August Observances Here is a list of resources for August observances: Month-Long Observances SUMMER SUN SAFETY MONTH CDC Shares Sun Safety Tips for Schools, Trying Together Allegheny County Shares Summer Safety Guidance, Trying Together Summer Safety Brochure, Allegheny County Health Department, Trying Together Reducing Risk for Skin Cancer, CDC Be Safe in the Sun, American Cancer Society Sun Protection, American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Sun Protection Tips for Those with Black and Brown Skin, Boston University Sun Safety and Prevention, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH (NIAM) August is National Immunization Awareness Month, Trying Together National Immunization Awareness Month, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Recommended Vaccinations for Infants and Children, Parent-Friendly Version, Birth Through 6 Years, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccines for Your Children By Age, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Spanish/Espanol National Immunization Awareness Month, Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association CHILDREN’S EYE HEALTH AND SAFETY MONTH An Eye Health Information Tool Kit for Parents and Caregivers, National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health Eye Health and Safety for Kids, National Eye Institute (NEI) National Center Releases Guide on Children’s Eye Health, Trying Together Get Free or Low-Cost Eye Care for Children, National Eye Institute (NEI) Eye Conditions and Diseases, National Eye Institute (NEI) Spanish/Espanol 6 Ways to Be Proactive About Your Child’s Eye Health, John Hopkins Medicine Resources for Parents of Blind and Low-Vision Children, Library of Congress: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Parenting Without Sight: What Attorneys and Social Workers Should Know About Blindness, National Federation of the Blind How to Get Free Audio Books for the Blind and Visually Impaired, The Braille Institute 25+ Children’s Books Featuring Visually Impaired Characters, WonderBaby BACK TO SCHOOL MONTH Allegheny Child Care What is Allegheny Child Care? 2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration Information, Trying Together Public Schools Enrollment Page, Pittsburgh Public Schools Top 10 Skills for Children Entering Kindergarten, Trying Together Your Child is Going to Kindergarten: Family Guide (ECLKC), Trying Together Kindergarten Transition: A Guide for Families, Trying Together NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING MONTH Breastfeeding Resources, Breastfeeding Center of Pittsburgh, Trying Together Breastfeeding Classes August is National Breastfeeding Month: Nourish, Sustain, Thrive, U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) Lactation Support, Healthy Start Center for Urban Breastfeeding (HSCUB) Breastfeeding, Kids Plus Pediatrics Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle (PBBC) Breastfeeding Resources, Birth Doulas of Pittsburgh Weeks of Recognition AUGUST 6 – 12 IS EXERCISE WITH YOUR CHILD WEEK Childhood Physical Health: Resources, Trying Together Play and Physical Activity Guide for Educators & Families, Trying Together Supporting Childhood Physical Health: A Guide for Families – The Importance of Exercise, Trying Together Using Play to Support Children’s Physical Health, Trying Together Air Quality Tips and Training Available for Families and Educators, Trying Together Days of Recognition AUGUST 1 IS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT (NNO) National Night Out, City of Pittsburgh City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety About National Night Out National Night Out Resources AUGUST 9 IS NATIONAL BOOK LOVER’S DAY Carnegie Library Names 12 Best Books for Babies for 2024, Trying Together OCDEL to Kick Off Third Annual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip, Trying Together Toolkit: Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success, Trying Together Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together Books to Celebrate Gender Expression, Inclusion, and Pride, Trying Together Children’s Books About Transitions, Trying Together Children’s Books About Mental Health, Trying Together AUGUST 15 IS BACK TO SCHOOL PREP DAY 2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration Information, Trying Together 101 Back-to-School Tips for Parents and Kids, Care.com Back-to-School Tips for Families, HealthyChildren.org 10 Considerations Before Going Back to School as a Parent, Parents Magazine AUGUST 26 IS WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY Family Guide: Gender and Gender Identity, Trying Together Women’s Equality Day, The National Women’s History Alliance Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) The Pittsburgh Women’s Alliance Women’s Issues Support Groups in Pittsburgh, Psychology Today The Women and Girls Foundation
July 29, 2024 Tips for Protecting Children During August’s Summer Sun Safety Month With the summer season in full swing and school being out – which means more youth outdoors – now is a good time to consider how to keep children safe while spending long periods of time in the sun. Learn More August is observed as Summer Sun Safety Month. So, now is a good time to learn how to stay safe while spending time in the sun and preventing sunburn, sun poisoning, skin cancer, or other heat-related ailments. Skin cancer is often caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays, which come from the sun, tanning beds, and ultralamps. UV rays are an invisible type of radiation that can cause damage to skin cells, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is important to protect children from UV rays all year-round. The rays can reach individuals on cloudy days and can reflect off such surfaces as water, cement, sand, or snow. There are a number of methods for keeping children safe while spending time outdoors on hot, sunny days. The CDC recommends: Making sure they spend time in the shade, especially when engaging in activities Encouraging the use of hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen Not scheduling outdoor activities on days when the sun is strongest or the temperatures are especially high Providing breaks during outdoor activities to allow children to reapply sunscreen and drink water More Resources Additional tips on staying safe in the sun – but also tips on water safety, bug bites, and other topics – can be found in a 2023 brochure released by Allegheny County. Below are some resources on how to protect children and yourself during Summer Sun Safety Month – and during all months when outdoor activity is prevalent. CDC Shares Sun Safety Tips for Schools, Trying Together Allegheny County Shares Summer Safety Guidance, Trying Together Summer Safety Brochure, Allegheny County Health Department, Trying Together Reducing Risk for Skin Cancer, CDC Be Safe in the Sun, American Cancer Society Sun Protection, American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Sun Protection Tips for Those with Black and Brown Skin, Boston University Sun Safety and Prevention, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
