News

July 27, 2023

Resources for August Observances

Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them.

Here is a list of resources for August observances:

Month-Long Observances

Summer Sun Safety Month

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)

Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

Back to School Month

National Breastfeeding Month

Weeks of Recognition

August 6 – 12 is Exercise with Your Child Week

Days of Recognition

August 1 is National Night Out (NNO)

August 9 is National Book Lovers Day

August 15 is National Back To School Prep Day

August 26 is Women’s Equality Day

News

June 8, 2023

CDC Shares Sun Safety Tips for Schools

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have shared sun safety tips for schools, as recess and other outdoor activities can excessively expose children to the sun.

Teachers, school administrators, child care providers, out-of-school time (OST) professionals, and support staff can take steps to protect students from sun exposure and developing sun-related skin conditions later in life.

Sun Safety Tips For Schools

Increase Shade

Promote Sun-Safe Behaviors

  • Encourage students to wear hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen outdoors.
  • Try to avoid scheduling outdoor activities when the sun is strongest.
  • Provide breaks during outdoor activities so that students can reapply sunscreen and get water.

Use Proven Educational Programs

  • Proven skin cancer prevention interventions and educational programs are available for child care centers and schools.
  • The National Cancer Institute’s Evidence-Based Cancer Control Programs website lists sun-safety programs for schools.

Additional Information & Resources

About UV Rays and Sun Exposure

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are an invisible kind of radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps. UV rays can damage skin cells.

Protection from UV rays is important all year, not just during the summer. UV rays can reach individuals on cloudy and cool days, and they reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow.

In the continental United States, UV rays tend to be strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daylight saving time (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. standard time).

The UV Index forecasts the strength of UV rays each day. If the UV index is 3 or higher in your area, protect skin from too much exposure to the sun.

Additional Resources

The following resources offer additional information on sun exposure and sunscreen application:

Learn More

To learn more, visit the CDC website.

News

June 5, 2023

Allegheny County Shares Summer Safety Guidance

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) and Department of Health (ACDOH) have published a Summer Safety Guide and Video to help families implement protective practices in the coming months.

About the Summer Safety Guide and Video

Warmer, sunny days encourage adults and children to get out and enjoy their surroundings. The Summer Safety Guide and Video offer some simple tips that make summer more fun and safe.

These resources include information on:

  • basic safety
  • car safety
  • sun safety
  • bug bites and stings
  • safety on wheels (bikes, skateboards, in-line skates, motorcycles, etc.)
  • play safety
  • campfires, grills, and fireworks
  • fire safety
  • water safety
  • open windows/doors
  • chemical/poison safety

Access the Summer Safety Guide and Video

Access the Summer Safety Guide 

Access the Summer Safety Video

Learn More

To learn more, visit the ACDHS website.

News

July 17, 2020

New Summer Safety Brochure Available for Families

Thanks to the warm weather and sunshine, summer in Pennsylvania offers plenty of opportunities to get outside, get active, and enjoy family activities. By heeding some simple tips, parents and caregivers can ensure that summer is both safe and fun!

New Brochure Available

The Allegheny County Health Department and Allegheny County Department of Human Services developed a new Summer Safety brochure, featuring important information and tips on how families can enjoy summer while staying safe. The brochure includes tips on the following topics:

    • bug bites and stings;
    • safety in the sun;
    • safety on wheels;
    • water safety;
    • car safety;
    • chemical and poison safety;
    • and more.

To view the full list of tips, download the brochure.

More Information

For more information about summer safety, visit the National Safety Council’s Summer Safety page.