May 10, 2024
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas! For many moms out there, you will soon get the perfect gift, kids home for the summer! As I write that sentence with a smile, it reminds me of wisdom shared with me by my mom and so many other grandmas – the days may feel long but the years fly by. This Mother’s Day I hope each of you get to share time with or share memories of the first woman who loved you.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Thrush
Public Information Officer
contact@uchd.net
$12 Rabies Shots May 19
The annual rabies vaccination clinic is next Sunday, May 19 from 1-4p.m. Clinics will be held simultaneously in Marysville, Milford Center, and Raymond. Shots are $12 per pet and protect your pet against rabies for one year. Click here to learn more.
Marysville: OSU Large Animal Clinic, 16410 County Home Rd.
Milford Center: Union Township Fire Department, 47 Railroad St.
Raymond: Northwestern Fire District, 21684 Main St.
These clinics are made possible by veterinarians from the OSU large animal clinic who donate their time to provide low-cost rabies shots at the annual clinic, which has been happening for more than 30 years! A big thank you to the Union County Humane Society who also provides volunteers at the clinics.
Safety Town Volunteers Needed – Little Town Teaches Big Safety Lessons
Safety Town for current kindergartners at Fairbanks and North Union is underway this month as part of the school day. But, we are still looking for community volunteers for this year’s Marysville Safety Town. Marysville Safety Town is June 10-13. Volunteers can choose the morning (9am-Noon) or afternoon session (1-4pm). Adult volunteers act as classroom leaders helping to corral groups of approximately 10-12 kiddos with the help of 1-2 youth volunteers as the children hear from safety experts. Volunteers may read a story each day and help children with provided coloring, crafts or activities. Youth volunteers must have completed seventh grade. Click here to volunteer.
What is Safety Town?
Tricycles, a real-life tiny town, a firetruck, a visit from a tail-wagging puppy, and coloring! These are the tools Safety Town uses to teach a variety of safety topics to kindergartners each year. Honestly, I think our adults have as much fun teaching as the kids! We cover poison prevention, seatbelts, pedestrian safety, stranger danger, how to approach a dog, water safety, electricity safety, weather safety, bus safety, and so much more. A big thank you to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, our schools, and all the community partners who work alongside UCHD to keep Safety Town going!
Ticks & Mosquitos: They’re Back
As the weather warms, hiking boots get laced up, campers rev, and tents get drug out of the garage, it’s time for the annual tick and mosquito reminder. They’re such a pest. They really bug us. So remember your spring checklist:
- Empty standing water around your house. Mosquitoes love to lay their eggs in small pools of non-rippling water (aka, buckets, flower pots, ruts, tires, bird baths, etc.)
- Flea, tick and heartworm medicines are important for your pets, especially at this time of year.
- Wear light colored, long-sleeves & pants when outside to see ticks crawling on you and avoid mosquito bites. Tuck pants into socks and wear a hat to try and keep ticks from attaching.
- Bug spray and insect repellent is recommended.
- Keep grass trimmed and avoid areas with tall grass. Walk in the center of trails at parks. Remember, ticks like areas with tall grass and can blow on the wind from trees & tall grass along a trail.
- If you get bit by a tick, remove it properly with gentle, slow steady pressure and clean the area after removing the tick. Do not squeeze the tick while removing it. Keep an eye on the bite site for any signs of rash or infection.
With the range of black legged ticks expanding into Ohio, it is increasingly important to be aware of Lyme Disease symptoms and prevention. Click here to learn more.
May Health Focuses
National Women’s Health Week
Join the Office on Women’s Health (OWH) in celebrating National Women’s Health Weekand empower women and girls to prioritize their health and well-being. We have MyHealthfinder resources to share, including information about getting a yearly well-woman visit, getting regular physical activity, choosing the right birth control, and having a healthy pregnancy. Share our Move Your Way website for tips to help girls and women get active. And if you’re a health care provider, share this Dietary Guidelines fact sheet to encourage pregnant and postpartum people to build a healthy eating routine.
National Physical Fitness & Sports Month
In May, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) celebrates National Physical Fitness and Sports Month to promote the benefits of being physically active. Encourage others to get moving by using our Move Your Way® Community Resources and Activity Planner.
