August is Summer Sun Safety Month – According to the National Weather Service, heat-related deaths are one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths across the country each year, and thousands of people from kids to the elderly are made ill through heat stress. Excessive exposure to the sun can also cause skin cancer. Check the UV Index in your area. Limiting sun exposure to protect your eyes and your skin is important during daylight hours of summer when UV rays are at their strongest. Learn how to protect yourself from UV rays. Also, Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and the importance of staying hydrated in hot weather. Here are tips for staying safe during a heat wave.
August 6-12 is National Farmers Market Week. Find markets near you through Local Harvest Farmers Markets and the National Farmers Market Directory or research nearby farms to plan a family day trip. Some farms have “pick your own” fields, barnyard petting zoos for kids, and other fun summer activities. Shopping locally affords peak freshness and flavor for your produce. Plus, just-picked produce contains maximum nutrients and vitamins. It also supports your local community. Growers are small local businesses and job creators, so buying their produce offers tax and job benefits that boost your local community.Plus, supporting local farms keeps them viable and preserves natural green space in your community. Buying locally also takes much less of an environmental toll in fuel consumption, storage, and related environmental cost.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month – An annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of routine vaccination for people of all ages. Here are recommended schedules.
- Vaccinations for Infants and Children, Birth through 6 Years
- Vaccinations for Children 7 to 18 Years Old
- Vaccines You Need as an Adult
- Travel vaccines
August is National Breastfeeding Month – Each August the US Breastfeeding Committee hosts a social media advocacy and outreach campaign inviting member organizations, breastfeeding coalitions, partner organizations, and individuals to participate in online action and conversation about the policy and practice changes needed to build a landscape of support for babies and families. Below are designated weeks:
- Week 1 – August 1-7: World Breastfeeding Week
- Week 2 – August 8-14: Indigenous Milk Medicine Week
- Week 3 – August 15-21: Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week
- Week 4 – August 25-31: Black Breastfeeding Week
- Week 5 – September 5-11: Semana de La Lactancia Latina
Other noteworthy August dates:
8/1 – World Lung Cancer Day
8/31 – International Overdose Awareness Day
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