Health and Social Services

Summertime is outdoor fun time so the Department of Health is working to ensure you stay safe while having fun. Follow these summer safety tips:

• Avoid the midday sun if possible -- wear a hat, sunglasses and apply sunscreen a half-hour before you go outdoors.
• Sunscreen should have a SPF of at least 15 – the higher the better – and both UVA/UVB protection.
• Reapply sunscreen every few hours and also after you swim.
• Call ahead to the beach you plan to visit to find out whether it's open or closed, especially after a heavy rain.
• When you visit a public pool or spray park, shower before you jump in and avoid getting pool water in your mouth. If you have your own pool or spa, you’ll want to learn more about drain cover safety concerns.

If you've decided to maintain your tan using a tanning bed, think twice. International cancer experts have confirmed what Westchester County government concluded in 2006: the use of tanning beds causes cancer.

County Executive Andy Spano wants to reassure residents that most swine flu cases have so far caused only mild symptoms similar to regular flu. A simple way to avoid getting and spreading the germs that cause the flu is to frequently wash your hands.  When done correctly, it's the first step towards staying healthy.

Summer time also brings out the anglers and sport fishermen. But you can’t always eat what you catch. Read about what’s safe to eat from local waters in English or in Spanish.

We’ve had a wet start to summer, so to avoid a lot of itchy mosquito bites, walk around your yard, deck and driveway and dump out any standing water that accumulates in kiddie pools, pails, wheelbarrows or waste receptacles.

Mosquitoes can breed in the tiniest puddle of water left standing for at least four days. Meanwhile, the Department of Health is applying larvicide to every state, county and nunicipal catch basin that holds water throughout the county and is inspecting all 66,000 catch basins to prevent the mosquitoes that can carry West Nile Virus from breeding.

To stay healthy, check into Be Fit Westchester, a program that encourages adults and children alike to get into shape by exploring the miles of trailways in our county parks. Seniors, too, have more ways than ever to care for their good health. Check out this 12-step plan to a more vibrant you.

Through a partnership between the county health department and 16 area hospitals, we're working to promote and improve the health of Westchester residents through the NY State Prevention Agenda. Increasing physical activity and reducing salt consumption are the two goals of this partnership.

When it comes to health, mental health and social services, we have many programs to help you.

• Visit the Department of Community Mental Health to read about autism, post-partum depression, or depression in general, and other mental health services.
• Find out about BeFit Westchester and FitKids, our programs to get adults and kids in shape. As part of a health diet, eliminate trans-fats from your diet. It's a county law that licensed food service establishments may not use cooking oils that contain trans-fats.
• Don't go near near bats. View our video on rabies prevention.
• Read "It's My Healthcare" for valuable tips and tools to prepare for medical visits and take charge of your health care in general. Then, share your story with us.
• Protect your children from lead poisoning. Childhood lead poisoning can cause serious health problems ranging from poor learning in school to irreversible brain damage.
• Check out the Health Department's A-Z listing.
• Contact the Department of Social Services about public assistance programs and adoption.

Important phone numbers:

• Health Department: (914) 813-5000
• Community Mental Health: (914) 995-5220
• Social Services: (914) 995-5000