The combination of high heat and high humidity can be very dangerous—especially for certain groups, including the elderly, those with chronic diseases and young children.  Never leave kids in a parked car.  Learn more.

Mosquitoes can spread diseases, including the Zika virus and West Nile Virus, and are active locally in the summer months.

Protect your family from illnesses spread by mosquitoes.

• Watch for areas/objects that can hold water and support mosquito breeding, such as birdbaths, clogged gutters or flower pots.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants or use an EPA-registered, skin-applied insect repellent. Follow the product label instructions, reapplying as directed. Adults should spray insect repellent onto their own hands and then apply it to a child’s face.

Learn more.

• In grassy, brushy or wooded areas where ticks live, be sure to wear light colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot for removal. Tuck long pant legs into socks for added protection. Frequently check clothing and body for ticks to find them before they bite.
• Apply EPA-registered insect repellent approved as effective against ticks when on hiking trails and in woods or other areas likely to have ticks.
• When ticks bite, they can remain attached to the skin for a period of time. Properly remove ticks by using tweezers and grasping the tick at the point of attachment. Then, wash with soap and water and apply antibiotic ointment. Monitor for any signs or symptoms of illness, as several can be transmitted to people through their bite.

Warmer temperatures in the summer can create a risk for food-borne illnesses. Learn more.

Some infants can get botulism when the germs get into their digestive tracts, grow and produce a toxin.

• Don’t give honey to babies under 1-year-old— even a tiny taste of honey or processed foods containing honey. Honey can contain the germ that causes botulism in infants.
• Avoid exposing infants to soil, especially around construction and agricultural sites or dust. Soils can contain germs that cause botulism, which can get into the air and be ingested.
• Be careful when canning food. Pressure-cook home-canned foods to reduce the risk of contamination. Home-canned foods should be boiled for 10 minutes before serving.

The Health Department inspects more than 300 public swimming facilities, including beaches, swimming pools, wading pools, water slides and spray pools and spas in Northern Kentucky. Learn more.

Certain illnesses can be spread through recreational water. Infections of Shigella and Cryptosporidiosis, both of which cause diarrhea, are often linked to swimming. Learn more.

Do not let children with diarrhea swim. They can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.

• Do not swallow the pool water and avoid getting water in your mouth.
• Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
• Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside. Germs can spread in and around the pool.