Protect Your Skin from the Sun

44 Protect Your Skin from the Sun Safety, Skin, Outdoor Safety Safety, Babies and Toddlers 4/25/2013 4:46:43 PM http://www.healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/glmedia/icons/protectyourskinfromthesun.jpg girl with sunscreen on face http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/parenting/safety/protect-your-skin-from-the-sun Quit Smoking http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/health-conditions-and-diseases/diabetes/quit-smoking topic Swim Safely: Quick tips http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/parenting/nutrition-and-physical-activity/swim-safely-quick-tips tool Talk with a Doctor if Breast or Ovarian Cancer Runs in Your Family http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/health-conditions-and-diseases/cancer/talk-with-a-doctor-if-breast-or-ovarian-cancer-runs-in-your-family topic Prevent Mosquito and Tick Bites http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/parenting/safety/prevent-mosquito-and-tick-bites topic

The Basics Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin from the sun.<ul ><li>Stay in the shade as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.</li><li>Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.</li><li>Cover up with long sleeves, a hat, and sunglasses.</li></ul>Why do I need to protect my skin from the sun? Protecting your skin from the sun today may help prevent skin cancer later in life. Most skin cancer appears after age 50, but skin damage from the sun can start during childhood.Staying out of the sun and using sunscreen may also help prevent:<ul><li>Wrinkles</li><li>Blotches or spots on your skin</li><li>Other damage caused by the sun</li></ul>What is skin cancer? Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the United States. There are 3 major types of skin cancer:<ul><li>Basal cell carcinoma</li><li>Squamous cell carcinoma</li><li>Melanoma</li></ul>Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the 2 most common kinds of skin cancer. They are both also called non-melanoma skin cancer. The most dangerous kind of skin cancer is called melanoma. Skin cancer can almost always be cured when it’s found and treated early. That’s why it’s a good idea to check your skin every month for new growths and other signs of cancer. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you find a change.Visit these Web sites to learn more about skin cancer:<ul ><li><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/skin" >What You Need To Know About Skin Cancer</a></li><li><a href="http://nihseniorhealth.gov/skincancer/skincancerdefined/01.html" >Skin Cancer (information for older adults)</a></li></ul>What causes skin cancer? Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. UV radiation can also come from tanning booths or sunlamps.Anyone can get skin cancer. The risk is highest for people with:<ul><li>White or light-colored skin with freckles</li><li>Blond or red hair</li><li>Blue or green eyes</li></ul>You are at higher risk for the most dangerous type of skin cancer (melanoma) if you have:<ul><li>Unusual moles</li><li>A large number of moles</li><li>A family history of melanoma</li></ul><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prevention/skin/anyone-can-get-skin-cancer" >Get more information about things that could increase your risk for skin cancer</a>. Talk with your doctor or nurse.

Take Action! Check your skin once a month for any new growths or other changes. Take simple steps to help prevent skin cancer.Stay in the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The sun’s rays are the strongest from mid-morning to late afternoon. Try to stay out of the sun during these hours.Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Use sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection. To get the most protection:<ul ><li>Wear sunscreen even on cloudy days. UV rays can still harm your skin through the clouds.</li><li>Plan ahead – put sunscreen on 30 minutes before you go outside.</li><li>Be sure to use enough sunscreen (a handful). Don’t forget to apply it to your lips, ears, hands, feet, and back of the neck.</li><li>If you wear very light clothing, put sunscreen on under your clothes.</li><li>Put on more sunscreen every few hours and after you swim or sweat.</li></ul>Cover up with long sleeves, a hat, and sunglasses. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants or a long skirt. A hat with a wide brim can help protect your face and neck. The skin around your eyes is very sensitive. Wear wrap-around sunglasses to help protect your eyes and your skin from sun damage.Check your skin once every month. Check your whole body once a month. Pick a day and mark it on your calendar so you don’t forget. Use mirrors. The best place to do a skin self-exam is in a well-lit room in front of a mirror. The best time is right after a shower or bath. Examine your skin from head to toe. Use a hand mirror to check hard-to-see areas like your back. <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/skin/page15" >Follow these step-by-step instructions on how to do a skin self-exam</a>.Look for changes.<ul ><li>Learn where your birthmarks, spots, and moles are and what they usually look and feel like. <a href="http://www.skincancer.org/Media/Default/File/File/webbodymap_1142011.pdf" >Use this chart to keep track of your self-exams [PDF - 772 KB]</a>. </li><li>Check the growths on your skin for changes in size, shape, color, or feel.</li><li>Check for anything new – a sore that doesn’t heal, a mole that bleeds, or any new growths.</li></ul><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/moles" >Get more tips on how to spot an unusual mole</a>.If you find any changes, see a doctor. See a doctor or nurse right away if you find any changes that worry you. Most changes are harmless, but only a doctor or nurse can tell you for sure.

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li><a href="http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm049090.htm#BeSeriousaboutSunscreen">Get sunscreen shopping tips</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.cancer.org/healthy/toolsandcalculators/quizzes/app/sun-safety-quiz">Test your sun smarts</a>. </li><li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/kids/kids_challenges.html">Share this interactive game about sun safety with your child</a>.</li></ul>

The Basics Children are at high risk for injuries. Take steps to keep your child from getting hurt. Children are at high risk for injuries. You can help keep your child from getting hurt by taking action ahead of time.Leading causes of injury and death for children include:<ul><li>Car crashes</li><li>Drowning</li><li>Accidental poisoning</li><li>Fires</li><li>Falls</li><li>Suffocation</li></ul>The good news is that you can help prevent injuries from events like these by taking simple safety steps.A few minutes now could save your child’s life. These simple steps can help prevent injuries inside and outside your home.<ul ><li>Use the right child safety seat in the car on every trip.</li><li>Teach your child to swim and closely watch your child in or near water.</li><li>Keep medicines, vitamins, and cleaning products where your child can’t see or reach them.</li><li>Use smoke alarms. Make and practice a fire escape plan for your home.</li><li>Make sure your child wears the right safety gear (like a helmet or pads) when playing sports or doing other physical activity.</li><li>Suffocation is when a person can’t breath. Create a safe sleeping area for your baby to prevent suffocation.</li></ul>

Take Action! Make sure your child wears the right safety gear (like a helmet and pads) when playing sports. Follow these steps to protect your child.Keep your child safe in the car.<ul ><li>Always buckle your child’s seatbelt.</li><li><a href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS" >Choose a safety seat</a> that’s right for your child’s size and age – and for the car.</li><li><a href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm" >Have your child’s safety seat inspected</a> to be sure it’s put in the car the right way.</li><li>Make sure that kids under age 13 ride in the back seat.</li><li>Set a good example. Always buckle your seat belt when you drive or ride in a car.</li><li>Never drive after drinking alcohol or using drugs.</li></ul><a href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/Driving+Safety/Child+Safety/Keeping+Kids+Safe:+Inside+&+Out" >Get tips on how to keep your child safe in and around a car</a>.Protect kids in and near water.<ul ><li>Never leave your young kids alone in the bathtub – not even for a second. If you have to answer the phone or doorbell, take them with you.</li><li>Teach your kids how to float. As soon as your kids are ready, sign them up for swim lessons.</li><li>If there is a pool where you live, be sure there is a fence around all 4 sides. The fence should separate the house and yard from the pool.</li><li>Watch your kids closely at the pool and beach. <a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTool.aspx?toolId=42">Follow these tips for safe swimming</a>.</li><li>Make sure your kids wear a life jacket when boating. Use life jackets that are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. <a href="http://www.dbw.ca.gov/BoaterInfo/LifeJacketInfo.aspx#choose" >Find out how to choose the right life jacket</a>.</li></ul><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/safechild/drowning/" >Get more tips to protect your kids from drowning</a>.Keep medicine and cleaning products out of your child’s reach.<ul ><li>Keep medicines, vitamins, cleaning supplies, and other poisons (like batteries and bug spray) out of reach and out of sight.</li><li>Put away medicines and cleaning products right after every use.</li><li>After you use a medicine, make sure to always relock the safety cap.</li><li>Put the poison control number (1-800-222-1222) on or near every home telephone, and save it on your cell phone. The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.</li></ul><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Poisoning/preventiontips.htm#children" >Get more tips to protect your child from poisoning</a>.Put smoke alarms on every floor of your home. Use long-life smoke alarms if possible. These alarms use lithium batteries and last longer than regular smoke alarms. They also have a “hush button” so you can stop the alarm quickly if there’s a false alarm.If you use regular smoke alarms, replace the batteries every year. (Tip: Change smoke alarm batteries when you change your clock back from Daylight Savings Time in the fall.) Follow these other tips on smoke alarms:<ul ><li>Test your smoke alarms once a month by pushing the test button.</li><li>Put smoke alarms on every floor of your home and near places where people sleep.</li><li>Don’t forget to put a smoke alarm in the basement.</li><li>Replace your smoke alarm if it doesn’t work when tested or if it’s more than 10 years old.</li><li>Dust or vacuum smoke alarms when you change the batteries.</li></ul><a href="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/campaigns/50plus/smokealarms.shtm" >Get more tips on smoke alarms</a>.Make a fire escape plan for your home. <a href="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/campaigns/smokealarms/escapeplans/index.shtm" >Use a fire escape plan</a> to get out of your home quickly in an emergency. Make sure your plan includes a safe place away from the house where everyone can meet. Practice your escape plan with your kids.<a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=54">Get more tips on preparing for an emergency</a>.Play safe.<ul ><li>Make sure your child wears a helmet during active sports, such as riding a bike or skateboarding. Helmets and other safety gear help protect the head, face, wrists, and knees.</li><li>Watch your children at the playground. Check for soft landing spots made of mulch, sand, or rubber mats under swings, slides, and climbers Just grass or dirt is not enough.</li></ul><a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/107175/Pg1.pdf" >Use this playground safety checklist [PDF - 66 KB]</a>.Get more tips to protect your kids from:<ul><li><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/safechild/Sports_Injuries/index.html" >Sports injuries</a></li><li><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/safechild/Falls/index.html" >Falls</a></li></ul>Create a safe place for your baby to sleep. Suffocation is when a person can’t breath. Babies are most at risk for suffocation when they sleep. <a href="http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/choking-suffocation-and-strangulation/suffocation-prevention-tips.html" >Get tips on how to create a safe sleep area for your baby</a>.

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li><a href="http://www.usfa.fema.gov/campaigns/usfaparents/escape/" >Make a fire escape plan for your home</a>.</li><li>Call 1-800-222-1222 to ask for a free Poison Help sticker and magnet.</li><li><a href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm">Get your child’s car safety seat inspected</a>.</li></ul>

The Basics Lead poisoning is caused by swallowing or breathing lead. Most lead poisoning comes from paint in homes built before 1978. Take steps to protect your family from lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is caused by swallowing or breathing lead. Most lead poisoning comes from paint in homes built before 1978.Who is at risk for lead poisoning? Children under age 6 and pregnant women are most at risk.<ul ><li>When children are young, their bodies are still growing and are more sensitive to the harmful effects of lead.</li><li>If a pregnant woman has too much lead in her body, it can increase her risk for miscarriage (losing the baby). Lead can also pass from the mother to her baby.</li></ul>There are no signs or symptoms of lead poisoning. Lead poisoning can lead to learning and behavior problems. Some of the effects of lead poisoning may never go away.How do kids get lead poisoning? Paint in homes built before 1978 often has lead in it. When old paint cracks and chips, it creates lead dust. Children get lead poisoning from breathing in or swallowing dust on their hands and toys.Lead can also be found in the soil around your home, drinking water, and products with old paint, like toys, furniture, and jewelry.<a href="http://www.epa.gov/lead/hotspot.html" >If your home was built before 1978, use this Home Danger Zone Finder tool to see which spots in your home could contain lead</a>.Keep your family safe from lead. Take these steps to <a href="http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadpdfe.pdf" >keep your family safe [PDF - 674 KB]</a>:<ul ><li>Keep kids and pregnant women away from chipping or peeling lead paint.</li><li>Wash your child’s hands and toys often.</li><li>If you live in an older home, have your home tested for lead paint.</li><li>Ask a doctor to test your child for lead.</li></ul>To learn more about preventing lead poisoning:<ul ><li><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips.htm" >Check out these lead poisoning prevention tips</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/lead/nlic.html" >Contact the National Lead Information Center</a> at 1-800-424-LEAD (1-800-424-5323).</li></ul>

Take Action! Keep children away from chipping or peeling paint. You can help protect your family from lead poisoning by taking these simple steps.Keep children away from lead dust. If you live in an older home (built before 1978), treat all paint as if it has lead in it. Follow these tips to keep kids from breathing in or swallowing lead:<ul ><li>Keep children away from rooms with chipping or peeling paint.</li><li>Cover peeling or chipping paint with duct tape or contact paper.</li><li>Use a wet paper towel or mop to clean up dust regularly, especially around windows and floors.</li></ul>Renovate safely. If you are doing any home remodeling or repairs, be sure to <a href="http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/rrpamph.pdf" >follow lead-safe work practices [PDF - 3 MB]</a>. Keep pregnant women and children away from the work area.Wash your child’s hands and toys. Lead dust from chipping and peeling paint can get on children’s toys and hands. Wash toys and hands often, especially before eating and sleeping.<a href="http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=770473" >Play this podcast on Happy Handwashing for your child</a>.Test your home for lead. If you live in a home built before 1978, have your home inspected (tested) for lead paint by a licensed lead inspector .Also ask the inspector about testing your soil and water.For more information, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyHomes/programs.html" >contact your state’s Healthy Homes program</a>. The Healthy Homes program may be able to inspect your home for lead at no cost to you.What if I rent my home? Ask your landlord to have your home tested for lead. Your local health department can give you information about your landlord’s responsibilities.Test your child for lead. There are no signs or symptoms of lead poisoning. A lead test is the only way to know for sure if your child has lead poisoning.A lead test measures the amount of lead in your child’s blood. If you are worried about lead poisoning, ask your child’s doctor or nurse to test your child for lead.<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tools/5things.pdf" >If your child has a high lead level, find out 5 things you can do to help lower it [PDF – 190 KB]</a>.What about cost? Medicaid covers lead screening for children at ages 12 and 24 months.For families with private insurance, lead screening for children at high risk of exposure to lead is covered under the <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/rights/preventive-care/index.html" >Affordable Care Act</a>, the health care reform law passed in 2010.Check with your insurance provider to find out what’s included in your plan. <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2010/07/preventive-services-list.html" >For information about other services covered by the Affordable Care Act, visit HealthCare.gov</a>.

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li>Find out if your home was built before 1978.</li><li><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyHomes/programs.html" >Ask your state’s Healthy Homes program if they do free lead testing</a>.</li><li>Wipe your shoes before entering your home.</li></ul>

The Basics Always wear a bike helmet and ride in the same direction as cars. Riding bikes is a great way for you to get active. Riding a bike can help you:<ul ><li>Get in shape</li><li>Lose weight</li><li>Lower your risk of health conditions like heart disease</li><li>Save money on gas</li><li>Spend time together as a family</li></ul>Follow these safety tips every time you ride.<ul ><li>Ride a bike that’s the right size for you.</li><li>Check the brakes before you ride.</li><li>Always wear a bike helmet.</li><li>Wear bright colors and reflective tape.</li><li>Ride in the same direction as cars.</li></ul>A bike crash could send you to the emergency room. The good news is that many bike injuries can be prevented. If you have kids, teach them these safety tips right from the start.

Take Action! Make sure your bike has reflectors on the front, back, and tires. Make safe biking a habit.Ride a bike that’s the right size for you. Riders of any age should be able to put one leg on each side of the top bar (tube) of their bike with both feet flat on the ground. Otherwise, the bike isn’t safe to ride.Check the brakes. Make sure the brakes are working before you ride.If you are choosing a bike for a child, choose one that brakes when the rider pedals backwards. Young children’s hands aren’t big enough or strong enough to use hand brakes.Always wear a bike helmet! Get in the “helmet habit” – wear a helmet every time and everywhere you ride a bike. A bike helmet is the best way to prevent injury or death from a bike crash.Make sure your helmet is certified. Look for a sticker on the inside that says “CPSC.” This means it’s been tested for safety.Bike helmets only protect you if you wear them the right way. Every time you put your helmet on, make sure that:<ul ><li>The helmet is flat on the top of your head</li><li>The helmet is covering the top of your forehead</li><li>The strap is buckled snugly under your chin</li></ul><a href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/EasyStepsWeb/index.htm" >Find out more about the right way to fit a bike helmet</a>.Kids grow quickly – check regularly to make sure their helmets still fit.Replace your helmet if you crash. Even if your helmet doesn’t look cracked or damaged, it might not protect you in another crash.Make sure people can see you easily. Drivers can have a hard time seeing bike riders, even during the day. Follow these tips to help drivers see you: <ul > <li>Wear neon, fluorescent, or other bright colors.</li> <li>Put something on your clothes or bike that reflects light, like reflective tape. </li> </ul> Try to plan ahead so your bike rides are over before it gets dark. If you are going to ride at night, here are some safety tips: <ul > <li>Make sure your bike has reflectors on the front, back, and tires.</li> <li>Put battery powered lights on your bike. A red light is for the back, and a white light is for the front – just like with cars.</li> </ul>Follow the “rules of the road.”<ul ><li>Look both ways before entering the street.</li><li>Ride in the same direction as the cars.</li><li>Stop at all stop signs and intersections.</li><li>Use hand signals to show others what you plan to do next.<ul><li>For a left turn, look behind you, hold your left arm straight out to the side, and turn carefully.</li><li>For a right turn, hold your left arm out and up in an “L” shape.</li><li>To signal that you are stopping, hold your left arm out and down in an upside-down “L” shape.</li></ul></li></ul><div ><img alt="Left turn hand signal" height="85" src="http://www.healthfinder.gov/prevention/glmedia/icons/left_turn.gif" width="85" /> <img alt="Right turn hand signal" height="85" hspace="30" src="http://www.healthfinder.gov/prevention/glmedia/icons/right-turn.gif" width="85" /> <img alt="Stop hand signal" height="85" src="http://www.healthfinder.gov/prevention/glmedia/icons/stop.gif" width="85" /> Use your left hand to make these signals for left turn, right turn, and stop.</div>

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li>Check your bike tires to make sure they have the right amount of tire pressure.</li><li><a href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/Associated%20Files/BikeSafetyforAdults.pdf" >Know the 7 Smart Routes to Bicycle Safety [PDF - 315 KB]</a>.</li><li>Don’t forget sunscreen! Put sunscreen on before you ride your bike.</li></ul>

The Basics Some mosquitoes and ticks carry diseases. Take steps to protect your family from bites. Spending time together outdoors is good for the whole family. Don’t let bug bites ruin your fun.Most bug bites are harmless, but some mosquitoes and ticks carry diseases.<ul ><li>You can get serious diseases from mosquitoes, like West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), and dengue (“DEN-gee”) fever.</li><li>Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are 2 of the serious diseases you can get from ticks.</li></ul>The good news is that you can take easy steps to protect yourself and your family from mosquito and tick bites.Take steps to avoid bites from mosquitoes and ticks.<ul ><li>Get rid of standing (still) water around your home to keep some types of mosquitoes from laying eggs nearby.</li><li>Cut back brush and tall grasses and get rid of fallen leaves to keep ticks away.</li><li>Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks.</li><li>Use bug repellent (also called bug spray or insect repellent) on skin and clothing.</li><li>Check everyone for ticks after spending time outside.</li><li>Take a shower after going inside to help get ticks off of you.</li><li>Use a tick collar or other repellent product on your pets. And remember to check your pets for ticks. </li></ul>

Take Action! Clear brush, tall grasses, and fallen leaves from around your home. Follow these tips to avoid bites from mosquitoes and ticks.Keep mosquitoes away from your home. Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing (still) water. To help keep mosquitoes away:<ul ><li>Empty water from unused or forgotten items (like flower pot bases, old tires, buckets, and toys) in your yard. Turn them upside down.</li><li>Change the water in your kids’ wading pool at least once a week. Be sure to store the pool on its side.</li></ul>Keep ticks away from your home. Many types of ticks live in areas with woods, brush, or high grass. Animals, like dogs and deer, may also carry ticks in their fur. To help keep ticks away from your home:<ul ><li>Clear brush, tall grasses, and fallen leaves from around your home. Mow the lawn often.</li><li>Use wood chips or gravel to separate your patio or play equipment from wooded and brushy areas.</li><li>Remove plants that attract deer, and put up a fence to keep deer out of your yard.</li><li>Consider applying tick control products to your yard. You can do this yourself or hire a pest control company.</li><li>Ask a vet for tick control medicine or tick collars for your pets. Dogs and cats need different tick control medicines, so make sure to get the right one.</li></ul>Use bug repellent. Bug repellent makes it harder for mosquitoes and ticks to find you.What type of bug repellent do I need?<ul ><li>Use a bug spray with 20 to 50% DEET to avoid tick and mosquito bites. Check the label.</li><li>You can also look for repellents with picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 to avoid mosquito bites.</li><li>It’s a good idea to use sunscreen when you are outside, but look for a separate sunscreen lotion. Don’t use bug repellent that has sunscreen already mixed in.</li><li>Use a spray with permethrin on your clothes, shoes, and camping gear to repel and kill ticks. Never use permethrin directly on your skin.</li></ul>How do I use bug repellent?<ul ><li>Spray it on your clothes or on exposed skin.</li><li>Don’t spray repellent directly on your face. Instead, use your hands to carefully rub it on your face. You can also use wipes that contain bug repellent to wipe it on your skin.</li><li>Don’t use repellent on babies under 2 months old.</li><li><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm#kids" >Find out how to use insect repellents safely on children</a>.</li><li>Wash repellent off skin with soap and water when you go inside.</li></ul>Wear long pants, shirts with long sleeves, and socks. Cover up your skin so that it’s harder for mosquitoes and ticks to bite you. This is especially helpful in the morning and evening when many mosquitoes bite most.Check for ticks after spending time outside – even in your yard. Check everybody in the family, including pets. Check the entire body, especially:<ul ><li>Under the arms</li><li>In and around the ears</li><li>Behind the knees and between the legs</li><li>Around the waist and inside the belly button</li><li>In and around hair</li></ul><a href="http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/cdc/lyme/tick-poster-check.pdf" >Get more tips on doing a tick check [PDF - 82 KB]</a>.Take a shower after being outside in an area that might have ticks. A shower can help get ticks off of you and lower your risk of Lyme disease. Try to shower within 2 hours of going inside.Use tweezers to remove a tick as soon as you see it.<ul ><li>Get the tick near its head or mouth.</li><li>Gently pull the whole tick straight out. Be careful not to crush or twist the tick.</li><li>Wash your hands and the bite with soap and water.</li><li>Put rubbing alcohol on the bite.</li></ul>Don’t use a hot match to kill and remove a tick. <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html" >Get more tips on removing ticks</a>.Tell the doctor if you get sick after a tick bite. If you or your kids get a rash or fever after getting bitten by a tick, call the doctor. Tell the doctor about the tick bite, when it happened, and where you think you were when you got the bite.

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li>Check your first aid kit to make sure it has tweezers.</li><li><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/resources/toolkit/factsheets/10_508_Lyme%20disease_HikersCampers_FACTSheet.pdf">Get tips for preventing tick bites when hiking or camping [PDF - 2 MB]</a>.</li><li>Read the label on your insect repellent to make sure you are using it correctly.</li></ul>

The Basics Your home could be making you and your family sick. Your home could be making you and your family sick. If someone in your family has allergies or asthma, take steps to make your home a healthier place.How can I prevent allergy and asthma attacks at home? Start by getting rid of these common causes of attacks:<ul ><li>Mold or dampness</li><li>Dust mites (tiny bugs that live in dust)</li><li>Pets with fur, including cats and dogs</li><li>Cockroaches (roaches and their droppings may cause asthma)</li><li>Rodents (mice and rats)</li><li>Secondhand smoke</li><li>Wood smoke</li></ul>Learn more about:<ul ><li><a href="http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/allergens.cfm" >Allergens</a> (things that can cause allergies)</li><li><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/triggers.html" >Asthma triggers</a> (things that can cause asthma attacks)</li></ul>

Take Action! Make a no-smoking rule for your home. Follow these simple steps to make your home a healthier place.Start in the bedroom.<ul ><li>Cover your mattresses and pillows in “dust proof” covers.</li><li>Wash all your bedding in warm water at least once a week.</li><li>Keep stuffed animals off the bed.</li><li>If possible, remove all carpets. It’s easier to keep bare floors clean.</li></ul>Control moisture to prevent mold. Mold can start to grow in wet or damp places within 24 to 48 hours. Keep your home dry to prevent mold.<ul ><li>If you have a water leak, clean up the water right away. Then fix the leak.</li><li>Run the bathroom fan or open the window when you take a shower.</li><li>Use a de-humidifier or air conditioner to keep the humidity level in your home between 30 and 60 percent.</li></ul><a href="http://www.epa.gov/mold/cleanupguidelines.html" >Get more tips on preventing and cleaning up mold</a>.What if the air in my home is too dry? While moist (wet) air can lead to mold, dry air can be uncomfortable.If the air in your home is dry in the winter, you can use a humidifier. Just be sure to still keep the humidity level between 30 and 60 percent.Keep pests out of your home. Cockroaches, their droppings, and rodents (mice and rats) can trigger asthma attacks. Take these steps to help prevent pests:<ul ><li>Fix leaks in sinks and toilets.</li><li>Put trays under your plants, radiators, and refrigerator. Check the trays for water and clean them often.</li><li>Store food (including pet food) in closed containers.</li><li>Clean up crumbs and spills right away.</li><li>Fill in cracks or holes that could be good indoor hiding places for pests.</li><li>Put screens in your windows and doors.</li><li>If you see roaches or rodents, call a pest control company.</li></ul>Make a no-smoking rule in your home. Cigarette smoke, including secondhand smoke, can cause an asthma or allergy attack. Ask your guests to smoke outside. If you smoke, <a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=24">make a plan to quit today</a>.Avoid burning wood inside your home. Breathing too much smoke from a wood-burning stove or fireplace can cause an asthma attack. If you can avoid it, don’t burn wood in your home.If you need to use a wood stove or fireplace, <a href="http://www.epa.gov/asthma/woodsmoke.html" >check out these tips on how to reduce the smoke</a>.

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li><a href="http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/Virtual-Allergist.aspx">Use the Virtual Allergist tool</a> to find out more about your allergy or asthma symptoms.</li><li>Look for signs of mold in your home.</li><li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/asthma/pdfs/10_steps_en.pdf" >Print these 10 tips to make your home asthma-friendly [PDF - 60 KB]</a>.</li></ul>