June 2025 Summit County Health News

Summer is in full swing! I hope you are getting outside and enjoying vacations, barbecues, local produce, and time spent with family and loved ones. With all the activities and events going on, it’s easy to overlook some crucial summer safety tips for being outside and recreating. Our team of public health professionals is committed to providing you with the information you need to have a healthy and enjoyable summer. Everything from heat, water, and sun safety, as well as mental health awareness and bug bite prevention are included below. And, you are always welcome to reach out to us if you have any questions or need additional resources. 

With a commitment to a healthier community for all,

—Kendra Babitz, Deputy Health Director

Take Our Summer Safety Pledge

Health Educator Paige Mitchell went on air with KPCW radio this month to talk about ways to stay safe this summer and avoid preventable injuries. Tune in here and read some of the tips below!

Car Safety:

• NEVER leave a child in a car—not even for a second. Check the back seat every time you leave.

• Keep cars locked and windows up at home to prevent kids from climbing in or out.

• Use visual reminders like stuffed animals or bags in the back seat.

• Always “Spot the Tot” before moving a vehicle—walk around your car, get rid of distractions and roll down windows to listen.

Water Safety:

• Use Coast Guard-approved life jackets (not floaties).

• Appoint a "Water Watcher" with a visual cue like a lanyard.

• Drain kiddie pools and buckets after use.

• Learn CPR and teach kids to swim.

• Best swimsuit colors for visibility: neon yellow, orange, and bright pink.

Sun Safety:

• Apply sunscreen before going outside and reapply often.

• Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, pants, hats and sunglasses.

• Seek shade.

Summit County’s Health Promotion team is committed to helping you make your summer safe and fun! Take the Summer Safety Pledge today, share the safety tips you learn with friends and family, and be a role model. 

*We will have opportunity drawings for fun prizes every Monday for 10 weeks June through August. Sign the pledge for a chance to win!

Men’s Mental Health: Understanding the Challenges

1 in 4 men face mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, or substance use—but stigma and societal pressure often prevent them from seeking help. In Utah, men die by suicide nearly four times more than women. Let’s change that. Check in on the men in your life—fathers, sons, partners, and friends. Support, listen, and help break the silence.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out!

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988

• SafeUT App – Real-time support for students and families

• Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition – UtahSuicidePrevention.org

• Consider sharing this message or one of our Men’s Mental Health Instagram posts this month.

Bug Bite Prevention in Summit County

As summer heats up in Summit County, the wetlands and mountain trails become rife with mosquitoes and ticks. Here are some tips for staying bite-free while engaging in summer fun!

Mosquito Safety:

• Watch for larvae: Summit County crews use eco-friendly, bacteria-treated corn cob granules in standing water (ponds, bird baths) to kill mosquito larvae before they mature.

• Eliminate standing water: Kill mosquito larvae before they mature. Dumping or refreshing water in containers every 5 days helps disrupt breeding cycle.
  

• Repellents and protection: Use EPA-approved repellents with DEET or picaridin, wear long sleeves/pants when needed, and ensure window/door screens are intact—mosquitoes are vectors for West Nile virus

Summer Air Quality

Did you know…When a car idles, it releases emissions that harm air quality and pose a serious risk to our community—especially to children, whose developing lungs are more vulnerable to air pollution. More info at ucair.org.

Commit to being idle-free! Turn off the engine while sending that quick text message from the grocery store parking lot, or waiting to pick your child up from camp.

To celebrate Earth Month this past April, the Park City School District ran an Idle-Free Poster Contest for students to encourage families, friends, and staff to keep our mountain air clean by being idle free. Check out the posters of the elementary and secondary school winners below. Congratulations to all participants!

Fix-a-Leak Challenge

This summer, challenge yourself to “fix-a-leak-a-week”! The average household's leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year. That's the equivalent of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry!

Wondering where to start? Pick up a Conservation Kit at any Summit County library! Items in the kit include a dye tab to test for toilet leaks and faucet aerators to replace leaky and inefficient kitchen and bathroom faucets.

For more information on reducing your household's water usage, check out this resource from the Environmental Protection Agency!

Keeping Up With Your Kids: Move Their Way — and Yours!

Kids ages 6–17 need at least 60 minutes of movement every day. For younger children, being active throughout the day adds up to three hours of fun, play, and learning. But it doesn’t have to be a chore—here’s some tips on how to make it part of daily family life:

• Play as a Family—Be the role model. Families who move together see more success. A simple after-dinner walk, backyard dance party means quality bonding time that gets everyone moving.
  

• Show them that movement matters by doing it alongside them. Encourage your child to try multiple activities—let them tell you what they like, then schedule more of it.
  

• Experiment and mix it up: One day it’s hiking, the next it’s freeze tag or climbing monkey bars. Mix moderate (easy conversation pace) with vigorous (breath-catching) activities.

Why does this matter? There are immediate wins for for staying active including better mood, sharper focus, improved sleep—alongside strong bones and muscles. The long-term benefits include laying a foundation for good adulthood habits that protect heart health, mental well‑being, and academic success. Watch this video with tips for staying active as a family:

Notes from our Nursing Staff:

MMR Vaccines Available: Stay safe and up to date on your vaccinations! Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccines are available at our Kamas, Coalville, and Park City clinic locations. We also have a special supply for uninsured individuals at no cost. Give us a call today to schedule a vaccination appointment: 435-333-1500.

Rabies Awareness: If you have been in contact with an animal and are concerned about possible exposure rabies, use this tool to determine the next steps: Rabies Exposure Tool.