Enjoy National Trails Day on June 2, 2018

Saturday, June 2 is National Trails Day! There are multiple activities that many people enjoy while on the trails including hiking, biking, bird watching, geocaching, and horseback riding. Which activity will you choose to celebrate this day?

The Fargo-Moorhead area is a great place to explore. It is covered in trails! While many of these trails aren’t your traditional hiking trails, you can still enjoy them! Some places you may want to check out include Gooseberry Mound Park and M.B. Johnson Park. Check out the links below to find some trails and parks near you!

• • Map of trails and parks in Moorhead: https://moorhead.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d50766a606824b89b5b2b1afd0dba369
  • Map of trails and parks in Fargo: http://www.fargoparks.com/assets/maps/parkmap.pdf

 

Before you head out on the trails, make sure you are prepared:

• proper footwear: trail shoes or hiking boots
• map: even though we have easy access to GPS on our phones, bring a map just in case!
• food and water: granola bars and trail mix work great! Bring extra food and water just in case your outing is longer than expected
• rain gear and extra clothing: be prepared for anything! We live in an area where the weather can be unpredictable
• first aid kit
• sunscreen, sunglasses, hat

The American Hiking Society has great resources including hiking etiquette and how to prepare for any length of an outing on the trail. Check out their website if you would like more information.

In the end, it does not matter which activity you choose to do while celebrating National Trails Day, just get out and enjoy nature!

 

Sources: https://americanhiking.org/hiking-resources/#hiking-101

Moreholidays June Trails Day

“Don’t Fry Day” is May 25th

The sun is out and the temperature is rising! People are escaping the indoors to enjoy some time outside such as in the backyard, at the baseball field, or at the lake. Will you be doing the any of these? Whatever activity it is that you participate in, how do you protect yourself from the sun? Friday, May 25th is “Don’t Fry Day” and brings awareness to protecting our bodies from skin cancer.

Did you know that skin cancer is the most common and most preventable cancer out there? Skin cancer is caused by being exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Where do UV rays come from? The sun and tanning beds both expose our skin to these types of rays. It is important to take precautionary measures to protect ourselves from them. Read the following bullet points for some tips to decrease your risk of skin cancer!

• Spend your time outside in the shade, especially between 10a and 2p when the UV rays are strongest.
• Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs
• Wear a wide brim hat and sunglasses
• Apply sunscreen at least every two hours and after you towel off or get out of the water
• Avoid tanning beds!

UV rays from the sun can start causing damage to your skin in as little as 15 minutes. Even when it’s cloudy you still need to protect yourself. Keep an eye out for signs of skin cancer such as a new growth, sore that doesn’t heal, or change in a mole.  The CDC has also posted a list of traits that may increase the risk of skin cancer:

• A lighter natural skin color.
• Family history of skin cancer.
• A personal history of skin cancer.
• Exposure to the sun through work and play.
• A history of sunburns, especially early in life.
• A history of indoor tanning.
• Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun.
• Blue or green eyes.
• Blond or red hair.
• Certain types and a large number of moles.

Even if you don’t have these traits, you can still get skin cancer. If you notice any changes in your skin, contact your doctor! Keep your body healthy and safe this summer by protecting it from the sun’s harmful rays!

 

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/skincancer/index.htm

Don’t Fry Day | A Message From The National Council On Skin Cancer Prevention

“Flat, Fast & Friendly” – Fargo Marathon 2018

Yesterday marked the beginning of a week of fun and fitness. It’s marathon week here in Fargo-Moorhead! The Fargo Marathon is in its 14th year and has events for all! Registration is now closed but all are welcome to cheer the participants on! Here is a list of the events for the week:

Monday: Cylcothon

Tuesday: Furgo Dog Run

Thursday: Youth Run

Friday: 5K

Saturday: Relay, Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K

For more details about the Fargo Marathon, visit their website at fargomarathon.com.

The first marathon was held in 1886. At this time, the distance was 24.8 miles. In 1921, the distance was changed to 26.2. There aren’t too many marathon runners out there. About 0.5% of the population in the U.S. has run and completed a marathon. As we all may know, running a marathon takes a lot of training and energy. The average completion time is 4-5 hours. That is a lot of running! A 150 pound person may burn around 2600 calories during their marathon run, so it is important for them to fuel up and hydrate accordingly. What you may not know is the process of “tapering.” This is when a runner gradually decreases the intensity of their workouts as their event gets near. Runners will also participate in carbohydrate loading, which is the process of increasing their carbohydrate intake in the few day prior to their event. As you can see, running a marathon takes great physical and mental strength as well as proper nutrition. Take some time out of your day to cheer on all of the runners participating this week! They have trained very hard to get to where they are!

 

Sources:

Home

100 Fascinating Facts About the Marathon

Poison Prevention Week 2018

2016 statistics show that there is an average of 1 poison exposure reported to U.S. poison control centers every 14.6 seconds. Fortunately, not all reported incidents resulted in an actual poisoning. Do you know how to avoid a poisoning incident or what to do in the case a possible poisoning does occur? The Health Resources and Services Administration has dedicated March 15-21 as Poison Prevention Week to bring awareness. Read on to learn more about poison prevention and care.

• A good start to preparing for or handling a poison incident is to have the Poison Help line written in a convenient location. That number is 1-800-222-1222. Keep the number in your phone and have a magnet on your fridge.
• Poison proof your home. Keep medications in properly labeled containers and stored appropriately. Have properly functioning carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms and furnaces. Keep cleaning supplies in proper containers and out of reach of children. Keep an eye on children when they are using craft supplies that may be made with chemicals and wash all surfaces after contact with the supplies. Use proper food preparation and storage techniques such as washing hands before handling food and storing foods at proper temperatures. Know what animals, insects, and plants are in your area that may be poisonous such as snakes and mushrooms.
• What do you do if you suspect a possible poisoning? Do your best to stay calm and call the Poison Help line. Doing so may save you a trip to the Emergency Room. However, if the person is not breathing you must call 911. When you call the help line, an expert will be able to help you by giving first aid advice. If the poison was inhaled, get fresh air immediately. If the poison came in contact with the body, take off clothing that has been touched by the poison and rinse the skin with running water for 15-20 minutes. If the poison in in the eyes, rinse the eyes with running water for 15-20 minutes.

Being aware of possible poisoning incidents will help you be better prepared when a real incident occurs. Know what materials and organisms may be putting you at risk. Finally, if an incident does occur, do not wait for signs of a poisoning to call for help.

 

https://poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/what-can-you-do/raise-awareness-about-the-poison-help-line/index.html

https://www.poison.org/poison-statistics-national

https://www.motivators.com/blog/2015/02/raising-awareness-national-poison-prevention-week/

Where will you travel to in 2018? Be safe while you are there!

In 2017, about 79,767,026 United States citizens traveled internationally. Traveling has increased in popularity over the years and the industry grows every year. Traveling is exciting and fun, but it is important to stay safe and healthy while at your chosen destination. Whether you are traveling for work or adventure, take a look below for some safety and health tips while traveling abroad.

• Travel Advisories: Are you traveling to a safe location? The U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs issues travel advisories for each country. There are four levels based on safety and security risk. Where does your destination land?
  1. Exercise normal precautions
  2. Exercise increased caution
  3. Reconsider travel
  4. Do not travel
• STEP: This acronym stands for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. It gives travelers information and updates about their location. It also allows the U.S. Embassy to contact you in the case of an emergency.
• Weather: What’s the weather like? Does it rain often? Is it tropical storm season? Bring appropriate clothing and have a plan in the case severe weather conditions occur.
• Driving and Road Safety: Do you plan on driving yourself while at your destination? Make sure you know the laws and road conditions (and what roads to avoid) as well as driving norms (i.e. driving on the left side of the road rather than the right side). Carry spare tires and extra fuel. Make sure you have the proper driving permits and documentation. Some countries require international driving permits
• Medications, Vaccines, and Hospital Availability: Will you be bringing medications with you? It is advised to carry a doctor’s note that describes your medical condition, leave your medications in their original container with a clear label. Check out your destination’s drug policies to see if your medications are allowed. Another tip to consider is to see what vaccinations are recommended for traveling in general or for your particular destination. You should also have a plan if you do happen to get ill or injured. Find a doctor or hospital to go to and see if your insurance covers you while abroad. It’s important to be prepared.
• Food Safety: Avoid foodborne illnesses and other diseases by practicing good eating and drinking habits. Safe foods are typically thoroughly cooked and hot. Packaged foods are also typically safe to eat. Bottled and canned beverages are also safe to drink. However, make sure bottles have not been tampered with and wipe the mouth of the can clean before drinking. Raw food, tap water (and ice made from tap water), and fountain drinks can be risky. Also use precaution when eating from street vendors as they may have decreased hygiene standards.
• Belonging Safety: We all may have heard stories about belonging getting stolen while traveling. To avoid having your own belongings taken, don’t keep everything in one place. When going out, only bring the necessities and do not carry them in your back pocket. If you are carrying a purse or bag, keep it toward the front of your body. If you happen to be in a situation where someone is trying to take something of yours, it may be best not to fight for it. Although this may be hard to do and not your first reaction, you should remember that your safety is more important.
• Money: What kind of money is used (i.e. Euros, Pesos, British pound)? You may wish to pick up some currency at your U.S. bank to reduce the cost of exchanging dollars into local currency overseas. Research the use of credit cards if you plan to use one. Call your credit card company to let them know you are traveling or your card may be declined overseas.

While these tips do not cover all areas of travel health and safety, they are a good start! We hope that this information will provide a safer and healthier experience while traveling abroad.

 

https://travel.trade.gov/view/m-2017-O-001/index.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/about-our-new-products.html

12 Top Safety Tips for International Travel

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/food-water-safety

http://weknowyourdreams.com/travel.html

Check out the Health Care Leadership Club October 17!

“Hello everyone!

We’re glad to hear that many of you are interested in being part of the Health Care Leadership club! Furthermore, we look forward to meeting all of you! So what is the Health Care Leadership club (HCL) about? This is an organization that will help you continue growing professionally and therefore, offer you the opportunity to continue learning more about your field outside the classroom. Not to mention, coming to our meetings will give you a chance to start connecting, networking, and socializing with your HCL peers! We have a lot planned this semester and hope to see you at some of the events!”

If you have any questions regarding the club, contact Jitendra Singh at jitendra.singh@mnstate.edu.

Safely Watch the Great American Eclipse August 21st!

Classes begin on August 21st for MSUM students. What better way to add some excitement to this day than to see the first extreme solar eclipse in Fargo-Moorhead in over thirty years? As exciting as this event may be, we all must take precautions to keep our eyes safe. It is very tempting to look directly at the eclipse. However, the eclipse can cause permanent eye damage if you look directly at it, even if it is just for a second. It’s important to wear special glasses made specifically for viewing an eclipse. Please do not use any other types of sunglasses! If you are purchasing your own pair of eclipse glasses, make sure they are certified.

The MSUM Planetarium will be having glasses available at their viewing on campus. Join them on August 21st from 11:30a until 2p in the G3 parking lot (corner of 6th Ave S. and 11th St. S). They will have the glasses as well as special telescopes for all to use and view the eclipse safely! If you are unable to attend in person, check out the live stream of the eclipse on their Facebook page Department of Physics and Astronomy.

The F-M area will be able to experience a partial eclipse. About 80 percent of the sun will be blocked from view. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity! And don’t forget to be safe!

July is Social Wellness Month

Humans are a social species. No matter how often or how much we socialize, having some sort of a social life is very beneficial to our health! July has been dedicated as Social Wellness month as a reminder that no matter what our social goals are, creating new and maintaining current relationships is so important. Here are some facts about having social connections:

• Socially isolated people are more at risk to have illness and have a death rate two to three times higher than those who are not.
• Those who have social support do better under stress and are physically and mentally healthier.

Social media and technology has become a huge part of many peoples’ lives. It helps us stay connected with friends and family and know what is going on around us. Want to stay connected with long distance friends or family? You can stay connected through email, but you could also get connected though social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. Do you have a friend from the past that you want to reconnect with? Find them on social media! Social media and technology have made it easy to stay connected! Start building up your social connections today! Your overall health will thank you!

 

Sources:

How To Create A Connection Mindset To Boost Resiliency

http://keywordsuggest.org/561502-social-wellness.html

Cord Blood Awareness 2017

Cord blood is the blood from the umbilical cord and placenta when a baby is born. When the cord is cut, some blood stays in the cord and the placenta attached to it and the baby no longer needs it. However, research has shown that saving this blood could be very beneficial and lifesaving in the future! Cord blood has all elements of blood plus blood-forming stem cells.

There are many uses for cord blood. Instead of using bone marrow in transplants, cord blood can be used! Transplants are used to assist treating people with blood, immune system, genetic, and metabolic diseases. There are so many people that benefit from transplants. Cord blood can make the transplant process easier as it can often be difficult to find a matching donor. Another use for cord blood is the stem cells that are in it. Research has shown a possibility that stem cells could replace other tissues of the body. They could be used to treat various cancers, blood diseases, and many other conditions.

There is still a large amount of research that needs to be done to learn more about cord blood and its benefits. Dedicating July as Cord Blood Awareness Month is a way to promote what we do know about cord blood. Take the time to learn more about cord blood and you’ll be amazed with how much science is changing and creating possibilities for the future!

Sources:

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/directorscorner/messages/national-cord-blood-awareness-month

http://www.nationalcordbloodprogram.org/qa/

https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/health-awareness/cord-blood-awareness-month.html

Practice Fireworks Safety – 2017

It’s finally fireworks season! There is a lot of fun packed into fireworks as there is a huge variety! Loud, quiet, big, small, what is your preference? These exploding pieces of entertainment are so fun, but don’t let them end up putting a damper on your Fourth of July celebration! Incorporate the following safety tips to ensure a night full of fun and prevent potentially serious accidents.

• Know the laws of your city in regards to fireworks and follow them!
• Read instructions and warning labels before lighting. Know what the firework will do so you know what to expect to ensure the safety of others in the area.
• Responsible adults should supervise the use of fireworks. Fireworks should not be lit by someone under the influence of alcohol.
• Wearing safety glasses can protect your eyes from debris and sparks.
• Light one firework at a time and back away quickly.
• Do not relight “duds.” Instead, wait 20 minutes then put it in a bucket of water.
• Have a bucket of water nearby.
• Do not put fireworks in pockets or shoot them into glass or metal containers.
• Avoid the use of homemade fireworks.
• If you have pets, make sure they had IDs and keep them in a safe place.
• If it is windy, make sure the wind won’t blow the fireworks into the crowd or wait to light the fireworks until the wind dies down.

Follow these rules and use common sense when around fireworks. It may seem ridiculous to have so many rules, but they are there to protect everyone! Have a fun and safe fireworks season!

 

Sources:

http://www.fireworkssafety.org/safety-tips/

https://www.fireworks.com/fireworks-university/fireworks-safety-tips/

https://www.firefighter-pgh.com/author/i-g-o-t-a/