Spring comforts us like an electric blanket on a cold night. It lures us with its bouquet, and rejuvenates us as we crawl out from winter's cocoon. Spring also ushers in insects that can make us sick, a hot sun that can burn us, and pollens and molds that trigger allergies and aggravate asthma. Here are some reminders to help make your spring healthy and inviting. Skin watch Parents twill have to slip, slop and slap to prevent skin cancer; slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat. Wear fabrics that you can't see through when held up to a light. And remember that sunscreen is not recommended for infants younger than 6 months old, so keep babies out of direct sunlight. Bugged out Repellents can reduce bites from ticks and other insects that can transmit disease, but their use is not without health risks. The higher the concentration of the repellant you use, the higher the protection, but the risk of negative health effects also goes up. Running rules Cathy Sliwinski, president of the Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club, offers these tips for both veteran and novice runners: • Always carry identification that contains your name, address, a contact number and your blood type in the event of an accident or a health crisis while running. • Don't run wearing headphones, especially in an area where there is traffic. It is important to be able to hear so that you are always aware of things going on around you. • Always run facing traffic and use extreme caution at intersections. Barbecue tips Here are tips to avoid food poisoning caused by germs growing too quickly in the heat. • Meats must be cooked to the proper temperature to assure safety. Germs such as E. Coli and salmonella can still be present in undercooked meats such as hamburger and chicken. • Do not place cooked meat on surfaces that had raw meat, and serve the first-cooked meats first. __
