January 9, 2023, is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and we’re taking the opportunity to recognize our law enforcement agents that work to stop the diversion and abuse of controlled substances and protect our state’s environment. DHEC thanks these men and women for the dedication, service and commitment to the rule of law they display every day.
The agency has two law enforcement units:
June 11 is Family Health & Fitness Day. This is a great reminder that eating healthy and being physically active are important for improving and maintaining overall health.
DHEC’s Bureau of Community Nutrition Services is sharing some ideas for how you and your family can be healthier and fit today and every day.
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Pool season is officially here! Even though swimming is a great recreational activity, be cautious about the water where you swim. This week marks the 11th annual Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, where this year’s theme is “Pool Chemistry for Healthy & Safe Swimming.”
Many people do not think about the chemistry of the water before they dive. Certain contaminations can lead to illness, including Cryptosporidium (or “Crypto”), Legionella and other recreational water illnesses. Pool chemicals are added to maintain water quality and kill germs. Each year, however, mishandling pool chemicals when treating pools, hot tubs, spas, and water playgrounds leads to 3,000-5,000 visits to emergency departments.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2009 there were approximately 301 million swimming visits each year by persons over the age of six. Please refrain from getting in deep water levels if you cannot swim. Each day, two children younger than 14 years old die from drowning. Drowning is a leading cause of death for children 1-4 years old.
Follow these tips for safe swimming this summer:
For additional inspection steps, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/materials/infographic-inspection.html Healthy swimming is safe swimming. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe this summer and stay informed.
Here’s a look at health and environmental news around South Carolina.
E-WIC cards to replace WIC vouchers, now available in Kershaw County
ABC News 4 (Charleston) WIS News (Midlands)
Restaurant Scorecards: Low rankings in Myrtle Beach (WMBF) and the Midlands (The State)
Restaurants in Myrtle Beach and the Midlands receive significantly low inspection ratings.
Multi-agency exercise readies Midlands for worst-case scenario
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – Nearly 200 personnel participated in a large-scale mock disaster drill Friday at the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission hangar at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport designed to challenge and improve their response capabilities.
In recognition of National Hepatitis Testing Day, DHEC clinics statewide will offer FREE Hepatitis testing on Monday, May 20. Here are 5 fast facts about hepatitis.
In South Carolina, approximately 75 males (per 100,000) were living with hepatitis C compared to approximately 44 women. Are you at risk for getting Hepatitis? Take the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Risk Assessment and find out.
Check your DHEC local public health clinic for more information about FREE Hepatitis Testing Day.
Live Healthy S.C. 