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Be well health tips are designed to help you live a safer and healthier life. Visit one of the categories below to read some helpful tips.

• Safety

  • Fireworks can result in severe burns, scars and disfigurement that can last a lifetime. Help keep your family safe with the American Academy of Pediatrics fireworks and summer safety tips.
  • Watch your step! Stand your ladder on flat ground and make sure the sides are locked into place before use. Follow these tips on how to safely use a ladder.
  • For many recreational activities, wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of serious head injury and even save your life. Learn more about buying a helmet that fits and which one is the right one to use.
  • Playing in the water - whether swimming, boating or diving - can be fun. It can also be dangerous, especially for children. Being safe can help prevent injuries and drowning. To help stay safe in the water, follow these tips.
  • It's important to prepare for possible disasters and other emergencies. Natural and human-caused disasters can strike suddenly, at any time and anywhere. Learn how you can be ready.
  • Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and make sure you have smoke alarms near all sleeping rooms. Test all smoke alarms once a month. Read these fire prevention tips.
  • Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can be life-threatening. Learn how to recognize and prevent it.
  • Prepare for a winter storm before it hits. The best way to keep your family and yourself safe is to plan ahead. Read these tips.

• Physical Activity

  • Physical activity is important for everyone, but how much you need depends on your age. Learn more about what is recommended for your age and activity level.
  • Everyday activities can add up to an active lifestyle. You can go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood, ride a bicycle to work or play outdoor games with your children. Find more tips on helping you get active.
  • Endurance, or aerobic, activities increase your breathing and heart rate. They keep your heart, lungs, and circulatory system healthy and improve your overall fitness. Read about what activities you can do to boost your endurance.
  • As you age, it's important to protect your bones, joints and muscles: they support your body and help you move. Keeping them healthy can help ensure that you're able to do your daily activities and be physically active.
  • Water-based exercise - whether it's swimming or aerobics, strength training or stretching - can offer many health benefits.
  • Physical activity, including exercise, is good for you. Learn how to fit exercise and physical activity into your daily life.

• Nutrition

  • Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, dining out is necessary while on the road. Check out these tips for eating healthy when eating out.
  • Water helps flush our systems of waste products and toxins, yet many people go through life dehydrated—causing tiredness, low energy, and headaches. Read on for more health benefits of water.
  • Good sources of healthy fat are needed to nourish your brain, heart, and cells, as well as your hair, skin, and nails. Learn more about these important unsaturated fats.
  • Popcorn is a whole grain that can have added fat and salt. Try air-popping your popcorn to avoid these extras. If you're buying microwave popcorn, look for a lower-fat variety. You may also want to try the snack size bag to help with portion control.
  • Calcium is a mineral needed by the body for healthy bones, teeth, and proper function of the heart, muscles and nerves. Read about how much calcium your body needs and ways you can incorporate it into your diet.
  • Think color! Eating fruits and vegetables of different colors gives your body a wide range of valuable nutrients, like fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Read up on the many benefits of fruits and vegetables.
  • Add some cooked dry beans to your salad. Or, if you have a sweet tooth, add chopped apples, pears or raisins. Read these fun tips on how to add a variety of fruits and vegetables to your diet everyday.
  • There are many ways to maximize your benefit from fruit and vegetables without breaking your budget. Read these 30 tips on how to stretch your fruit and vegetable budget.
  • Have you wondered how much protein you need each day? In general, it's recommended that 10-35 percent of your daily calories come from protein. Read these recommended daily allowances.
  • Learning how to read and understand food labels can help you make healthier choices. Get some tips to make the most of the information on the Nutrition Facts label.
  • Start your day with breakfast. Breakfast fills your "empty tank" to get you going after a long night without food. Get some ideas for easy-to-prepare meals.
  • Looking to boost your iron intake? Try eating foods such as spinach, beans and beef, to name a few. Learn more about this important mineral.
  • What does "low fat" or "low sodium" mean on food labels? See how the FDA defines these frequently used terms.
  • Too much sodium is bad for your health. It can increase your blood pressure and your risk for a heart attack and stroke. Read more.
  • Everyone needs folic acid. Our bodies use it to make new cells. Folic acid is a B vitamin.
  • Carbohydrates provide fuel for your body. Healthier foods higher in carbohydrates include dietary fiber and whole grains and no added sugars.

• Animal Health

  • Eight things you can do to protect your dog in the heat. Learn more.
  • They're creepy, they're crawly...and they can carry diseases. Fleas and ticks are not just a nuisance but pose animal and human health risks. Learn how to protect you and your pets.
  • Buyer beware: purchasing pet drugs online can be risky. Learn more.
  • Many homes contain a variety of everyday items and substances that can be dangerous or even fatal if ingested by dogs and cats. Protect your pet from these household hazards.
  • Diabetic pets have special needs but can live long and healthy lives with the proper diagnosis and care. Learn more about caring for a diabetic pet.
  • Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Reduce the possibility of exposure to rabies by not letting your pets roam free. Learn more.
  • Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles. In addition, unrestrained pets in vehicles pose risks too. Learn more about how to keep your pets safe in vehicles.
  • Pets are now living longer than ever before and are facing a whole new set of age-related conditions. Learn more about how to care for older pets.

• General Wellness

  • The best way to protect your skin from the dangerous effects of UV radiation is to make sun protection part of your daily routine. Also remember that certain medications and cosmetics can increase the sensitivity of your skin and eyes to UV rays. Learn more.
  • Picnic and barbecue season offers lots of opportunities for outdoor fun with family and friends. To protect yourself, family and friends from foodborne illness during warm-weather months, safe food handling when eating outdoors is critical. Read the FDA's guidelines.
  • No two people experience Alzheimer's disease in the same way. As a result, there's no one approach to caregiving. Read these tips on daily care, behaviors and coping.
  • Drink fluoridated water and use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride's protection against tooth decay works at all ages.
  • Noise-induced hearing loss can result from a one-time exposure to a very loud sound or from listening to loud sounds over an extended period of time. Learn how to prevent it.
  • Concussions can occur in any sport or recreation activity. Learn how to prevent, recognize and respond to concussions.
  • Learn the signs and symptoms of a heart attack so you can act quickly.
  • Clean hands protect against infection. Follow these tips to properly wash hands.
  • Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causing many diseases and affecting the health of smokers in general. Get tips on how to quit.
  • Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water, including those with skins and rinds that are not eaten.
  • Warm weather makes it easier to spend time outdoors, but it also brings out the bugs. Learn how you can keep insects away.
  • Every day, people travel for vacation, business, volunteerism and to visit family and friends. Plan for safe and healthy travel with these tips.
  • Camping is a fun way to get family and friends together to enjoy the outdoors. Follow these tips and use the packing checklist to help ensure your camping trip is safe and healthy.
  • Healthy habits can protect you from the harmful effects of stress. Here are 10 positive healthy habits you may want to develop.
  • Many factors can contribute to a person’s weight: environment, family history and genetics, metabolism and behavior or habits. Read more about maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Skin is the largest organ in your body, and it has many jobs like protecting your organs, keeping you warm or cooling you down. Learn how to take care of your skin.
  • Most insect bites are harmless, though they feel unpleasant. To help prevent insect bites and their complications read these tips.
  • The arrival of summer means spending time at the pool, family barbeques, picnics, sports and other outdoor activities. Follow these tips this summer to keep your whole family happy and healthy.
  • Ticks can pass infections like Lyme disease to humans and pets. Take steps to prevent tick bites.
  • A comprehensive dilated eye exam is one of the best ways to help make sure you're keeping your eyes healthy. Read these tips for keeping your vision at its best.
  • Heart disease can affect women of any age. That's why it's important to start heart-healthy habits right now. Learn more.

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