Explore these resources for staying healthy and safe during the summer season.
Summer Weather and Sun Safety
Missouri summers can be hot! In the heat of the summer, it’s best to avoid the mid-day sun. Instead, get outdoors in the mornings, late afternoons or evenings.
Be safe, aware and prepared for hot weather. Learn the signs and symptoms of heat stress. Recognizing them early can save lives and help you know what to do until help arrives.
COOL DOWN Tips
- Cooling centers are places across Missouri where you can cool down. Keep this resource on hand to stay safe from the heat.
- Outdoors during the day? Work, exercise or play outdoors in the early morning, late afternoon or evening.
- Offer others hydrating beverages like flavored waters and sports drinks. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Learn the signs of heat stress and watch out for them in others.
- Don’t wait, call 911 and get medical help right away if you notice signs of heat stress in yourself or others. As body temperature rises, every second counts, and emergency response is critical.
- One serious symptom in a person with heat stress is passing out - fainting or losing consciousness. Call 911 and get medical help right away!
- Working in the heat? As a safety measure, buddy up! If you and a partner are watching out for each other, you’ll both have a better chance of avoiding heat stress.
- Never leave children or pets in cars!
Summer Allergies
In summer, pollen and mold in the air can trigger your allergies or asthma. Learn more about pollen and mold levels in Missouri.
Tickborne and Mosquito-borne Diseases
Ticks and mosquitoes are very common in Missouri and can spread disease through bites. Learn how to avoid ticks and mosquitoes while enjoying the outdoors this summer.
Find information about tickborne diseases in Missouri, learn about common ticks that spread them and get tips for preventing tick bites in the first place.
Mosquito-borne Disease Information
Find information about mosquito-borne diseases in Missouri, learn about mosquitoes that spread them, and get tips for preventing mosquito bites in the first place.
2 Minute Drills – whether you are on the trail, mowing your grass, or happen to find yourself in woody or brushy areas, take a few minutes to help protect yourself from ticks and mosquitoes.
More Healthy Summer Tips
Explore Missouri's food access landscape, summer food and farmer’s market programs, and resources for exploring the fresh picks of the season in your community. Resources include links to educational events and recipe inspiration. What’s for your dinner tonight?
Fish Advisory
Catch, prepare and eat healthy fish.
Test for Radon
If your windows are closed this summer, it may be an ideal time to test for radon.
Report an Algal Bloom
Avoid and report algal blooms in lakes, ponds and streams.
Test Your Well
Test your private drinking water well once a year, anytime the well is serviced or if you notice a change in water color, smell or taste.
Recreational Water Safety
Get waterborne illness prevention tips.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning while vacationing, boating or grilling
The National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program
Missouri Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) is a program within the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. EPHT is part of a network of people and information systems which delivers a core set of health, exposure, and hazards data, information summaries and tools to enable analysis, visualization and reporting of insights drawn from data. Those insights are intended to help data drive actions and improve community health.