I want you to take a minute and think back to your childhood. What did you do in your spare time? 

 Now think of your kids, nieces and nephews, how do they spend their time? I would guess that our kids spend way more time inside than we ever did. You may, in the recent past, have even caught yourself using technology as a barging chip to get things done around the house when our parents used playing outside as theirs.

Do you have to tell your kids to turn off the TV, iPad, computer or video games and convince them to go outside and play?  Isn't it sad how times have changed?

When I was a child I remember my mother having to call us from all over the neighborhood.  I loved to play and be outside it didn't matter the weather. Many of my earliest memories involved me playing outside with my sisters and cousins. I LOVED puddle jumping and dancing in the rain in the Spring, building snowmen and forts in the Winter, climbing trees, riding bikes, swimming and making "mud pies" in the Summer and in the Fall raking huge piles of leaves and jumping in. I enjoyed exploring and seeing new things. I loved picking up Samara Seeds or "twirly birds" and throwing them in the air, watching them fly back to earth. While staying up late with my granddad watching meteor showers was a special treat.

 I loved to play and while I played I exercised without even knowing what I was doing.  As I think back to my childhood and then look at kids today it kind of reminds me of the Disney movie Wall-E. We need to "unplug", get moving and just go outside! This is true for us as adults as well as our children. So, how can we make exercise fun? Use your imagination! Let yourself revert back to your childhood, go outside, enjoy the beautiful weather and have fun.

       Fun Outdoor Ideas:


       1. Homemade Bubbles
       2. Outdoor Games:
        Hopscotch, Hide-n-Seek
             Kick the Can, etc. 
       4. Family Bike Rides
       6. Family Water Fight
       7. Picnic on the Lawn
       8. Family "Track and Field" Day
       9. Plant a family Garden
     10. Run through the Sprinklers
     11. Play Soccer, Baseball,
                 or Volleyball
     12. Go Swimming                                                                       

Child Sized Health and Safety Expo

Do you want something fun to do during spring break? 

Bring your kids to the 

"Child Sized Health and Safety Fair"

 at the Utah County Health Department.

Children's Dental Health Month

February is a very special month. What is so special you ask? 

We find out if the Groundhog will see his shadow 

We celebrate not one but TWO President's Birthdays!

      Happy Birthday Lincoln and Washington!

We show our LOVE on Valentine's Day!

AND

We Celebrate

Children's Dental Health Month!!!!

Did you know that the Utah County Health Department offers FREE fluoride prescriptions and toothbrush kits for children 15 yrs and younger? It's true, just come to 

151 S University Ave, Suite 1610.

Poison Alert

Have you seen the detergent pods that are out on the market now? At first sight they seem like a fabulous and easy alternative to traditional laundry and dish washing detergents. They are easy, no mess, individually packed, perfectly sized packets of cleanliness. No more over "soaping" the dishwasher or washing machine. Dishes and clothes alike come out clean without much hassle. The problem comes in that these packets are on the rise in accidental poisonings in children. 

The pods are colorful and squishy and very inviting for little fingers. Poison control centers around the country have found that the inviting packages are being mistaken for candy. They are also easy to puncture which adds to the possibility of them being ingested or even to have the detergent shoot into a child's eyes causing other potential problems. 

If you use these detergent pods please remember to have them locked away in a secure place. Put them up high and out of reach for those little hands you love so well. Convenience is welcome but safety of our little ones is much more important. 

Flu Shots Now Available!

Utah County Health Department now has Flu Shots available at all of our locations!

Type of Flu Shots 

Traveling Clinics

School Immunzations

Can you believe that summer is coming to a close and school is just around the corner? With summer winding down your "To Do List" is probably growing, with preparations for school taking up most of your time. As you create your list don't forget about one very important "To Do", school immunizations!

Did you know that the Health Department has opened a satellite office in American Fork and that they are offering multiple clinics throughout the county this fall for immunizations? If you want to find out if there will be one in your area go to the new blog, utahcountyshots.blogspot.com

Protection against Whooping Cough

Protect yourself and your children by receiving the Pertussis Vaccine

Whooping cough is on the rise and Utah County is NOT an exception.
Recently, the CDC reported there have been over 18,000 confirmed cases of whopping cough (Pertussis) already this year, the highest it has been in 5 years. Whooping cough, also know as the 100 day cough, is very contagious and can easily be spread from one person to the next.

With kids returning to school in a few weeks the opportunity to spread and/or be infected with Pertussis may increase. It is very important to take the time to make sure your children are up to date on all of their immunizations, especially Pertussis, before school starts.

Parents and other adults should also receive a booster shot as medical research has shown that immunity for Pertussis decreases over time. This is especially important because whooping cough may not present itself the same way in adults, they may think they only have a cold and can unknowingly spread the disease to smaller children and babies.

If you have a new baby it is especially important for friends, family and anyone who may be in contact with your baby to be immunized before they see or hold the baby.

TDap (Tetnus, Diptheria, and Pertussis) is available at the Utah County Health Department in Provo and at our new satellite office in American Fork, both locations are walk-in clinics.

If you have any questions, you can call the Utah County Health Department (UCHD) Immunizations Clinic at 801-851-7025.

UCHD Provo
151 S University Ave
Provo, Utah
Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday

UCHD American Fork
599 S 500 E
American Fork, UT
Hours: 8:30am-4:00pm Monday through Friday
Closed for Lunch from Noon-1:00pm