Springing forward to good health

ALBANY, N.Y. — Spring comforts us like an electric blanket on a cold night and lures us with its bouquet.

But before jumping wildly into spring's waiting arms, health and safety issues are worth considering.

Spring also ushers in insects that can bite us or make us sick, a hot sun that can burn us and even lead to skin cancer, and pollen and mold that trigger allergies and aggravate asthma.

Here are some reminders to help make your spring healthy and inviting.

Skin watch

The American Cancer Society urges parents to slip, slop, slap to prevent skin cancer:

Slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen (with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher) and slap on a hat. Research shows a link between sunburns in children and an increased risk of melanoma and skin cancer in later life.

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.

For more information, call the American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345 or visit its Web site at www.cancer.org.

Bugged out

Repellents can reduce bites from ticks and other insects that can transmit disease, but their use is not without health risks.

Deet, the label may say N,N- diethyl-m-toluamide, comes in concentrations as low as 5 percent or as high as 100 percent. The higher the concentration, the higher the protection, but the risk of negative health effects also goes up.

Deet products have been associated with skin reactions and eye irritations at concentrations of 50 percent and higher.

For more information, go to www.health.state.ny.us or call Environmental Health INFOLINE at 800-458-1158.

Allergy season

Beginning this spring, The Weather Channel Interactive Inc. (TWCI) includes an enhanced allergies and pollen section on Weather.com. It features local and travel pollen forecasts, allergy help center, tips and advice on common triggers and relief techniques, as well as a pollen almanac.

It has a library of articles and timely seasonal health news on kids and allergies, allergy treatment, natural allergy relief and asthma care and prevention. For more information, go to www.weather.com/allergies.

Bike safety

Besides obeying the rules of the road and always wearing a helmet, Darryl Caron of Clifton Park, N.Y., a longtime cyclist and member of the Mohawk-Hudson Cycling Club, has the following spring bicycling safety tips:

--Beware of sand and salt on the shoulders of roads, and watch out for pot holes. Either can easily result in a nasty spill.

--Be aware of debris on the road. Be sure to carry a patch kit and air pump, and know how to use them.

--Motorists need to start looking for cyclists and must use caution when they pass one, taking care not to cut them off or cut in front of them.

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. Let someone know the route you plan to run and when you expect to be home.

--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:

--Wash your hands and forearms thoroughly before preparing or serving food.

--Meats must be cooked to the proper temperature to assure safety. Germs such as Escherichia coli (abbreviated 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.

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