Webinar to focus on summer safety for Clark, Champaign residents

Free Zoom program offers tips on safety and places to enjoy this summer.
Larry Shaffer, the director of Environment Health at the Clark County Combined Health District, skims the top of the water at Old Reid Park as he looks for mosquito larvae. Shaffer will talk about  talk about various summer health hazards including poison ivy, mosquitos, cicadas during a webinar on safety Wednesday.  BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Larry Shaffer, the director of Environment Health at the Clark County Combined Health District, skims the top of the water at Old Reid Park as he looks for mosquito larvae. Shaffer will talk about talk about various summer health hazards including poison ivy, mosquitos, cicadas during a webinar on safety Wednesday. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

The temperature is rising, people are going outside and experiencing things again they couldn’t during the pandemic. Community Health Foundation (CHF) wants to help the community get back out there safely in Clark and Champaign counties.

The virtual Break for Health webinar series will send you back to barbecues, weddings, family reunions, travel, concerts and ball games the right way with its program “Enjoy Summer Fun … Safely” at noon Wednesday, June 9. The hour-long program is free on Zoom.

“Everyone’s looking forward to the world opening and there’s a lot of excitement. People need a reminder to know how to have fun again responsibly,” said Diane Van Auker, CHF project coordinator.

The program will cover a range of topics with a variety of presenters offering tips on safety and places they can enjoy this summer. They will include:

-Basil and Claudia Fett on bicycling safety and area trails.

-Brad Boyer of National Trail Parks and Recreation on its summer offerings.

-Pam Bennett on the gardens at Snyder Park her organization has been involved in.

- Camaren Sloan of the Springfield Farmers Market, which offers fresh, healthy foods on Saturday mornings in downtown Springfield.

- Larry Shaffer, Clark County Combined Health District director of Environmental Health, will talk about various summer health hazards including poison ivy, mosquitos, cicadas and many others, along with the latest information on remaining safe as pandemic restrictions and guidelines are loosened.

-Representatives of the Jefferson Street Oasis Garden, which has several plots and programs with adults and children where healthy food is grown, and the Champaign County YMCA, where several programs will be offered.

“Break for Health is easy and free; people can do it on their lunch hour,” Van Auker said.

Preregister for the webinar by emailing Joan Elder at jelder@mercy.co or go to the CHF website. Registrants will also be entered into a drawing for various door prizes.

The bimonthly series will return in August with back to school as the topic.

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