Onondaga County Health Department

12/12/2025

LEAD RECALL ALERT – The Lucky Foods brand of ground cinnamon powder has been recalled due to high lead levels, posing a possible health risk. Customers who purchased this product are advised to keep it away from their children.

If your child has eaten this product, consider having them tested for an elevated blood lead level. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can cause permanent damage to the nervous system. This can result in learning disorders, developmental delays, and other long-term health problems.

For more information about blood lead testing, contact your child’s healthcare provider. If your child does not have a healthcare provider or if you have other questions, contact us at LeadFreeKids@ongov.net or call (315) 435-3271.

To read the full product recall, please visit:
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tbc-distribution-corporate-recalls-lucky-foods-brand-cinnamon-powder-because-possible-health-risk?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

12/11/2025

Health Commissioner Dr. Katie Anderson sat down with NewsChannel 9 to share updates on this year’s flu season, why flu vaccination matters, and highlights from a successful year of local public health initiatives.

Interview: Onondaga Co. health commissioner discusses rough start to flu season

12/10/2025

Stay safe and warm this winter! To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and exposure, all fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside. Avoid using unvented gas-burning appliances, gas or wood-burning stoves, and indoor fireplaces. Homeowners should check that all heating equipment is functioning properly and that the furnace and dryer vents are clear of ice and other debris.

Home Heating Tips:
✅ Never use your oven to heat your home.
✅ Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
✅ Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
✅ Ensure working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are on every floor of the home and outside of sleeping areas. Test them monthly.

For more information, visit: https://www.nationalgridus.com/Upstate-NY-Home/Storm-Safety/Cold-Weather

12/10/2025

DEC and the New York State Department of Transportation are encouraging New Yorkers to reduce the overuse of rock salt when possible, and “Don’t Be Salty, New York.” Although applying rock salt on roadways, parking lots, and sidewalks helps to ensure the safety of those traveling by vehicle or foot, overuse of salt can be costly for consumers, degrade infrastructure, contaminate runoff that enters streams and waterbodies, and impact drinking water.

How You Can Reduce Salt Spreading for a Healthy Environment:
🧊 Shovel what you can first. Removing snow and ice first helps reduce the amount of rock salt you’ll need.
🧊 Think twice before you start spreading rock salt. You only need 12 ounces to effectively melt snow and ice on a 20-foot driveway.
🧊 Know the temperature. Rock salt will not melt snow or ice below 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
🧊 Salt brine isn't just for Thanksgiving turkeys! You can use a combination of rock salt and water and apply it to your driveway and walkways to keep it ice free.
🧊 Combine 3.5 cups of rock salt per gallon of hot tap water.
Stir until all salt is dissolved. Let any gravel settle to the bottom.
🧊 Pour the brine into a regular garden sprayer and spray in a zig-zag pattern over desired area.
🧊 Save extra brine to use later.

12/10/2025

December is safe toys and gifts month! Lead can be hazardous for babies and young children. You can make sure that your child’s toys are free of lead and other harmful substances by checking the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall database. Follow our page for updates on lead product recalls!

How to choose safer toys:

✅ Research the country of origin the toy was made in.
✅ Check the CPSC website for recall alerts.
✅ Purchase from well-known stores and trusted brands
that have rigorous safety standards.

For more information, visit: https://www.cpsc.gov/

12/09/2025

Stay warm and stay safe this winter! When temps drop below freezing, frostbite and hypothermia can set in quickly—so take a few simple steps to protect yourself and your family ❄️🧣

🧤 Dress in layers
🧦 Keep dry and change out of wet clothes ASAP
🏡 Limit time outdoors and take warm-up breaks
🥤 Sip warm, non-alcoholic drinks
💪 Take it easy with outdoor chores

For kids:
🧥 Add an extra layer
🛷 Keep outdoor play short
🚗 Remove bulky coats before buckling into car seats
😴 Use safe sleep, use wearable blankets or sleepers

Check in on loved ones, especially older adults. Cold weather affects everyone—let’s look out for each other! ❤️❄️

12/09/2025

🎁✨ Stay on the nice list—carry Narcan! ✨🎁
Narcan (naloxone) can save a life during an opioid overdose, and it’s easy to use and carry.

Contact the Onondaga County Health Department for FREE Narcan and test strips.
Because keeping others safe is the best gift of all. ❤️🎄

12/08/2025

🧼✨ ¡Es la Semana Nacional de Concientización sobre el Lavado de Manos! ✨🧼
Manos limpias = bebés saludables 💕

Ya sea que estés amamantando, alimentando al pecho, extrayéndote leche o dando biberón, recuerda lavarte las manos antes y después de cada alimentación. Es una de las maneras más fáciles de proteger a tu bebé—especialmente durante los primeros meses.

¡Pequeños pasos hacen una GRAN diferencia! 💙👶
Aprende más ➡️https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/media/pdfs/preparacion-de-la-leche-materna-508.pdf

12/08/2025

🧼✨ It’s National Handwashing Awareness Week! ✨🧼
Clean hands = healthy babies 💕

Whether you’re breastfeeding, chestfeeding, pumping, or bottle-feeding, remember to wash your hands before and after every feeding. It’s one of the easiest ways to protect your little one—especially during those early months!

Small steps make a BIG difference. 💙👶
Learn more ➡️ cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breast-milk-preparation-and-storage/handling-breastmilk

12/07/2025

🚨 Narcan saves lives. 🚨
Narcan (naloxone) can reverse an opioid overdose—including from he**in, fentanyl, and prescription pain medications—when used quickly. It’s small, easy to use, and anyone can learn.

Get trained. Carry it. You could save a life. ❤️

Wishing everyone safe travels and a healthy holiday season! 🎄✨

12/05/2025

🎁 Take care of yourself this holiday season! 🎁
If you’re 40+, you may qualify for FREE breast or cervical cancer screenings—no health insurance needed.
If you’re 45+, ask about our FREE colorectal cancer screenings, too!

✔️ Early detection saves lives

📞 Call 315-435-3653 to see if you qualify
🌐 Learn morehttps://onondaga.gov/health/cancer-screening/

Give yourself the gift of good health! 💙