Keep Your Family Healthy This Flu Season 💛

October 16, 2025

Fall leaves on the ground in a neighborhood.

All Tips, No Tricks This Fall

As the days get cooler and we settle into fall, it’s a great time to check in on your health and the health of those around you.

Read on to learn how to protect your family from lead hazards, keep your indoor air clean, avoid children unintentionally eating THC edibles, ensure you’re visible when out in the woods, and get the latest updates on seasonal vaccines directly from Health Commissioner Hildebrant!

Child putting pice of a foam mat in their mouth.

Keep Lead Off The Menu

We all know that kids love to taste everything from yummy snacks to household items like keys and toys. But did you know that common items like these can be lead hazards that can cause long-term health problems in young kids and during pregnancy? That’s why Vermont passed the Vermont Lead Law to help prevent childhood lead poisoning 30 years ago.

Today, the law has expanded to protect workers, renters, homeowners and childcares from lead hazards.

Learn more about lead hazards.

* Scroll down for the answer.

Can you tell which one has THC in it?

THC edibles can look just like regular candy, making it difficult to tell the difference.

Children are more vulnerable to the effects of cannabis and are at a higher risk of poisoning, especially from edibles.

This trick-or-treat season, keep children safe by storing all cannabis products in a locked bag.

Order your free lock bag today.

Vaccines for Vermonters

Have you heard? We released recommendations for this year’s seasonal vaccines. Just like last year, we recommend flu and COVID vaccines for adults and children starting at six months old, in addition to RSV immunizations for eligible infants, children and older adults.

These are our first recommendations under a new law passed earlier this year that allows Vermont to issue its own vaccine guidance with advice from health experts. The process may be new this year, but the science is the same.

Now is a great time to get vaccinated to help keep yourself and your family healthy this season!

Learn more about respiratory vaccine recommendations here.

dog in an orange coat with a speech bubble that says "make sure you can be seen by wearing brightly colored clothing."

It's Smart to Be Bright

If you're heading into the woods during hunting season, a little preparation goes a long way. Wear bright clothing so you can be seen, keep pets leashed and visible, and check when and where hunting is allowed before you go.

Let hunters know you're there by whistling, talking, or wearing a bell, then keep unnecessary noise down so you don't disturb wildlife or other people.

Learn more about firearm and recreation safety.

Person on a bench with text that reads "stop smoking, start living today."

Your Future is Smoke-Free

Quitting smoking or vaping is one of the best things you can do for your health. Whatever your reason for quitting, you can join thousands of others this November in the Great American Smokeout and take a step toward a smoke-free life.

Get in touch with 802Quits to learn about the FREE, personalized support available to help you make your next quit attempt a success.

Clean air for cozy days

It’s that time of year when Vermonters spend more time cozying up indoors! Before you snuggle up by the fire with a good book, be sure you take steps to improve your home’s indoor air quality.

You can’t always smell air pollutants, but they can have serious health effects.

Here are some tips to keep your home’s air clean:

Have your home’s heating system checked and install carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide (CO) can build up to dangerous levels from fuel-burning appliances.
Ventilate! This could be as simple as cracking a window to let in a little winter air.
Use air purifiers.
Test your home for radon. Find out how here.

Learn more about reducing air pollutants in your home on our website.

* We don't know! You can't tell by looking. That's why proper storage is important.

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