(Santa Fe) - Memorial Day is an opportunity to pause and honor the men and women of our Armed Forces who have died while serving our country. For many, it also marks the unofficial start of summer, and the New Mexico Department of Health encourages residents to use this holiday weekend as the starting point for making healthy and safe choices this summer season.
"This Memorial Day, we remember the sacrifices of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country," said Department of Health Secretary Designate Lynn Gallagher. "In memory of those lost, I urge New Mexicans to enjoy their freedom to live a healthy, active lifestyle both this weekend and all summer. Protect you and your loved ones from preventable health hazards."
The department offers these tips for enjoying Memorial Day weekend and for enjoying a happy and healthy summer:
- Enjoy New Mexico's natural beauty by going for a run, a hike, swim or bicycle ride;
- Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and both UVA and UVB protection to prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of skin cancer;
- Apply sunscreen before going outdoors and reapply often (every couple of hours), especially after swimming, perspiring or toweling off;
- Protect yourself from mosquito borne-illnesses. Use insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing when you go outdoors. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Take steps to control mosquitos inside and outside your home;
- Practice water safety and never leave a child unsupervised near a pool or body of water;
- Make sure to drink plenty of water when soaking up the sun or exercising outside;
- When grilling, choose leaner meats and marinate them to enjoy the flavor without the fat; and
- Practice food safety by storing food properly to prevent the growth of bacteria that can lead to food poisoning.
For more information on these and other health topics, visit https://nmhealth.org/.