Sheridan County Public Health

11/14/2025

Today is National Seat Belt Day! A study, Booster Seat Use in the USA: Breakthroughs and Barriers, found that 4 out of 5 caregivers moved their child from a booster seat to a seat belt alone before their child was big enough.
Before you drive off, make sure your passengers buckle up, every ride, every time, no exceptions! Not sure if your child is ready for just the seat belt? Try the Safety Belt Fit Test:
🔵 Check knees and feet. Your child’s knees should bend at the edge of the seat when their back and bottom are against the vehicle seat back. Their feet should touch the floor for comfort and stability.
🔵 Check the lap belt. The vehicle lap belt must fit snugly across the hips or upper thighs.
🔵 Check the shoulder belt. The shoulder belt must fit across the shoulder and chest, NOT across the face or neck. If your child doesn't pass the test, keep them in a belt-positioning booster seat until they do.
🚙 Remember, the seat belt may fit differently in every car, so always check in each vehicle!
And don’t forget: kids mimic adults. Make sure you're buckled up and set the right example for them to follow!

https://www.safekids.org/research-report/booster-seat-use-usa-breakthroughs-and-barriers?fbclid=IwY2xjawOEJXhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQQ0RLWEhuenJtQU9OT1hUc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHk00w89yCKy3uXPUTQwrlifDuVoIKkGwcCXjLQ2uzE6RqEiU-UyIZ0sS3Vke_aem_qBNidA-tdaGeKGQISa_6SA

11/14/2025

Today is National Seat Belt Day! A study, Booster Seat Use in the USA: Breakthroughs and Barriers, found that 4 out of 5 caregivers moved their child from a booster seat to a seat belt alone before their child was big enough.
Before you drive off, make sure your passengers buckle up, every ride, every time, no exceptions! Not sure if your child is ready for just the seat belt? Try the Safety Belt Fit Test:
🔵 Check knees and feet. Your child’s knees should bend at the edge of the seat when their back and bottom are against the vehicle seat back. Their feet should touch the floor for comfort and stability.
🔵 Check the lap belt. The vehicle lap belt must fit snugly across the hips or upper thighs.
🔵 Check the shoulder belt. The shoulder belt must fit across the shoulder and chest, NOT across the face or neck. If your child doesn't pass the test, keep them in a belt-positioning booster seat until they do.
🚙 Remember, the seat belt may fit differently in every car, so always check in each vehicle!
And don’t forget: kids mimic adults. Make sure you're buckled up and set the right example for them to follow!

https://www.safekids.org/research-report/booster-seat-use-usa-breakthroughs-and-barriers?fbclid=IwY2xjawOEJXhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQQ0RLWEhuenJtQU9OT1hUc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHk00w89yCKy3uXPUTQwrlifDuVoIKkGwcCXjLQ2uzE6RqEiU-UyIZ0sS3Vke_aem_qBNidA-tdaGeKGQISa_6SA

Our study finds that 4 out of 5 parents move children out of booster seats before they are ready. Booster seats can reduce the risk of serious injury by 45 percent compared to seat belts alone.]

11/14/2025

Calling local, online business!

Kansas Sampler Foundation offers a Holiday Online Kansas Product Shopping List. This annual online shopping list of Kansas products is put together by the Inman-based Kansas Sampler Foundation. Their mission is to preserve and sustain rural culture and to help make your holiday shopping easier and more enjoyable.

The first shopping list of the season will be out November 16. Criteria to be on the list is that the product be made in Kansas and that it has an online shopping cart.

If you have a business to add, submit at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mKQUpFWuvvsf-O9JTzBmOFi7VhWpuNpaBIFZXBhPvVk/viewform?ts=691226d4&edit_requested=true

11/13/2025

As of November 11, 15 infants have been reported with suspected or confirmed infant botulism cases due to exposure to Byheart Whole Nutrition infant formula across 12 states according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

All lots of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula products have been recalled. This includes all unexpired formula cans and single-serve “anywhere” sticks.
ByHeart Inc. Whole Nutrition Infant Formula represents about 1% of infant formula sales across the country and the recall does not create shortage concerns. It is not a SNAP/WIC eligible product. Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin produced by a bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum. All forms of botulism can be fatal and are considered medical emergencies.

Parents and caregivers should:
• Stop using any ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula immediately.
• If possible, record the lot numbers and best by dates or take a picture of the ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula products in your home.
• If you have leftover ByHeart powdered formula that your infant was fed, keep it
stored for at least a month. If your infant develops symptoms of infant botulism,
your state health department may want to collect it for testing. If no symptoms
appear after a month, throw the leftover formula away.
• Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the formula using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
• Seek immediate medical care if your infant has consumed ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula and has any of these symptoms:
o Poor feeding
o Loss of head control
o Difficulty swallowing
o Decreased facial expression
o Respiratory difficulty
• Symptoms of infant botulism can take as long as several weeks to develop, so
parents should remain vigilant if they used ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-infant-botulism-infant-formula-november-2025

Do not use recalled ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. FDA’s Investigation is ongoing.

11/12/2025

Next week is the week! We are offering free well water testing through the Northwest Local Environmental Protection Group. Test kits can be picked up here at the health department this week so that you are ready to return it the morning of Wednesday November 19th to be sent for testing.

The free testing will check the levels of bacteria, nitrates, and total dissolved solids in the water. Supplemental lead screening is also offered for $20. Although the well water may smell and taste fine, but that doesn't mean that it is safe. Testing is the only way to know for sure.

Stop in today to pick up you kit!

11/04/2025

This Health and Human Services (HHS) study finds home visiting services improved family wellbeing, specifically Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) -funded programs, significantly improved maternal and family wellbeing for participants five-to-seven years after enrolling in services.

Here at the health department, we offer home visiting services to pregnant mothers, post-partum, and for infants up to one year of age. It is a free strength-based service and can offer multiple visits if desired by the family. Call us at 785-675-2101 or send a DM so that we can connect and start some visits. Depending on insurance, there may be cash incentives as well.

https://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/press-releases/positive-home-visiting-by-kindergarten?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

10/29/2025

Is your well water safe? It may smell and taste fine, but that doesn't mean that it is safe. Testing is the only way to know for sure. Northwest Local Environmental Protection Group in partnership with the health department is offering free testing for bacteria, nitrates, and total dissolved solids. Supplemental lead screening is also offered for $20.

Samples will be picked up for testing on the morning of Wednesday, November 18th. Bottles can be picked up now and brought back to the health department on the 18th.

10/28/2025

Movement-Physical exercise and Kick Count


Baby’s movements should NOT slow down, stop or weaken, even at the end of pregnancy.

right away about any concerns
Trust your instincts
Don’t waste time drinking cold water/juice to make baby move or check with home doppler—just go in!
Know your baby!
How often is baby active each day? What times of day?
How long does it typically take baby to get to 10 kicks?
How strong are baby’s movements?
Does baby respond to sounds or pokes?
Get to know your little one!
No one knows your baby better than you!

10/24/2025

Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play.

What are two of the most important ways to keep your baby safe when they sleep and help them grow and develop when they're awake?

1. Back to sleep. Healthy babies are safest when sleeping on their backs at nighttime and during naps. Side sleeping is not as safe as back sleeping and is not advised.

2. Tummy to play. Tummy time is for babies who are awake and being watched. Your baby needs this to develop strong muscles.

10/21/2025

Infants who are exposed to secondhand smoke after birth are at greater risk for SIDS.

Facts:
1) If both parents smoke, baby’s SIDS risk is 3½ times greater than if neither parent smokes.
2) If mother smokes, but father doesn’t, baby’s risk is 2 times greater. 3) If father smokes, but mother doesn’t, baby’s risk is 1½ times greater.

If you are pregnant or thinking about pregnancy and there is to***co use in the home, consider quitting. Help is available on that journey. The Kansas Quitline offers medication and counseling to support you. Visit https://kansas.quitlogix.org/en-US/ to sign up.

10/20/2025

October marks a powerful month of prevention and awareness across the country. The DEA and partner organizations nationwide are working together to raise awareness about the dangers of substance misuse, promote safe communities, and encourage drug-free lifestyles.

Every year from October 23–31, Red Ribbon Week serves as a national call to action for parents, educators, and community leaders to talk with youth about the risks of drugs and the importance of making healthy choices.

The campaign honors DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, whose legacy continues to inspire prevention efforts that began in 1985 in his hometown of Calexico, California, and have since grown into a nationwide movement.
You can now watch the DEA’s 2025 Virtual National Red Ribbon Rally anytime this month at DEA.gov/redribbon
or GetSmartAboutDrugs.com
Let’s get ready for Red Ribbon week — and stand united for safer, stronger communities.

10/19/2025

Create a safe sleep environment when the temperatures cool down by placing baby in a wearable blanket or other sleeper at nap time and nighttime. Never place a blanket in the crib with baby.