Licking County Health Department

10/22/2026

Today’s letter from the Safe Sleep Alphabet is K! K is for Keep. Keep naps safe! Safe sleep isn’t just for bedtime. Follow safe sleep practices for naps as well as bedtime. Remember, every sleep should be a safe sleep! If you need a safe sleep space for your baby, click here to see if you qualify for a free pack n’ play!

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10/21/2026

There is still time to take advantage of this special event. Stop by Thursday, October 22! See the details below!

Disaster Recovery Center Outreach Event Today & Tomorrow! 🏠🌧️

The Licking County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security are set up in the Hebron Municipal Complex for a two-day Disaster Recovery Center outreach event for today Wednesday 10/21 and Thursday 10/22.

If you or someone you know in Licking County were impacted by the severe weather event of August 10–22, 2026 come speak with Representatives from FEMA and/ or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be here to answer questions, provide guidance, and assist you!

📅 Wednesday, October 21 & Thursday, October 22
🕘 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Tentative)
📍 Hebron Municipal Complex, 934 W. Main Street Hebron, OH 43025

10/21/2026

🕷️🍬 Tick or Treat! Get ready for a creepy-crawly afternoon of fun, learning and CANDY! Join us THIS Saturday, October 24, from noon–2:00 p.m. at the Licking County Health Department for a community awareness event all about ticks and other creepy crawlers!

Learn how to protect yourself and your family from ticks. Activities include:

🔬 Hands-on demonstrations and microscopes for a close-up look
✅ Learn how to perform a tick check
🎒 Free tick-removal kits
🍭 Fun activities and, of course, CANDY
☕ Hot chocolate to warm you up
🦟 A mosquito mascot ready for photos
🎁 A drawing for gift card prizes

Bring the family and join the fun!
📅 October 24, 2026
⏰ Noon–2 p.m.
📍 UPDATED LOCATION: Licking County Health Department

Come for the creepy crawlers. Stay for the candy!

10/21/2026

💡 Did you know? You don't have to wait for Drug Take Back Day to safely dispose of medications.

Many law enforcement agencies maintain permanent medication drop boxes throughout the year, providing a safe and convenient way to dispose of unwanted prescription medications.

If you can't attend Drug Take Back Day on October 24, consider using a year-round disposal location in your community.

Year-Round Drop off locations: https://www.dea.gov/everyday-takeback-day

10/21/2026

Community partnerships make a difference! 🩷
We are so thankful for Destination Wellness Of Licking County and their continued support of SASS.

Through their 3rd Annual Breast Cancer 5K, they raised $1,500 for SASS! Thank you to everyone at Destination Wellness and all who participated for supporting our community and SASS. 👟🩷

🎀 THANK YOU, Licking County! 🎀

Because of YOU, our 3rd Annual Breast Cancer 5K raised **$1,500 for SASS** — Screening and Survivor Support for Breast Cancer in Licking County 💗

To every woman who ran, walked, volunteered, worked the event, or cheered us on — thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your support helps SASS provide free screenings, education, resources, and treatment support to women right here in our community.

This is what Destination Wellness is all about — women supporting women. We look forward to continuing to bring health and wellness to the women of Licking County and surrounding areas. See you at next year’s 5K! 🏃‍♀️💕

— Beth & the DW Team

10/20/2026

🎃🧪 Looking for a fun and easy Halloween-themed science experiment to try at home? Our Licking County Health Department Home Educators have a SWEET idea for you!

Put candy corn to the test! 🍬💧 Gather a few household liquids: water, vinegar, oil, and soda, and discover which one dissolves candy corn the fastest!

🤔 Make your predictions, watch what happens, and see if your guess was right!
This hands-on activity is a fun way to spark curiosity, encourage learning, and enjoy a little Halloween science with the whole family! 👻

Which liquid do YOU think will dissolve candy corn the fastest? Share your prediction in the comments! 👇

10/17/2026

Only 7days until Drug Take Back Day! Now is the time to check your medicine cabinets, bathroom drawers, and kitchen cabinets for expired or unused prescription medications.

📅 Saturday, October 24
⏰ 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Four convenient drop-off locations are available throughout Licking County.
📍 Newark Kroger
📍 Heath Kroger
📍 Pataskala Kroger
📍 Hebron Police Department

Let's work together to reduce medication misuse and keep our community safe.

10/15/2026

What do germs say on Halloween? 🍬Trick or sneeze! But seriously, we shouldn't let germs ruin the upcoming Halloween fun with runny noses and coughs. Back-to-school can cause illness for our students and teachers with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), a Streptococcal infection (Strep Throat), Pertussis (Whooping Cough), and much more. These diseases can spread easily around schools because of their congregate setting and the disease's ability to usually cause illness within days of exposure. However, we can take steps to protect ourselves and others by:

🎃 Washing hands, especially before and after eating, with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
🕷️ Using the appropriate disinfectant frequently on high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, tables/desks, and technology like keyboards.
👻Promptly see a doctor or provider when you are sick for a diagnosis and proper treatment.
🐈‍⬛ Stay home when sick! Return to school criteria can vary by disease and the schools' policy, but as a general rule, an individual can return if they have not had a fever with the use of fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours and are feeling better overall.

The Licking County Health Department monitors individual reportable diseases as well as outbreaks to help prevent further transmission of disease. You can stay up to date on communicable diseases in Licking County by navigating to our monthly report on our website here: https://lickingcohealth.org/community-health-assessment/.

10/14/2026

Today, Adam Masters, Planning and Preparedness Manager, joined a panel discussion at the Community Partners Council Monthly Forum alongside Ashley Washburn from Family Health Services of East Central Ohio, Inc. and Kay Spergel from Mental Health and Recovery for Licking and Knox Counties.

Adam shared information and answered questions about the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), highlighting how community organizations are working together to address local health priorities and create a healthier future for all. Thank you to everyone who participated in the discussion!

10/14/2026

🎙️ New episode alert!

Tune in to the latest episode of Public Health Pulse as Host Madi Dice sits down with Health Educator Sorriah Wilson to discuss the upcoming Drug Take Back Day event.

Learn why proper medication disposal matters, how to safely get rid of old or unused medications, and discover local resources to help keep your medications secure.

We hope to see you at Drug Take Back day!
📅 Saturday, October 24
⏰ 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Collection Sites:
📍 Newark Kroger
📍 Heath Kroger
📍 Pataskala Kroger
📍 Hebron Police Department