A dangerous heat wave is expected in North Carolina this Fourth of July Weekend. High temperatures will likely exceed 100 degrees. Combined with humidity, it could feel like 110 degrees.
Topics Related to Families
As July 4th gets closer and our country celebrates its 250th birthday, NCDHHS wants everyone to use fireworks safely. Fireworks can seriously hurt people if they aren’t used the right way.
How Common are Fireworks Injuries in NC?In 2025, North Carolina emergency rooms treated 104 people for fireworks injuries during the July 4th weekend.
From 2020 to 2024, there was an average of 192 emergency department visits each year for fireworks-related injuries. More than 70% of those occurred in July. More than one in 10 firework injuries required hospitalization.
Who says you can’t be Sherlock Holmes when you grow up? NC public health professionals track and test for diseases to help stop them and keep communities safe.
Or maybe you want to keep playing in the dirt as a grown-up. NC environmental health experts dig holes, test the soil and make sure our groundwater is safe.
You can now learn more about public health careers in a new TV series called “Health Heroes.” The children’s educational series is on PBS North Carolina.
Did you know underage drinking often takes place in the summer?
Summer months bring vacations, parties and time with friends. During this time of year, it is important to be aware of how alcohol can impact young people.
When you’re pregnant, your heart works twice as hard. It is running a marathon every day to support you and your growing baby.
Even if you are young and feel healthy, pregnancy puts a lot of extra stress on your body. This stress can show hidden heart problems or cause a sudden jump in your blood pressure. From the time you become pregnant until your baby’s first birthday, heart problems are the top health risk you face.
Southeastern North Carolina Healthy Start (SENCHS) gives Cumberland and Hoke families extra support.
In North Carolina, many families get their drinking water from private wells. Unlike city water, which is tested regularly by water providers, private well owners must test their own water. That means it is up to each family to make sure their water is safe.
Water from private wells can contain harmful germs or chemicals you can’t see, smell or taste. If well water is not routinely tested, families may drink unsafe water without knowing it. This can lead to stomach problems, skin rashes or more serious health issues over time.
To keep the public informed, NCDHHS has launched a new Measles Cases and Outbreaks Dashboard. The dashboard will be updated around noon twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, with new case and exposure information. To protect privacy, no personal details about people who are sick will be shared.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is called the silent killer for a reason. You can't see it or smell it, but it can make you very sick — or even be deadly. Every year, more than 400 people in the United States die from carbon monoxide exposure, and thousands more get sick and need medical care.1
November is National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month. It's a good reminder to check your home, car and workplace for ways to prevent CO exposure. All CO poisonings can be prevented.
What is Carbon Monoxide?Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by:
Diabetes affects more than 1.3 million people in NC — and that number keeps growing. Even more people are at risk. About 1 in 3 adults has prediabetes. Prediabetes can often be prevented or reversed with healthy lifestyle changes.
This November, for Diabetes Awareness Month, take steps to lower your risk and help others do the same. Small changes can make a big difference.