Transcript: Health and Safety Podcast

Oct. 15, 2025

Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast. Coming up, learn about flu season, Lithium-ion batteries and battery safety, and Pedestrian Safety Month. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.

 

Now that fall has arrived, flu season is here and the number of people getting sick with respiratory illness is expected to increase. Here are five simple strategies you can use to protect yourself and those around you from flu. Most of these suggestions also apply to avoiding other respiratory illnesses as well.

• Get your annual flu shot. The flu vaccine is the best protection against the flu. It reduces your chance of getting sick and helps to protect others around you who cannot be vaccinated. Even if you do get sick, being vaccinated significantly reduces the severity of the illness. Everyone ages 6 months and older should get the annual flu shot. The ideal time to get a flu vaccine is September-October.
• Wash your hands often. Washing your hands regularly is one of the best and simplest ways to prevent yourself from getting sick. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If there is no soap or water available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes. Coughing and sneezing can spread germs to others. Always cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue, not with your hands. Make sure to throw out tissues and wash your hands immediately after.
• Clean surfaces regularly and avoid touching your face. When you touch your eyes, nose, and mouth, germs on your hands can enter your body and make you sick. Clean frequently touched surfaces such as countertops, handrails and doorknobs regularly.
• Stay home when sick. Staying home when sick is important in preventing illness from spreading to others. Stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both your symptoms are getting better overall, and you have not had a fever without using fever-reducing medication.

Our Health Department offers a dashboard that provides up-to-date information on respiratory illnesses in the Fairfax Health District. Find the dashboard on fairfaxcounty.gov; just search "prevent respiratory viruses dashboard."

 

Lithium-ion batteries are in most of the electronics in our homes. Smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, e-cigarettes, headphones, toys, and more are all powered by lithium-ion batteries. If not used correctly or damaged, these batteries can overheat and start a fire or explode. Here are some ways you can stay safe:

Buy only listed products:

• When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery, take time to research it. Look for a stamp from a nationally recognized testing lab on the packaging and product, which means that it meets established safety standards.
• Many products sold online and in stores may not meet safety standards and could increase the risk of fire.

Charge devices safely:

• Always use the cables that come with the product to charge it. Also, charge the device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• If you need a new charger, buy one from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved.
• Charge your device on a hard surface. Don’t charge it under a pillow, on a bed, or on a couch. This could cause a fire.
• Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged.

Dispose of or recycle batteries responsibly:

• Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they could catch fire.
• Recycling your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location is the best way to dispose of them. Visit call2recycle.org to find a recycling spot near you.

Lithium-ion batteries are part of our daily routine but when misused can cause damage and take lives. Don’t take chances. Be smart with your lithium-ion batteries.

 

October is Pedestrian Safety Month so there's no better time to take a moment and renew your efforts to travel safely. Whether you are walking, biking or driving, keep in mind that safety is a two-way street and is everyone’s job. If we each take a moment and consider safety, we hope to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents in Fairfax County.

For Drivers:

• Slow Down. Do not driver faster than the posted speed limit on any road.
• Stay Alert. Do not text and drive and avoid distractions when driving
• Be Patient. Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and look for them in the street.
• Stop and Wait. Virginia law requires drivers to stop (not just yield) to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks until the pedestrian has cleared the lane.
• Share the Road. Stay at least three feet away from cyclists and pedestrians when passing.

 For Pedestrians:

• Be Alert. If you need to cross the road, take a moment to look left and right for any oncoming traffic.
• Cross Safely. Look for the closest place to cross safely. Try to use a marked crosswalk if available. If no crosswalk is available, cross at a location with good sightlines in both directions.
• Wait to Cross. If a vehicle is stopped in front of you, take a moment to cross until you can make eye contact with the driver.
• Be Seen. Wear bright clothing or use your phone’s flashlight when walking in the dark to increase your vision and visibility.

NewsCenter has more tips.

 

Finally, learn how to make an emergency kit and a plan, as well as how to stay informed with emergency news and information at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency.

 

That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Va., Government. Thanks for listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and emergency preparedness may be found on our emergency information blog at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog. Follow the Health and Safety podcast on soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty and our podcasts webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. And remember, if you have a police, fire, or medical emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency needs, call 703-691-2131.