Health & Safety
Keeping our girls and volunteers safe is our top priority.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to develop this page with more information and resources regarding Health & Safety for the members of Girl Scouts of Nassau County. Please be sure to check back regularly to review new information as it is added and updated.
Please contact Customer Care if you ever have any safety guidelines questions—it is better to be safe than sorry!
Air Quality Advisory (updated June 8, 2023)
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the Long Island, New York City Metro, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York regions.
This advisory will be in effect through 11:59 p.m on Friday, June 9, 2023.
Exposure can cause short-term health effects such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. People with heart or breathing problems, and children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to the effects of poor air quality.
Recommendations:
- https://www.airnow.gov should be used as a way to gauge the risk posed by putting in the zip code or town and seeing the air quality index score for that area. https://www.airnow.gov
- An index score >100 means there is increased risk for the heart and lung problems I mentioned above for those who have existing cardiac and/or lung issues. Anyone who has such a health history should avoid working outdoors. Going outdoors should only be done if donning an N95 mask (ideally, one for which the person has been fit-tested). A surgical mask offers some but not enough protection. Please note, even N95s will filter most but not all of the dangerous contaminants from the wildfire smoke (carbon monoxide, for example).
- An index score >150, means that even those without any underlying heart or lung issues should adhere to the above guidance.
- Girl Scouts should not participate in programs or activities outside if it can be avoided. Indoors, air filtration devices should be on (ideally HEPA units) and windows closed.
- If Girl Scouts must be outside, they should be donning N95s. Exertional activities outdoors should be avoided.
- In vehicles, windows should be closed and A/C should be on.
We will continue to monitor and update on the air quality issues as necessary.
Safety Activity Checkpoints
Safety Activity Checkpoints is a resource that provides safety standards and guidelines for Girl Scouts of the United States of American (GSUSA)-approved activities. The Safety Activity Checkpoints (SAC) are written for particular activities.
Volunteers are responsible for seeing that all activities are planned and carried out in a manner that considers the health, safety, and general well-being of all participants in accordance with these guidelines.
