Give the gift of health and safety: Your public health holiday gift guide

Looking for a last minute gift this holiday season? We’ve got you covered! These public health gifts are great for everyone on your list:

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Box and Farmers Market Gift Cards

• Why they’re great gifts: Fruits and vegetables give us nutrients that help protect from heart disease, stroke, and some cancers, and most of us aren’t getting enough of them! CSAs and farmers market gift cards are a way to buy local food directly from a farmer. You can learn more about CSAs on the through the FairShare CSA Coalition. 
• Where to get them: Find farms that offer CSA programs through FairShare CSA Coalition and Local Harvest. Check with your local farmers market to see if they offer gift cards.

Condoms & Dental Dams

• Why they’re great gifts: CDC tells us that correctly using male (also called external) condoms and other barriers like female (also called internal) condoms and dental dams, every time, can reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Using condoms correctly, every time, can also help prevent pregnancy.
• Where to get them: You can pick up free sexual health supplies, including condoms, lube, and dental dams, at our East Washington Office (2705 E. Washington Avenue, Madison), any time between 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. You can buy these supplies at pharmacies, sexual health stores, box stores, convenience stores, and online for about $1/item (multipacks cost more but usually are a better deal).

COVID Rapid Test Kits & Masks

• Why they’re great gifts: CDC recommends using a home test if you have COVID symptoms or were exposed to someone with COVID. This helps you isolate and prevent getting others sick. It also helps you get treatment quickly. Well-fitting, high-quality masks and respirators can provide great protection from respiratory illnesses (COVID, flu, RSV, and more), even if no one else around you is wearing a mask.
• Where to get them: You can pick up free at-home tests and masks from our South Park Street office (2300 S. Park St., Suite 2010) or East Washington office (2705 E. Washington Avenue, Madison) between 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, while supplies last. You can also order free at-home COVID tests on COVIDTests.gov. You can buy at-home tests in stores, pharmacies, and online for $10-35 (there is a big variation in price from store to store and by brand; shop around before you buy). Masks you can find at the same places for $5-25, depending on the type and quantity. 

Food Thermometer

• Why they’re great gifts: The USDA tells us that using a food thermometer is the only reliable way to make sure you’ve cooked meat, poultry, and egg products enough to kill any harmful microorganisms in your food.
• Where to get it: You can find food thermometers at box stores, restaurant supply stores, and online retailers for $3+.

Gun Locks

• Why they’re great gifts: Both the number and rate of deaths due to firearms increased in Dane County over the last decade. The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions reports, “Safely and securely storing firearms can reduce gun injuries and deaths, and is a practice supported by researchers, health care professionals, and gun owners alike.”
• Where to get them: Many law enforcement offices and violence prevention organizations offer free gun locks. Find the nearest organization near you that offers free safety kits, including a gun lock. You can also buy locks at box stores, sporting goods stores, and online for $10-35. 

Hand Sanitizer & Soap

• Why they’re great gifts: The holidays are timed exactly with respiratory illness season—we’re talking colds, flu, RSV, COVID-19, and more. Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. CDC tells us while washing hands with soap and water is best, if soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Who doesn’t love having a handy hand sani or fun smelling soap?!
• Where to get them: You can pick up both at drugstores, box stores, online retailers, and boutiques for $1+. 

Radon Test Kit

• Why they’re great gifts: Radon is an invisible radioactive gas that has no smell or taste. It occurs naturally in the ground. Radon causes lung cancer and is found in many homes throughout Wisconsin and Dane County. Testing is the only way to know if you have radon in your home. Nearly half of homes tested in Dane County had high levels of radon last year.
• Where to get it: We sell kits for $10 each (see our website for details) at our South Park Street office (2300 S. Park St., Suite 2010) between 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Hardware and home stores sell radon test kits, usually for under $25. 

Recreational League and Enrichment Gift Cards

• Why they’re great gifts: Community recreation programs are great places to meet people and exercise your body, mind, and spirit. Whether your loved one is into tai chi or knitting, there’s probably a rec program for them!   
• Where to get them: Check with your local recreational program/league, parks department, or similar organization to see if they offer gift cards for these types of activities.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• Why they’re great gifts: Smoke detectors alert you of a fire. Carbon monoxide is a gas with no color or smell. It causes headaches, nausea, sleepiness, and is deadly when you are exposed to high levels. Wisconsin state law requires smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home (see smoke detector placement details; see carbon monoxide detector placement details).
• Where to get them: You can find combo smoke/carbon monoxide detectors or each one individually. You can find detectors at box stores, hardware stores, and online retailers for $10-$50 (for bonus points, include extra batteries!). 

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