Saturday, April 27, 2013
Tips for dealing with flood: In addition to structural damage, flood water can contaminate both food and drinking water with bacteria, viruses and other organisms.
- GOVERNMENT
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Saturday, April 27
When returning to your home after a flood, cleaning up can be overwhelming. The Kane County Health Department advises residents that in addition to structural damage, flood water can contaminate both food and drinking water with bacteria, viruses and other organisms. If you become ill (e.g. nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps), report your condition to your physician. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you receive a puncture or severe wound while in contact with contaminated flood water, you should be evaluated immediately by a healthcare provider and receive a tetanus shot if it’s been more than five years since your last booster. If your private well casing has been submerged, the water could …
Friday, April 19, 2013
After the flood of 2013, you might want to make sure your well water is safe.
- GOVERNMENT
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Friday, April 19
After this week’s flooding, homeowners with private wells have seen their wells flood, or they have questions regarding the safety of their drinking water. If the safety of your water supply is in doubt, be sure to use bottled water for drinking, preparing food, making ice, hand washing, washing dishes, brushing teeth and preparing baby formula. Do not eat any food that has come in contact with the potentially contaminated water. The Kane County Health Department has specific instructions on how to disinfect a well and is providing free drinking water sample analysis kits for any wells suspected of being contaminated with coliform bacteria due to flooding. You may obtain sample bottles and instructions for disinfection of wells from the …
Friday, March 8, 2013
The Kane County Health Department says, hey, use Daylight Saving Time as a reminder to keep your emergency supplies on hand.
Paranoia or just good, common sense? A we head into spring and face the potential for severe weather, now is a good time to check your emergency supplies to ensure they are refreshed and ready to use if needed. Using the time change on Sunday, March 10, is a good way to remind ourselves to perform this task twice a year. Remember: “Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks.” The American Public Health Association recommends that all Americans have at least a three-day supply of food and water stored in their homes, with at least one gallon of water per person per day. Your stockpile should also contain flashlights, a manual can opener, a radio, batteries and copies of important documents. When considering what else to include in your supply kit, …
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Barbara Jeffers removes the "interim" from her title as head of the Kane County Health Department.
The Kane County Board has appointed Barbara Jeffers, MPH, as the permanent executive director of the Health Department. Jeffers had been serving as Interim executive director since June 2012, when she was appointed to the fill the position of former Executive Director Paul Kuehnert, who left for another position. Jeffers said she will sustain the momentum of the department in terms of protecting the community, maintaining its partnerships and continuing the department’s strategic planning. Jeffers says her commitment to partnerships is "stronger than ever." The department's vision is to have the healthiest residents in Illinois by 2030, and it already has initiated projects bearing fruit as part of its Community Health Improvement Plan. “…
Monday, February 18, 2013
The Kane County Health Department is notifying the public about Taylor Farms' organic baby spinach. There have been no reported illnesses attributed to the product.
- BUSINESS
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Monday, February 18
Taylor Farms Retail, Inc., a California firm, is initiating a voluntary recall of Organic Baby Spinach with the potential to be contaminated with E coli, the Kane County Health Department reports. The Health Department says the company is pulling the product "out of an abundance of caution," and says there have been no reported illnesses attributed to the recalled items. Symptoms of the diseases caused by E coli include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that may in some cases progress to bloody diarrhea. Fever and vomiting may also occur. The product is described in detail as follows: The product was distributed in Illinois. No other products or code dates are affected by this recall. The company is cooperating with the Food and Drug …
Sunday, February 3, 2013
The Health Department’s Community Health Improvement Plan targets chronic diseases such as cancer. The department recommends that all homes in Kane County be tested for radon.
- PUBLIC SAFETY
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Sunday, February 3
As part of National Radon Action Month during January, the Kane County Health Department wants parents of children in day care to know they will be better informed about levels of radon in their child’s facility under a new state law that took effect Jan. 1, 2013. Licensed day care centers and day care homes in Illinois are now required to test for the radioactive gas. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, day care centers will need to show proof the facility has been tested for radon within the last three years as part of the initial application or license renewal process. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that comes from the radioactive decay of naturally occurring uranium in the soil. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung…
Saturday, February 2, 2013
First rule: Don't get your guests sick.
- AWARENESS
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Saturday, February 2
Even though Super Bowl Sunday is not an official holiday, millions of Americans celebrate the day with family and friends. In fact, Super Bowl Sunday is the second–largest day of food consumption in the United States after Thanksgiving. However, unlike a sit-down dinner, most Super Bowl parties feature buffet-style fare. If you are planning a Super Bowl party, make sure to follow the food safety playbook to ensure that everyone enjoys the party, no matter who wins or loses, and nobody goes home sick. A popular way to celebrate holidays or any party occasion is to invite friends and family to a buffet. However, this type of food service, where foods may be out for long periods leaves the door open for uninvited guests -- bacteria that cause…
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Mitigation is the key to making your home safe from radon gas—but the cost averages about $1,200 a home.
- GOVERNMENT
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Saturday, January 26
The Kane County Health Department, in conjunction with the Kane County Healthy Places Coalition, recommends that not only is it important to test your home for dangerous levels of radon, it is just as important to take steps to lower the levels, a procedure called “mitigation.” Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) estimates that only about one-third of those homes in Kane County found to have radon levels above the federal standard of 4 pCi/l actually have been mitigated. The cost to mitigate a home averages about $1,200 and is done by certified professionals. You can find a list of professionals in your area by visiting the IEMA website. The Health Department’s website contains a wealth of information about radon, including …
Monday, January 14, 2013
County health officials advise it’s not too late to get the vaccine, which remains available in St. Charles.
With flu season at its peak in Illinois and the illness hitting levels not seen in in at least six years, the Kane County Health Department is advising that is not too late to get your flu shot. Flu vaccine is available at many pharmacies, grocery stores and health providers, the Kane County Health Department said in a release, adding that anyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot to protect themselves and their family against influenza. The flu season typically runs through May, with activity peaking in January and into February. This season, however, the spike began early — in December, according to health officials and Google.org’s Flu Trends, which boasts that it uses aggregated Google search data to estimate flu activity …
Saturday, January 12, 2013
The Kane County Healthy Places Coalition is seeking student posters and videos to promote radon awareness—and a chance to win $1,000.
As part of National Radon Action Month (January), the Kane County Health Department is promoting two contests for school-aged children to raise awareness of the dangers of radon. Winners of the contests could win a cash prize and see their projects used in statewide and national radon awareness campaigns. Poster Contest: Sponsored by the American Lung Association, a poster contest for students 9 to 14 is open until March 1. First place winners of the Illinois state contest will be awarded $200 and be automatically entered in the national contest with the chance to win $1,000. For eligibility and artwork requirements, please visit the Health Department’s website at http://kanehealth.com/radon_contest.htm Video Contest: The American Lung …
Tarun Mullick,MD, Therapeutic-Interventional Gastroenterologist
11:43 am on Monday, February 18, 2013
Thanks for informing the public. Best way to do it is by having the seller(retailers) contact the buyers .They can easily do it thru their Sales data. If not,they can POST a BIG SIGN in their store. more ›