The Henry Stark County Health department is reminding everyone that frostbite and hypothermia are the greatest threats facing anyone who ventures outside in temperatures below freezing. It only takes a few minutes in subzero weather for problems to occur.
Frostbite occurs when the cold outside slows circulation and tissue begins to die. The hands and feet are usually affected first. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature is lowered and can result in death if the drop in body heat slows the heart rate too much. Frostbite symptoms include numbness in the fingers, ears, nose, or feet. The affected areas may be red or white and hurt when rewarmed.
Medical treatment for frostbite usually consists of rewarming the affected area. Prolonged exposure to the cold can result in significant destruction of tissue. Serious cases of frostbite can result in gangrene, leading to possible amputation of the affected body part.
To prevent frostbite and hypothermia, individuals should wear hats which cover the ears, scarves or masks to cover the face, mittens instead of gloves so fingers can warm each other, and several layers of clothing to trap the body heat. Dampness increases the risk of frostbite and clothing should be changed if it becomes wet.
Drinking alcohol increases the chance of both hypothermia and frostbite. Alcohol slows down the heart and blurs the judgment of how cold the person really is. Smokers are more apt to experience spasms in blood vessels which interfere with circulation, thus increasing the threat of frostbite.
The Henry & Stark County Health Department and First Choice Healthcare WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Food Supplemental program staff are reminding local residents that the WIC program promotes the health of our local children and mothers, by providing free groceries to participants; and creating healthier families by encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles.
“Henry, Stark, Marshall and Putnam County residents have fully returned to only in-person “face to face” appointments and services delivery,” said Heather Aldred, RN, maternal and child health services supervisor with the health department.
They do, however, still offer an online application feature to the program. In addition, those who may be interested can take advantage of all that WIC offers. The new Illinois WIC EBT Card is available to all WIC participants. This makes WIC Services even easier for area families to use.
“All current WIC participants and households are now issued just one Illinois WIC EBT card with all the food benefits on this one card,” said Aldred.
No more multiple checks for different members of the family. “The WIC process remains the same, benefits are reloaded on the card every three months after contacting and checking in with their WIC Staff.” she said.
Health Department WIC staff have expanded WIC hours in order to be more convenient to working families and school children participating in the program. WIC benefits are available to eligible children up to the age of 5, pregnant women, infants, postpartum and breastfeeding women.
“We are so excited about this new WIC EBT Card, sometimes referred to as eWIC. Participants now have the ease of taking their shopping list to the store and then buying the food they need when they need it,” said Aldred.
The Health Department WIC and Case management staff promotes healthy pregnancies, babies, children and families through their services. The WIC Supplemental Food Program offers supplemental foods and nutrition education to residents who meet certain nutrition and economic guidelines. In addition, clients may receive healthy food items such as milk, formula, eggs, and cereal; fruits, vegetables, juices, whole grain breads and tortillas.
For more information on the Department’s WIC and Case Management services call the Department at 309-852-5272 Kewanee or 309-792-4011Colona or visit their website to apply at https://www.henrystarkhealth.com/FormCenter/WIC-10/WIC-Application-Form-65. For more information you can also visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Six communities in our area have Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded Residential Sharps Collection Kiosks. Five are located in Henry County and one is in Stark County. The kiosks allow citizens to safely drop off their used sharps.
Medical sharps, such as needles, syringes and lancets pose an injury risk for anyone who comes in contact with these items. Large numbers of sharps are used and generated by individuals and in homes and residences each and every day. If sharps are not disposed of correctly, they can be a safety and health hazard to any children, adults or sanitation workers that may come in contact with them.
The Health Department is partnering with local law enforcement and county officials, and a pharmacy to locate convenient disposal sites for local residents to utilize.
The Residential Sharps Collection Kiosks will be located at the following locations during regular business hours:
● First Choice Healthcare Kewanee Clinic, 110 N. Burr Blvd., Kewanee
● First Choice Healthcare Colona Clinic, 103 1st St., Colona
● First Choice Healthcare Toulon Clinic, 120 E. Court St., Toulon
● Geneseo Police Department, 119 S. Oakwood Ave., Geneseo
● Henry County Courthouse, 307 W. Center St., Cambridge
● Alpha Pharmacy, 211 S. 1st St., Alpha
The Health Department said they will also be working with local law enforcement agencies to conduct sharps collection drives at various times throughout the year for additional disposal opportunities.
For more information on the programs and services available through the Henry & Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare call 309-852-0197 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com.
