Health departments offer holiday safety tips
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and their First Choice Healthcare’s WIC and Maternal and Child Health staff note that December has been designated National Safe Toys and Celebrations Month. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be a fun, exciting time.
However, holiday decorations, parties and cold weather can pose threats to children. Therefore, the Health Department encourages you to keep these safety tips in mind while preparing for the holidays:
● If you have a real tree, make sure the tree stand is always filled with water so the tree doesn’t dry out and pose an increased fire hazard. If you buy an artificial tree, make sure it is made from fire-retardant material. Make sure the stand is flat on the ground, and decorate the tree to equally distribute weight.
● Do not leave children alone in a room with lighted candles, matches, lighters, fireplaces or any other sources of flame or heat.
● Keep decorations out of reach of children and secured to the wall. Any object small enough to fit through a toilet paper tube can obstruct the airway of a child.
● Keep mistletoe, holly berries and poinsettias out of reach of children as each is toxic when ingested.
● Closely supervise your child if he or she is helping you decorate, especially when handling lighting, ornaments and breakable objects.
● Purchase lights with the UL Listed mark which certifies that the product has been tested to meet safety requirements.
● Make sure your children’s toys are age-appropriate and the batteries cannot be easily removed. Batteries shaped like disks, or button batteries, pose a choking risk to young children.
● Avoid placing gifts under the tree that contain glass, perfume or cologne, poisonous substances or sharp materials.
● Keep alcohol out of reach of children. Quickly clean up leftover drinks.
● Dress your child properly for the weather, making sure that their hands, feet and heads are covered.
● Supervise children and make sure they wear the correct safety gear for sledding, skiing,
Heather Aldred, RN Maternal and Child Health supervisor, said, “It’s important to think about safety even during the holidays. Carefully inspecting your home and taking care of any safety hazards can ensure you and your children have a happy, safe holiday season.”
For more information on Christmas safety, visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments.
WIC Program expands services for local families
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and their First Choice Healthcare WIC, Women, Infants and Children Food Supplemental program staff note in this time of uncertainty, Illinois WIC Families should know their staff is here for you and your family. WIC agencies are still open, and stores are accepting WIC benefits. You can continue to use your WIC benefits and go to WIC appointments.
The WIC program promotes the health of local children and mothers, by providing free groceries to participants; and creating healthier families by encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles.
Heather Aldred, RN, Maternal and Child Health Services supervisor with the Health Department, said, “Henry, Stark, Marshall and Putnam County residents have fully returned to only in-person “Face to face” appointments and services delivery. We do, however, still offer an online application feature to the program.”
In addition, they remind those who may be interested in taking advantage of all that WIC offers, that the new Illinois WIC EBT card is available to all WIC participants. This makes WIC services even more easy 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; no more handling multiple checks for different members of your family. The WIC process remains the same, benefits are reloaded on your card every three months after contacting and checking in with our WIC staff.” said Aldred.
The 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 the area’s 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 them,” Aldred said.
The Health Department WIC and case management staff promote 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 792-4011 Colona or apply here.
For more information you can also visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Stay merry, stay healthy: Local health departments share holiday safety tips
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments would like to remind everyone that it’s the time of year to look towards preventing sickness during the holiday and infectious season. It’s important to alert the public that Covid-19, flu, RSV and common cold infections will be and are already on the rise. Therefore, they offer some suggestions on how to help keep germs away during gatherings and activities and the infectious season.
Remember, it’s important to enjoy the season’s traditions in good health by taking steps to protect yourself and others from seasonal flu, COVID-19 and other infections:
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 & Flu vaccines
- Know what to do if you’re exposed
- Clean hands frequently
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing
- Stay at home when you are sick for at least 24 hours, until both are true: your symptoms are getting better overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
- Avoid contact with others who are sick
- And feel free to wear a mask
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and their First Choice Healthcare are reminding local residents they have the Pfizer updated Covid-19 Shots for adults. Covid-19 shots are available on a “walk-in” basis Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. or by appointment at their Kewanee and Toulon clinics.
Adults 18 years+ can get their flu vaccination on a “walk-in basis” Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. or by appointment; and children’s flu shots 6 mos+ are available by appointment at their Kewanee 309-852-5272 or Toulon Clinic 309-852-3115.
For more information on Christmas safety, visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
Get Covered Illinois Health Insurance Navigators at upcoming events
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and the Get Covered Illinois Navigator Program asks, “Do You Need Health Insurance?” Their Health Insurance navigators will be present at the upcoming local event to assist anyone looking to set up health insurance coverage:
Shell Gas Station-Colona, Ill.
Monday, Dec. 15
9 -11 a.m.
506 1st Ave., Colona, Ill.
Their “Get Covered Illinois” navigators can help you:
● Find affordable health coverage that meets your needs
● Fill out and submit your application
● Compare quality health plans side-by-side
● Find out if you qualify for financial help to lower your monthly premium
● Find out if you qualify for Medicaid or an affordability program
● Understand your benefits
● Understand health insurance terms
Remember you may be eligible to enroll in a Get Covered Illinois health plan outside of the usual open enrollment, or make changes to your existing coverage, if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, SEP. The SEP may require you to enroll within 60 days of a Qualifying Life Event. A qualifying life event is a life change, such as:
Loss of Health Coverage, due to:
● Losing job-based coverage
● Losing Medicaid coverage
● Losing Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors or Health Benefits For Immigrants Adult coverage
● A divorce or legal separation
● Turning 26 years old, no longer eligible for parents’ coverage
Other Qualifying Life Events include:
● Getting Married
● Having a baby or adopting a child
● Moving to a new ZIP code or county
● Becoming a US Citizen
● Leaving incarceration.
For more information on this Get Covered Illinois navigator event or assistance in enrolling in a Get Covered Illinois Healthcare Marketplace, call 309-852-5272.