E.coli and produce?

Most fruits and vegetables grow in the natural environment and can be exposed to bad micro organisms like E.coli bacteria, viruses and parasites present in soil and water used for irrigation. This leads to contamination of produce. Cross contamination also occurs when produce comes in contact with raw meats during transportation and storage. If you consume this contaminated food, you … Read More

Canning Workshop Available

Are you interested in learning about the art of  home canning?  Join the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit and Chatham-Kent Foodlink on Wednesday, June 22nd from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the WISH Centre to learn more about how to can your own fruits and vegetables.  Registration is required and spaces are limited so be sure and reserve your spot … Read More

Canning Workshop Available

Are you interested in learning about the art of  home canning?  Join the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit and Chatham-Kent Foodlink on Wednesday, June 22nd from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the WISH Centre to learn more about how to can your own fruits and vegetables.  Registration is required and spaces are limited so be sure and reserve your spot … Read More

Finding Balance in Ridgetown

Women in the Ridgetown area are invited to register for Finding Balance at the Ridgetown and Area Adult Activity Centre during June.  Join us Wednesday mornings from June 1 – June 29th and learn to Keep Active, Check your Medications, Watch your Step and Eat Right.  This four week program is organized by Chatham-Kent VON, Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres and … Read More

Tanned Skin = Damaged Skin

Ever wish you could go back in time and tell yourself what you know now?  This video shows how the sun damaged your skin when you were younger – and now you witness its harmful effects.  Share this 6 minute clip with a young person in your life .   Did you know?          most sun damage occurs before age 18 … Read More

Easter Egg Safety

  If you’re decorating, hiding or hunting for eggs this Easter, the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit would like to offer the following tips for a safe and enjoyable Easter.  Before the hunt wash your hands thoroughly before handling eggs at every preparation step, from cooking and cooling, to dyeing and hiding only use grade A refrigerated eggs and discard any … Read More

Seed Funding for Small Business

Recognizing the challenges that small businesses face in providing a supportive, healthy environment for their employees we are now offering 10 grants of up to $200 for small businesses or not-for-profit organizations with less than 50 employees. This “seed” funding is meant to assist in the development of activities or programs that have a positive impact on employee health. Since … Read More

Employees…Rethink Your Drink!

April is Oral Health Month! Did you know drinking 1 small bottle of pop is like eating 20 chocolate chip cookies? Or drinking 1 large iced coffee drink can be like eating 5 ½ doughnuts? In fact, based on the amount of added sugar they are exactly the same! The extra calories in sugary drinks, such as pop and iced … Read More

Smoking for Two?

Did you know that for every cigarette a pregnant woman smokes, the baby gets the effects of two?  There are over 4,000 chemicals in a cigarette.  More than 50 of these cause cancer.  These chemicals are passed on to the baby through the placenta causing a decrease in the amount of oxygen and nutrients that the baby receives. Risks to … Read More

Thirsty? Rethink your drink!

Did you know drinking 1 small bottle of pop is like eating 20 chocolate chip cookies?  Or drinking 1 large iced coffee drink can be like eating 5 ½ doughnuts?  In fact, based on the amount of added sugar they are exactly the same!  The extra calories in sugary drinks, such as pop and iced tea, can add up quickly. This … Read More

Celebrate Food!

Celebrate food….from field to table!  March is Nutrition Month and the 2011 campaign focuses on a celebration of food – from where it’s grown and harvested all the way to appetizing and healthy food on our tables.  Learning where food comes from by visiting local farmers markets or taking the time to visit one of the local farms or growers … Read More

Smoking in Workplace Vehicles

Picture of a man smoking in a car

Since May 31st, 2006 the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA) requires workplaces to be smoke-free. Many are unaware that this also applies to vehicles that are driven for work (such as a backhoe, delivery truck or a taxi). In the SFOA, the definition of an enclosed workplace applies to a vehicle or conveyance or a part of any of them that … Read More