BEST BEFORE DATES vs. EXPIRY DATES When it comes to food, the terms ‘best before date’ and ‘expiry date’ have different meanings. What does a best before date actually mean? A food past its best before date does not mean the food cannot be eaten safely. A best before date is simply a promise from the manufacturer that the food … Read More
Winter Driving – Are You Prepared?
Driving in the winter time can pose many dangers. You should ensure your car is prepared to handle emergencies. The following is a list of things you should have in your car to be prepared: Food that won’t spoil, such as energy bars. Water in plastic bottles so they won’t break if frozen (change every 6 mths). Blanket, extra clothing and shoes. First aid … Read More
Potluck Parties – Food Safety Guidelines
Potluck parties are a very popular way to celebrate with friends and family. People like potluck parties because they reduce the burden of cooking and food preparation for everyone. However, before you share your favourite dishes, take a little time to learn and practice basic food safety. Different foods need to be handled and cooked differently, and it is important for … Read More
Pamper and Protect Yourself!
Everyone enjoys a little pampering! To ensure you have a great experience the following tips are recommended to reduce your risk of infection. Look and see if: The spa is inspected by the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit. All work areas are well lit, clean and organized. The spa operator washes their hands before starting your service. The operator uses new files … Read More
November is Radon Awareness Month
Radon is the second leading cause of Lung Cancer in Canada! What is radon? Radon is a natural radioactive gas from the soil and rock beneath our homes. When it seeps into your home, you can’t see it, taste it or smell it. Radon can kill you. Not many people know that a simple test in your home can … Read More
Food Safety Videos – Fun and Educational
We are proud to present a fun, fact filled series of Food Safety Videos to educate and entertain you, friends and family. Each video teaches how to “Be Food Safe” in different situations: Food Poisoning – Be Food Safe Learn more about Food Poisoning and what you should do if you think you have it. Grocery Shopping – Be Food … Read More
Food Related Illness and School Lunches
The following tips can help prevent you or your family getting sick from food related illnesses. • Wash hands, kitchen counters, and kitchen equipment prior to making lunches • Wash all vegetables and fruit • Wipe your child’s lunch bag and thermos each night. Clean with baking soda and water once a week • If using plastic wrap and Ziploc … Read More
Rabies – May is Rabies Awareness Month
What is Rabies? Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that affects the brain and spinal cord of warm-blooded mammals, including humans. How Can I get it? People may be exposed to rabies through contact with the saliva of an infected animal (usually a bite or scratch). What will I see if an animal has Rabies? Abnormal … Read More
Emergency Preparedness on a Budget – Get Started Today!
Preparing for emergencies at the personal and family level can help to reduce negative impacts on you and your family in the event of an emergency. Sometimes it can be hard to spend money preparing for emergencies that have not happened, when there are so many other things we could be spending it on. There are many things you can … Read More
Wash your leafy greens!
As a result of an ongoing food borne illness investigation implicating certain leafy greens as a possible source of E. coli 0157, Canadians are reminded to be vigilant about the following when handling/preparing food. thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after handling foods keep knives, counter tops, and cutting boards clean wash ready –to-eat fruits … Read More
How to get your Well Water Tested
Do you have a well, have you checked your well water lately? Pick up a water bottle, free of charge, from the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit or one of your local municipal service centres. Keep the bottle closed until the moment you fill it. Take the sample on the day you are planning to return it to the Health Unit. … Read More
Electronic Cigarettes in Chatham-Kent
Have you ever wondered about electronic cigarettes? Have you asked are there laws preventing the use of e-cigarettes? We get asked about electronic or e-cigarettes all the time. Here in Chatham-Kent our Smoke-Free Chatham-Kent by-law does cover e-cigarettes. According to our by-law, ‘smoke’, or ‘smoking’ includes the use or carrying of: any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, waterpipe any … Read More