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January 30, 2014 – With the forecast of warmer temperatures Peterborough Public Health is lifting the Frostbite Alert issued earlier this week for residents of Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.

Even though the Frostbite Alert has been lifted, residents are reminded to take precautions in cold weather, including dressing warmly and in layers, watching for signs of hypothermia and frostbite, and checking on the elderly and people with disabilities who live alone.  The Public Health will continue to monitor the weather forecasts throughout the winter and issue frostbite alerts, warnings or emergencies when forecasted temperatures or wind chill values reach thresholds as indicated in the Extreme Cold Response Plan.

Further information about staying healthy in extreme cold conditions and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

 

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

January 29, 2014 – Community Water Fluoridation Offers Important Health Benefits to Those Most in Need

During last night’s public meeting organized by a local advocacy group to discuss the merits of community water fluoridation, Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health with Peterborough Public Health, reassured residents that fluoride is not only safe and effective but the best way to help those unable to afford dental care.

“Scientific evidence continues to show that when fluoride is added to municipal water supplies at optimum levels, it strengthens everyone’s teeth and remains safe, even if ingested,” said Dr. Salvaterra.  “I share the organizers’ passion for ensuring our water supplies are safe, healthy and beneficial to all, however it is important to use an evidence-based approach instead of developing opinions based on sensational claims made by sources that are not peer reviewed, or taken out of context, such as those presented in the movie The Fluoride Deception”.

Dr. Salvaterra encouraged the audience to ensure they consulted credible sources when learning about fluoride, such as those compiled on Public Health’s webpage entitled “Fluoride Facts” on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

In response to concerns raised that fluoride is a form of industrial waste, Dr. Salvaterra explained that the fluoride occurs naturally and is obtained from the same rocks from which phosphates used in fertilizers are extracted.  Fluoride is the thirteenth most abundant material found in the earth’s crust. The fluoride is then processed to remove impurities from the rocks.  “Fluoride is not a waste product of the fertilizer manufacturing process, but rather, a co-product,” she said.  One-third of the fluoride in Peterborough city water comes naturally from the Otonabee River.

Dr. Salvaterra noted that fluoride safe and effective because such miniscule amounts are added to water, and that these levels are monitored daily.  She explained that the highly concentrated hydrofluosilicic acid (HFSA) is hazardous, as is chlorine, and must be handled with care by drinking water operators.  But in the minute quantities that appear in Peterborough’s water, these substances are both safe and effective. Contrary to some claims, HFSA contains no lead.  As for mercury, PUC reports that although they test for it, they are unable to detect any in Peterborough water.  And for arsenic, the minute amount detectable in Peterborough water is only 1/64th of the amount allowable and most of it does not come from HFSA – it is already present in the raw water from the Otonabee River.

Dr. Salvaterra also addressed the cost benefit analysis of community water fluoridation. “Instead of costing the public money, adding fluoride to city water actually reduces the economic burden of tooth decay. Every dollar spent on water fluoridation saves $38 in dental treatments.  Fluoridating drinking water is still the most economical way to bring the benefits of fluoride to the entire population, including those who cannot afford it or do not have dental coverage.”  She noted that according to Public Health’s recent Oral Health Status Report, one-third of local residents have no form of dental insurance.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

January 28, 2014 – The Peterborough Public Health has issued a Frostbite Alert because of a forecasted wind chill of -37.

Extreme cold events are a potentCold Weather Alertially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed.  Local social service agencies rely on Public Health frostbite alerts to determine if services should be extended or enhanced.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

  • Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
  • Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia if outdoors for long periods.
  • Use caution when shoveling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
  • Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

Frostbite can permanently damage the body. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.  Since frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first check whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia.

Warnings signs of hypothermia:

Adults:

  • shivering, exhaustion
  • confusion, fumbling hands
  • memory loss, slurred speech
  • drowsiness

 

Infants:

  • bright red, cold skin
  • very low energy

Hypothermia is a very serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance. If there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and immediate medical care is not available:

  • Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
  • Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes—this increases the damage.
  • Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
  • Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.
  • Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
  • Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency and frostbite should be evaluated by a health care provider

  • Do not rub areas that appear to be affected by frostbite.
  • Seek medical care if you think you have frostbite.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

 

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence,
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

January 24, 2013 – With the forecast of warmer temperatures Peterborough Public Health is lifting the Frostbite Alert issued earlier this week for residents of Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations effective Saturday, January 25, 2014.

Even though the Frostbite Alert has been lifted, residents are reminded to take precautions in cold weather, including dressing warmly and in layers, watching for signs of hypothermia and frostbite, and checking on the elderly and people with disabilities who live alone.  The Public Health will continue to monitor the weather forecasts throughout the winter and issue frostbite alerts, warnings or emergencies when forecasted temperatures or wind chill values reach thresholds as indicated in the Extreme Cold Response Plan.

Further information about staying healthy in extreme cold conditions and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391

January 23, 2014 – Free Special Event on January 25 at Peterborough Square Open to All Families

Talk is not cheap when it comes to helping children develop strong literacy skills like reading and writing.

Family Literacy Day is Monday, January 27 and in the lead up to the event, Peterborough Public Health and the local Preschool Speech and Language Program are encouraging parents and grandparents to talk, listen, play and read with their children to help promote better literacy skills.

“Practising literacy together every day has tremendous benefits for children,” says Leisa Baker, a Public Health Nurse with Public Health and member of the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge Preschool Speech and Language Program. “Not only are strong literacy skills essential for children to reach their full potential, but they also contribute to healthy growth and development, improved speech and language, an interest in lifelong learning and future success in school.”

Baker says there are a variety of ways families can encourage literacy skills, including reading a book at bedtime, visiting the library, singing rhymes, playing a board game together, telling jokes, or reading a recipe together.

“Spending just 15 minutes a day talking and reading together can dramatically increase a child’s development and literacy,” she says.

In Peterborough, a Family Literacy Day event is planned for Saturday, January 25, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Peterborough Square.  All families are welcomed to take part in this free community event featuring children’s crafts and activities, literacy displays, raffle draws and a free book to take home. Click here or visit the KidTalk website at www.kidtalk.on.ca to learn more about the celebration.

To help celebrate Family Literacy Day, families can check with their local library or Ontario Early Years Centre to see if there are special events planned or visit ABC Life Literacy Canada (www.abclifeliteracy.ca) for resources and ideas on how to celebrate literacy at home.

Baker points to grocery shopping as an example. “Get your child to help you write a grocery list, then look for letters or words on signs in the supermarket,” she says.

For more ideas on speech and language development, visit the Preschool Speech and Language Program website Kidtalk (www.kidtalk.on.ca).

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For further information, please contact:

Laura Murray
Children’s Library Services
Peterborough Public Library
705-745-5382, ext. 2362

January 21, 2014 – Freeze the Industry Campaign Aims to Protect Youth from the Tobacco Industry

When most people hear mention of flavours like “cherry”, “vanilla berry”, or “cotton candy” they immediately think of sweet desserts or ice cream flavours, but in reality, these are also the flavours of a much more sinister product that is catching the eye of Peterborough’s youth.

“Flavoured tobacco and the fancy packages it comes in are appealing to youth, but despite its fancy names and flavours, it still carries a deadly punch,” said Miranda Doris, a Student Peer Leader with the Peterborough-County City Public Health.

According to a recent study released by the Propel Centre for Population Health Impact at the

University of Waterloo, flavoured tobacco is a product that is popular among Canadian youth.  The report indicates 52% of youth who smoke reported using flavoured tobacco in the last month.

Miss Doris also noted that many of these tobacco products that appeal to youth look and smell like harmless lip gloss and fruit snacks, which youth are already comfortable and familiar with.

Youth across Ontario are uniting under a campaign called Freeze the Industry to persuade governments to ban flavoured tobacco products and educate youth about the deceptive tactics used by tobacco companies to get them smoking early. “Simply put,” said Doris, “Freeze the Industry is a youth-led campaign that is seeking to remove flavour from tobacco industry products. Since youth are the targets of the tobacco industry, we feel compelled to work with our community to prevent youth from experimenting with tobacco in the first place, and becoming addicted to tobacco industry products.”

In 2009 the federal government passed Bill C-32, “The Cracking Down on Tobacco Marketing Aimed at Youth Act”, which was designed to protect youth from these tobacco industry products. However, to be compliant with the law, the tobacco industry simply altered their products by increasing the weight of individual cigarillos and increasing the number per package to reflect the new law, and as such, was able to continue selling these flavoured products that appeal to youth.

In an effort to achieve the lowest smoking rates in Canada, the Ontario government introduced Bill-131, “The Youth Smoking Prevention Act” on November 15, 2013. If passed, Bill-131 will see the ban of all flavoured tobacco industry products.

“The theme of this year’s National Non-Smoking Week which goes from January 19 to 25, is ‘Truth in Advertising’,” concluded Doris. “If the tobacco industry was being truthful in their advertising, they would have coffins on their product labels, not pictures of fruit.”

At the January Board of Health meeting, action in support of Freeze the Industry was unanimous. As such, the Board is urging people to get involved in this campaign:

1) Talk to your MPP about why you think it’s important to remove flavoured tobacco products

2) Sign the petition – www.freezetheindustry.com/join-the-movement.html

3) Follow us on Twitter – @frztheindustry

4) Join the discussion on Facebook – www.facebook.com/FreezeTheIndustryGelelIndustrie

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For further information, please contact:

Keith Beecroft

Youth Development Worker

(705) 743-1000, ext. 238

 

January 20, 2014 – . Spaces still available for upcoming seminars. Free of charge.

For more info click here…

 

 

January 20, 2014 – The Peterborough Public Health has issued a Frostbite Alert for Monday evening, January 20 and Tuesday, January 21 because of a forecasted wind chill of -32.

Extreme cold events are a potentially significant health risk and can have a severe impact on the health of vulnerable populations including infants, the elderly, people with circulatory problems, and the marginally housed.  Local social service agencies rely on Public Health frostbite alerts to determine if services should be extended or enhanced.

In order to protect the health of people in Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Public Health advises local residents to take the following precautions:

  • Check face and extremities frequently for signs of frostbite. Exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
  • Consider re-scheduling outdoor recreational activities, especially during the evening. There is a serious risk of hypothermia if outdoors for long periods.
  • Use caution when shoveling snow especially for those that have heart, respiratory (breathing) problems or other medical conditions. Snow shoveling is strenuous and can cause an onset of heart or respiratory problems.
  • Check on the elderly or people with disabilities living alone.

 

Frostbite can permanently damage the body. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures.  Since frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first check whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia.

Warnings signs of hypothermia:

Adults:

  • shivering, exhaustion
  • confusion, fumbling hands
  • memory loss, slurred speech
  • drowsiness

Infants:

  • bright red, cold skin
  • very low energy

Hypothermia is a very serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance. If there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and immediate medical care is not available:

  • Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
  • Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes—this increases the damage.
  • Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
  • Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers.
  • Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage.
  • Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency and frostbite should be evaluated by a health care provider

  • Do not rub areas that appear to be affected by frostbite.
  • Seek medical care if you think you have frostbite.

Increases in other health problems can also be seen, especially for those with other chronic medical conditions such as heart conditions.

Further information about the health risks of extreme cold and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

 

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence,
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

January 10, 2014 – Board of Health to Pursue Alternative Site for Relocation

The Peterborough County-City Board of Health and AON Inc. announced today that plans to purchase 185 King St. property will not proceed due to a lack of prospective tenants needed to rent the excess space.

“The Board of Health and AON Inc. worked tirelessly together over the past few months to recruit enough tenants, however there just weren’t enough groups ready to sign on in order to meet the requirements of our business case,” said Chief Phyllis Williams, Chair of the Board of Health. “While it’s unfortunate circumstances prevented us from assuming ownership of the King Street property, I’m very impressed with how well our two organizations collaborated to ensure the best use of tax dollars and minimizing financial risk to Public Health.”

Chief Williams noted that the Board will now pursue alternative locations to centralize Public Health services in one site. “The good news is that the provincial funding already committed by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will remain in place to support Public Health’s future relocation. This means that all of Public Health’s provincial and municipal stakeholders have confirmed their support of our intention to secure a new location to better serve the public health of our community.”
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

January 8, 2014 – With the forecast of warmer temperatures Peterborough Public Health is lifting the Frostbite Alert issued yesterday for residents of Peterborough County and City and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations.

Even though the Frostbite Alert has been lifted, residents are reminded to take precautions in cold weather, including dressing warmly and in layers, watching for signs of hypothermia and frostbite, and checking on the elderly and people with disabilities who live alone.  The Public Health will continue to monitor the weather forecasts throughout the winter and issue frostbite alerts, warnings or emergencies when forecasted temperatures or wind chill values reach thresholds as indicated in the Extreme Cold Response Plan.

Further information about staying healthy in extreme cold conditions and Public Health’s Extreme Cold Response Plan can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca under “My Home & Environment” by clicking on “Extreme Weather – Cold”.

 

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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391