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February 22, 2015 –

The Peterborough Public Health has issued a ninth Frostbite Alert this season because of forecasted wind chill values of -40 to -30 on February 22 to 23. This Frostbite Alert remains in effect until further notice.

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 and frostbite 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.

 

What clothing should be worn outdoors?

Always wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Synthetic and wool fabrics provide better insulation. Some synthetic fabrics are designed to keep perspiration away from your body which keep you dry and further reduce your risk.

 

Here are some useful tips:

  • Dress in layers with a wind resistant outer layer. You can remove layers if you get too warm (before you start sweating) or add a layer if you get cold.
  • Wear warm socks, gloves, a hat and scarf in cold weather. Be sure to cover your nose to protect it.
  • If you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as possible. You lose heat faster when you’re wet.

….continued

 

 

Cold related illnesses include:

 

Hypothermia:
Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.

Frostbite:
Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

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

February 20, 2015 – With the forecast of warmer temperatures Peterborough Public Health is lifting the Frostbite Alert issued on February 12, 2015 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”.

February 19, 2015 – Expert Prenatal Advice and Newborn Parenting Tips!

Expectant parents and their families are invited to a fun and informative night out by attending the Prenatal Health Fair Screen Shot 02-18-15 at 09.30 AMhosted by Peterborough Public Health at the Holiday Inn on Monday, February 23, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

This event is free and open to everyone with an interest in learning how best to prepare for having a baby, and about the supports available in the Peterborough area.  The Prenatal Health Fair features interactive displays and demonstrations on a wide variety of topics such as nutrition for baby and Mom, becoming a parent, baby’s development, and much more.

Car seat experts from the newly-formed Peterborough and Area Car Seat Committee will share tips and answer questions about how to safely buckle up your baby, a massage therapist will demonstrate infant massage techniques, a chiropractor will recommend ways to prevent back pain in pregnancy and hospital staff will share the many ways they provide support to get breastfeeding off to a good start.  Fathers-to-be won’t want to miss trying on the “Empathy Belly” and visiting the fathering display.  You might even win the door prize!

For more details, please call Kris Hazlitt at Peterborough Public Health at (705) 743-1000, ext. 254.

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February 18, 2015 – Board of Health Offer Preserves Jobs While Giving Modest Increase

The negotiating team of Peterborough Public Health is keen to get back to the table with ONA and CUPE union representatives to save public health jobs and services with a new contract.

“Despite criticism from ONA and CUPE that the current offer isn’t enough, it does provide a 0.5% increase while preserving jobs,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “The Board of Health has listened to their demands for higher wages and while the increase is modest, it enables us to maintain current services and keep these good, public sector jobs in Peterborough.”  Dr. Salvaterra added that although Public Health wage increases for those at the top of the salary grid may be less than desired by all parties, it is spending more each year to maintain the same level of benefits which go up as staff usage increases.

The Public Health receives 75% of its funding from the province, and 25% from local municipalities.  The Board of Health is asking both the province and local municipalities for a 2.95% increase this year.  This has been approved at the local level, however, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care staff are warning boards of health to brace themselves for a possible freeze in provincial funding.

Dr. Salvaterra noted that she hopes when negotiations resume in March that both CUPE and ONA and Public Health can reach a fair settlement to avoid a strike.  The Board of Health is offering a 0.5% wage increase to both unions, the same amount OPSEU workers agreed to in September 2014.  Presently, CUPE is asking for a 3% increase and ONA is asking for 2%.

All Public Health financial statements and 2015 budgets approved to date by the Board of Health are available at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

February 17, 2015 – To view the Board of Health Meeting Summary from February 11 please click the image below:

Screen Shot 02-17-15 at 12.26 PM

February 12, 2015 – The Peterborough Public Health has issued a eighth Frostbite Alert this season because of forecasted wind chill values of -34 on February 13. This Frostbite Alert remains in effect until further notice.

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 and frostbite 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.

What clothing should be worn outdoors?

Always wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Synthetic and wool fabrics provide better insulation. Some synthetic fabrics are designed to keep perspiration away from your body which keep you dry and further reduce your risk.

Here are some useful tips:

  • Dress in layers with a wind resistant outer layer. You can remove layers if you get too warm (before you start sweating) or add a layer if you get cold.
  • Wear warm socks, gloves, a hat and scarf in cold weather. Be sure to cover your nose to protect it.
  • If you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as possible. You lose heat faster when you’re wet.

Cold related illnesses include:

Hypothermia:  Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness. 

Frostbite:  Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

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”.

 

-30-

 

For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence

Communications Supervisor

705-743-1000, ext. 391

February 6, 2015Location: Peterborough City Hall, Council Chambers

The community is advised that the next meeting of the Board of Health will take place on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 4:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Peterborough City Hall, 500 George St. North.

To download the agenda and the online board package, please visit:

http://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/about-us/about-us-2/board-of-health/meeting-agendas

The meeting is open to the community and members of the media.

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February 4, 2015 – The Peterborough Public Health has issued a seventh Frostbite Alert this season because of forecasted wind chill values of -27 February 4, -33 on February 5,  -33 on February 6. This Frostbite Alert remains in effect until further notice.

Weather Alert - COLD L1aExtreme 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 and frostbite 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.

 

Cold related illnesses include:

Hypothermia:

Symptoms/signs include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling/uncoordinated movements, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness.

 

Frostbite:
Symptoms/signs include: white/greyish skin area, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness.

 

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”.

 

-30-

 

For further information, please contact:

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