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Environmental Health Professionals: At the Center of Healthy Communities

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Environmental health professionals

Every time we dine at a restaurant, drink tap water, visit a public swimming pool, or send our children to daycare, we rely on public health protections that are easy to take for granted. Behind many of these safeguards are environmental health professionals whose training, expertise, and daily work help prevent illness and keep our communities safe.

Friday, November 6, 2026, is Environmental Health Professionals Day in Connecticut, an opportunity to recognize the dedicated individuals who identify health hazards, enforce safety standards, and help ensure that the places where we live, work, learn, and gather are healthy and safe.

At the Uncas Health District, environmental health professionals serve a critical role in protecting residents across eleven municipalities in Eastern Connecticut. Much of their work takes place outside the public spotlight, but its impact reaches nearly every household and business in our region.

What Do Environmental Health Professionals Do?

Environmental health focuses on the relationship between our surroundings and our health. According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, environmental health programs work to prevent illness caused by environmental threats and reduce exposure to potentially harmful conditions.

Environmental health professionals, including inspectors, sanitarians, and environmental health specialists, put these principles into practice through inspections, investigations, education, regulatory enforcement, and preventive action.

Their responsibilities span several essential areas of community health.

Protecting Food Safety

When residents visit a restaurant, purchase food from a mobile vendor, or attend a community festival, environmental health professionals help ensure that appropriate food safety standards are followed.

Through routine inspections, licensing, and education, they evaluate food handling, preparation, storage, sanitation, and other conditions that can contribute to foodborne illness.

At the Uncas Health District, food service oversight helps businesses understand and comply with Connecticut's food safety requirements while protecting the people they serve.

Safeguarding Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems

In Eastern Connecticut, many homes and businesses rely on private wells and septic systems. Environmental health professionals help protect these essential systems through permit reviews, inspections, technical guidance, and regulatory oversight.

Their work helps ensure that septic systems are properly designed and installed, reducing the risk of wastewater contamination affecting groundwater, nearby wells, and surrounding properties.

They also provide guidance on private well safety, including the importance of routine water testing and identifying potential contamination concerns.

These responsibilities are especially important because problems with water quality and wastewater disposal may not be immediately visible, even when they present significant health risks.

Maintaining Safe Public Spaces

Environmental health protections extend to many of the facilities residents use throughout their daily lives.

From public swimming pools and daycare facilities to salons, campgrounds, and other regulated establishments, environmental health professionals help ensure compliance with applicable health and sanitation requirements.

Inspections may address water quality, disinfection procedures, sanitation practices, facility maintenance, and other potential hazards.

The goal is not simply regulatory compliance. It is preventing injuries, infections, and illnesses by identifying unsafe conditions before they affect the public.

Investigating Health Concerns and Responding to Hazards

Environmental health professionals also investigate complaints and respond to conditions that may threaten community health.

Whether evaluating an unsanitary property, investigating a potential food safety issue, or assessing environmental conditions following a flood, these professionals apply scientific knowledge and regulatory expertise to identify risks and determine appropriate corrective actions.

Their expertise is particularly valuable during emergencies, when flooding, power outages, water contamination, and other disruptions can create new public health concerns.

Environmental health professionals work alongside emergency responders, municipal officials, businesses, and other public health personnel to help communities address these hazards and recover safely.

Why Prevention Matters

One of the most important aspects of environmental health is that success often means preventing something from happening.

A properly inspected restaurant may avoid a foodborne illness outbreak. A septic system review may prevent contamination of a nearby drinking water supply. A routine pool inspection may identify conditions that could otherwise lead to illness or injury.

These outcomes rarely generate headlines, but they represent meaningful protections for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Environmental health professionals do more than identify violations. They educate property owners, assist businesses in meeting health standards, investigate potential hazards, and apply regulations consistently and fairly.

Their work requires technical knowledge, sound judgment, communication skills, and a commitment to public service.

Recognizing the Professionals Behind Public Health Protection

Environmental Health Professionals Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the individuals whose contributions are essential to public health, even when their work goes largely unnoticed.

Their commitment helps protect our food, water, homes, businesses, and shared public spaces. Through prevention, education, and enforcement, they help create the conditions that allow communities to remain healthy and safe.

This Environmental Health Professionals Day, the Uncas Health District recognizes and thanks environmental health professionals throughout Connecticut, including our own dedicated team, for their expertise, professionalism, and continued service to the communities they protect.

To learn more about environmental health services or to report a public health concern, visit www.uncashd.org.

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Know Your Numbers: Diabetes Awareness and Prevention

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Man monitoring diabetes with smartphone health app

November is National Diabetes Month, led each year by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and it's a good time to ask a simple question: do you know your blood sugar numbers? Many people don't, and that matters. Diabetes often develops quietly for years before it causes symptoms, and by the time it's found, damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves may already be underway.

The encouraging part is that type 2 diabetes, the most common form, can often be prevented or delayed. Small, steady changes to how we eat, move, and get checked can make a real difference, and help is available close to home.

Diabetes by the Numbers

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest National Diabetes Statistics Report, an estimated 40.1 million people in the United States had diabetes in 2023, about 12% of the population. More than one in four adults with diabetes, roughly 11 million people, don't know they have it.

An even larger group is at risk. About 115 million U.S. adults have prediabetes, more than 2 in 5, and about 8 in 10 of them don't know it. Among adults 65 and older, more than half have prediabetes.

The stakes are high. The CDC reports that diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and adult blindness. It is also the nation's most costly health condition, at $640 billion in 2021.

Connecticut is not immune. The state Department of Public Health estimated that 10.7% of Connecticut adults, about 309,000 people, had diagnosed diabetes in 2022, up from 8.3% in 2013. That figure likely undercounts the true number, since many cases go undiagnosed. DPH data also show higher rates among older adults, Black and Hispanic residents, and households earning under $25,000 a year.

Understanding the Types of Diabetes

When we eat, the body turns most food into sugar (glucose), and the hormone insulin helps move that sugar into our cells for energy. With diabetes, the body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it well, so sugar builds up in the blood. Over time, that can lead to heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.

  • Type 1 diabetes is believed to be an autoimmune reaction that stops the body from making insulin. It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and people with type 1 need insulin every day. There is currently no known way to prevent it.
  • Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90% to 95% of diagnosed cases. The body doesn't use insulin well, and the condition develops over many years, often without noticeable symptoms.
  • Prediabetes means blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet high enough for a type 2 diagnosis. It raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, and it can be reversed.
  • Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy in people who have never had diabetes. It usually goes away after the baby is born but raises the risk of type 2 diabetes later in life for both parent and child.

Who's at Risk, and What to Watch For

Some risk factors can't be changed, like age and family history. Others can. According to the CDC, you may be at higher risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if you:

  • Are 45 or older
  • Are overweight or obese
  • Have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
  • Are physically active fewer than three times a week
  • Have high blood pressure or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Have had gestational diabetes, or given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
  • Are African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native (some Pacific Islander and Asian American people are also at higher risk)

Smoking matters too. People who smoke have a 30% to 40% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who don't.

Type 2 diabetes symptoms can take years to appear, and some people never notice any. When they do show up, common signs include frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurry vision, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, and cuts or sores that are slow to heal. Because symptoms are easy to miss, knowing your risk is often the best early warning.

Small Changes, Big Results

There is no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes, but type 2 is a different story. Prediabetes can be reversed, and the steps that help are practical ones.

  • Lose a modest amount of weight. Guidelines summarized in American Family Physician recommend losing 5% to 7% of body weight for most people with prediabetes. For someone who weighs 200 pounds, that's about 10-14 pounds.
  • Move more. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as brisk walking. That works out to about 30 minutes, five days a week, and shorter bouts count too.
  • Eat well. Focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins, and cut back on sugary drinks and heavily processed foods.
  • Don't smoke. Quitting lowers diabetes risk along with many other health risks.

The evidence behind these steps is strong. In the landmark Diabetes Prevention Program study, people with prediabetes who joined a structured lifestyle change program cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%, and by 71% for those over 60. That research is now the foundation of the CDC's National Diabetes Prevention Program, a year-long program led by trained lifestyle coaches who help participants build lasting habits around food, activity, stress, and motivation. Programs are offered in person and online, and you can find one near you.

Take the First Step

The single most useful thing you can do this November is find out where you stand.

  1. Take the CDC's 1-minute prediabetes risk test. It asks a few simple questions about age, family history, activity, and weight.
  2. Talk with your health care provider. If your score shows high risk, or you have any of the risk factors above, ask about a simple blood sugar test at your next visit.
  3. Pick one change and start small. A daily walk, a swap from soda to water, or an extra serving of vegetables is a real beginning.
  4. Ask about a lifestyle change program. If you're diagnosed with prediabetes, a CDC-recognized program can give you structure and support.

Diabetes is common, but it doesn't have to be inevitable. Knowing your risk today can protect your health for years to come.

November is National Diabetes Month, led each year by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and it's a good time to ask a simple question: do you know your blood sugar numbers? Many people don't, and that matters. Diabetes often develops quietly for years before it causes symptoms, and by the time it's found, damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves may already be underway.

The encouraging part is that type 2 diabetes, the most common form, can often be prevented or delayed. Small, steady changes to how we eat, move, and get checked can make a real difference, and help is available close to home.

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1.58 Million Pounds of Kayem Foods Products Recalled

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Kayem Foods Inc. is recalling about 1,584,361 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, including hot dogs, bacon, sausage, and deli meats, because they may have been stored at unsafe temperatures. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) classified it as a Class I recall, its highest risk level.

No illnesses have been confirmed. Still, if you shop for these products, it's worth checking your refrigerator and freezer now.

Temperature Storage Issue

Kayem Foods, based in Chelsea, Massachusetts, stored a range of ready-to-eat products in a warehouse cooler that experienced temperature deviations. FSIS says the products "may have experienced temperature abuse during storage."

The problem came to light when a retail customer reported warm product temperatures at delivery on October 1, 2026. The affected products were made between about March 31 and October 7, 2026, and shipped to retail and foodservice locations across the country and in Hong Kong. FSIS announced the recall on October 17.

Temperature abuse means food is kept outside the safe range for refrigerated storage for too long. The USDA advises keeping refrigerated food at 40°F or below, because bacteria multiply fastest between 40°F and 140°F. Ready-to-eat products are meant to be eaten without further cooking, so any storage issues aren't corrected before they reach your plate. The recall stems from how the products were stored, and FSIS reports no confirmed illnesses.

Affected Products

The recall covers more than 100 products, according to news coverage, including hot dogs, bacon, sausage, turkey breasts, and hams sold through retail stores, wholesale clubs, and foodservice operators. Reports name brands such as Al Fresco, DeCosta, Essem, Genoa, Jordan's, Kirschner, McKenzie Natural Artisan Deli, Meisterchef, Schonland's Foods, and Triple M. With a list this long, a brand name alone isn't enough to go on.

Instead, look inside the USDA mark of inspection on the package for one of these establishment numbers:

  • EST. M/P 7839
  • EST. P 20935A
  • EST. M 9520

Then compare the UPC on the package with the product list FSIS posted alongside its recall announcement. Products made from about March 31 through October 7, 2026 are included.

What to Do if You Have These Products

  1. Check your refrigerator and every freezer in the house, including a basement or garage freezer, for products carrying one of the three establishment numbers.
  2. Don't eat or serve them. FSIS urges consumers not to consume these products and says to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.
  3. Wipe down the shelves and drawers where the products were stored.
  4. If you ate a recalled product and feel unwell, contact a health care provider. Pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems should be especially careful.
  5. Call with questions. Kayem Foods Customer Service is at 800-426-6100 or [email protected], and the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is at 888-674-6854 or [email protected].

Keeping Meat and Poultry at Safe Temperatures

This recall is a reminder that temperature matters as much as the package date. A few habits help:

  • Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below and your freezer at 0°F. An inexpensive appliance thermometer tells you more than the dial does.
  • Get cold groceries into the refrigerator promptly. Perishable food shouldn't sit out for more than 2 hours, or for 1 hour when it's above 90°F.
  • Check packages at the store. If a package feels warm or the cooler case seems off, tell a store employee and choose another.
  • Don't crowd the refrigerator. Cold air needs room to circulate around packages.

Where to Find Updates

FSIS posts recall details, labels, and product lists on its recalls and public health alerts page, so check back in case the list changes. If you have a problem with a meat or poultry product, you can report it through the FSIS online complaint system.

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Halloween Safety: See and Be Seen

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Kids trick or treating

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, which means more kids out earlier, more families on the sidewalks, and more cars on neighborhood streets as the sun sets just before 6 p.m. It's one of the best nights of the year for kids, and also one of the riskiest. According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

The biggest factor is simple: it's dark, and people are hard to see. Here's how families and drivers across our district can keep the night fun and safe.

Make Costumes Easy to See

Many of the most popular costumes (ninjas, witches, vampires, superheroes in dark suits) blend right into the night. A few small additions make a big difference for a driver trying to spot your child from down the block.

  • Add reflective tape to the front and back of costumes and treat bags. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends planning costumes that are bright and reflective.
  • Carry a light. A flashlight, headlamp, or glow stick helps kids see where they're walking and helps drivers see them.
  • Choose bright colors when you can. If the costume has to be dark, a glowing accessory or reflective vest underneath still works.
  • Skip the full mask. Masks can block side vision, which matters most when crossing the street. The National Safety Council suggests nontoxic face paint instead; test it on a small patch of skin first.
  • Check the fit. Costumes should be short enough to avoid tripping, and hats shouldn't slide down over the eyes.
  • Look for "flame resistant" on the label for costumes, wigs, and accessories, per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
  • Avoid decorative contact lenses without a prescription. The FDA warns that non-prescription lenses can cause infections and even permanent vision loss.

On the route itself, stick to well-lit streets, use sidewalks and crosswalks, and walk, never run, across the street. Younger children should always have an adult with them, and older kids should travel in groups on a route you've agreed on.

Drivers: Slow Down and Look Twice

Even with reflective gear, a small child in a dark costume is hard to see at dusk, and excited trick-or-treaters don't always stop at the curb. If you need to drive on Halloween evening, plan for a slower trip.

  • Drive well below the speed limit in neighborhoods, and keep scanning both sides of the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds drivers to watch for children in unexpected places, since they may dart into the street.
  • Take extra care in driveways and alleys. Back out slowly and check behind you for small kids you can't see from the driver's seat.
  • Be most alert at twilight and after dark, when kids in dark clothing are hardest to spot.
  • Put the phone away. A glance at a screen is all it takes to miss a child stepping off the curb.
  • Turn your headlights on early, even before it's fully dark.
  • Keep new drivers off the road if you can. The National Safety Council encourages families to discourage inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween night.
  • Never drive impaired. NHTSA reports that in 2023, nearly half of all crash deaths on Halloween night were alcohol-related. If you're heading to a party, plan a sober ride home, and if you see a driver you think is impaired, call 911.

Check the Candy Before Anyone Digs In

Ask kids to wait until they get home to eat anything, then sort through the haul together.

  • Toss anything unwrapped or homemade from people you don't know, and anything with torn wrappers, pinholes, or an odd look, as the FDA advises.
  • Remove choking hazards for young children, including gum, peanuts, hard candy, and small toys.
  • Read labels for allergens. The AAP notes that candy can still trigger a reaction if it was made in a facility that handles the allergen. Children with severe allergies should carry their epinephrine auto-injector while trick-or-treating.
  • Watch for cannabis edibles. Deliberate tampering is rare, but the AAP warns that some THC products are packaged to look almost exactly like popular candy brands. Check for THC symbols, and if you keep edibles at home, lock them up and away from the candy bowl.

If you think your child ate something harmful, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. For severe symptoms, call 911.

Want to make your porch welcoming for kids with food allergies? Join the Teal Pumpkin Project by placing a teal pumpkin outside and offering non-food treats like stickers or glow sticks.

Enjoy the Treats, Just Not All at Once

A pillowcase full of candy is part of the fun, but eating it all in one night usually ends in a stomachache. A little planning keeps Halloween sweet for days, not just hours.

  • Start with a real meal. The AAP suggests a good dinner before heading out, so kids are less tempted to snack along the way.
  • Set a plan for the stash. Agree together on a few pieces a day, and stretch the candy out over the following days and weeks. Clear, consistent rules work better than surprise limits.
  • Pair candy with something filling, like a piece of fruit, cheese, or a glass of milk, as part of a regular snack or dessert.
  • Brush afterward. Sticky and sour candies cling to teeth, so a good brushing helps protect against cavities.
  • Hand out something different. Consider small boxes of raisins, pretzels, or popcorn, or non-food treats like pencils, stickers, bubbles, or spider rings. These are also a great fit for kids with food allergies.
  • Remember the walk counts. Trick-or-treating is a good chunk of evening exercise for the whole family.

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Getting Ready for Cold Weather: A Fall Safety Checklist

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Fall clean up

The weeks before the first hard frost are the best time to get your home, your health, and your household safety equipment ready for winter. Across the Uncas Health District, the cold months bring a predictable set of risks: heating-related fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, power outages that send families to generators, and respiratory illnesses that spread faster when we spend more time indoors.

Most of these risks are preventable with a few hours of work and a few quick appointments. This guide walks through four areas to tackle now, while the weather is still mild: preparing your home, getting vaccinated, testing your safety devices and generator, and having your heating system checked.

Winterize Your Home: Clean, Seal, and Keep the Air Moving

A tighter, warmer home is also a home where moisture, dust, and indoor pollutants build up. A little cleaning now keeps the air healthier all winter.

  • Replace furnace and HVAC filters. A clogged filter makes your system work harder and circulates more dust, pet dander, and allergens. Check the filter monthly during heating season and replace it at least every three months, or sooner if you have pets or allergies.
  • Clean vents, registers, and returns. Vacuum dust from supply and return grilles, and make sure furniture, rugs, and curtains are not blocking airflow.
  • Clear the dryer vent. Lint buildup is a leading cause of dryer fires, and a blocked vent can also push exhaust back into the home. Clean the lint trap after every load and clear the duct and outside vent opening at least once a year.
  • Seal drafts, but don't seal the house shut. Weatherstripping around doors and caulk around windows save energy. Just leave intentional vents, such as those for your furnace, water heater, and clothes dryer, unblocked.
  • Use exhaust fans. Run the bathroom fan during and after showers and the kitchen range hood when cooking, especially on a gas stove. Both move moisture and combustion byproducts outdoors.
  • Watch for moisture. Condensation on windows, musty smells, or visible mold are signs of too much humidity. Indoor humidity generally feels best and stays healthiest between 30 and 50 percent. A basic hygrometer costs a few dollars. Fix leaks promptly, and clean small patches of mold with soap and water.
  • Open windows briefly on mild days. Even ten minutes of fresh air on a milder afternoon helps clear stale air without a big heating penalty.

Finish the outdoor work too: clean the gutters, disconnect and drain garden hoses, shut off outdoor water lines if your plumbing allows, and keep snow shovels, ice melt, and a flashlight within easy reach before the first storm.

Get Vaccinated Before Respiratory Virus Season Peaks

October is the right month to get your flu shot. The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) notes that vaccination in October gives your body about two weeks to build protection before flu activity typically climbs, which in Connecticut has been around December. DPH recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. If you haven't gotten yours yet, now is the time. If you miss October, a later shot still helps, because flu season can run into spring.

Here is where DPH stands on the other major respiratory vaccines this season, according to its October 13, 2026 announcement:

  • Flu: Everyone 6 months and older, every year. Some children getting a flu vaccine for the first time need two doses about a month apart, so ask your pediatrician. Adults 65 and older can ask about higher-dose or enhanced flu vaccines, but should not delay vaccination to wait for a particular product.
  • COVID-19: DPH recommends vaccination for children under two and for people in high-risk groups. Everyone else is encouraged to talk with their health care provider about what is right for them. Several medical organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, recommend an updated COVID-19 vaccine for all adults.
  • RSV: Adults 75 and older who have not yet received the vaccine, and high-risk adults ages 60 to 74. For infants, protection comes either from RSV vaccination during pregnancy or from an antibody shot given to babies entering RSV season or born during it.

The federal government has not yet issued updated COVID-19 or RSV recommendations for this season, leaving some families unsure where to turn. DPH has endorsed the 2026-27 recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Your doctor, pediatrician, or pharmacist can help you sort out which shots make sense for you and your household. Questions are welcome. As DPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani puts it, people should feel empowered to ask their doctor any question about vaccines.

Where to get vaccinated. Many people can get a flu shot at their doctor's office or a local pharmacy. You can search for nearby locations at vaccinefinder.org. DPH also maintains a statewide list of flu clinics developed with local health departments, community health centers, and the CT Immunization Coalition, including options for homebound residents. Uninsured and underinsured adults may be able to get a flu vaccine at no cost through the Connecticut Vaccines for Adults program. Contact the participating site for eligibility and appointments.

A few habits help round out your protection: wash your hands often, stay home when you are sick, cover coughs and sneezes, and consider a well-fitting mask in crowded indoor spaces if you or someone at home is at higher risk.

Test Alarms and Generators Before You Need Them

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms only protect you if they work. The weekend the clocks change, Sunday, November 1, this year, is a good reminder to check everyone in your home.

Smoke alarms

  • Test each alarm monthly by pressing the test button.
  • Install alarms on every level of the home, including the basement, and in both indoor and outdoor sleeping areas.
  • Replace batteries when the clocks change if your alarms use replaceable batteries.
  • Replace the entire alarm after ten years. The manufacture date is printed on the back.

Carbon monoxide alarms

CO is an invisible, odorless gas produced by anything that burns fuel. Alarms are the only reliable way to detect it. The Connecticut DPH recommends placing CO alarms near all sleeping areas and on each floor, and replacing them about every five years because the sensors wear out. Check the label on yours, since replacement dates vary by manufacturer.

Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, and nausea, and they are easy to mistake for the flu. If several people in the household feel sick and then feel better when they leave the house, suspect CO. If an alarm sounds or you suspect poisoning, get everyone outside right away, then call 911 from outside. The Connecticut Poison Control Center is available at 1-800-222-1222.

Test your generator now, not during the storm

Power outages are when CO poisonings from generators most often occur, and the cause is almost always running the generator too close to or inside the home. Take an hour on a dry day to:

  • Run the generator outdoors for several minutes at a light load to make sure it starts and runs smoothly.
  • Check the oil, and replace fuel that has been sitting for months. Old gasoline can gum up the engine.
  • Inspect extension cords for cuts and frays. Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords rated higher than the total load you plan to connect.
  • Confirm you have working CO alarms with fresh batteries on every floor.

Using a generator safely

  • Always operate it outdoors, never in a garage, basement, shed, carport, or crawlspace, even with doors and windows open. Fans and open windows do not prevent CO from building up.
  • Keep it at least 20 feet from the house, and point the exhaust away from doors, windows, and vents.
  • Never plug a generator into a wall outlet to power your house wiring. This is called backfeeding. It can send electricity back onto the power lines and seriously injure utility workers. If you want to power household circuits, have a licensed electrician install a transfer switch.
  • Let it cool before refueling, and turn it off first. Gasoline spilled on hot parts can ignite.
  • Store fuel outdoors, in approved, labeled containers, away from living areas and fuel-burning appliances.
  • Keep it dry. If it rains or snows, shelter the generator under an open canopy-style cover on dry ground, never in an enclosed space.
  • Clear snow from around the generator exhaust, dryer vents, and car tailpipes during and after storms.

More guidance is available from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Have Your Heating System Checked 

Heating equipment is a leading source of both winter house fires and CO exposure, and the most common problems, such as blocked flues, cracked heat exchangers, and creosote buildup, are invisible to the untrained eye. The Connecticut DPH recommends having heating systems, chimney flues, gas appliances, wood stoves, and generators inspected every year and cleaned or serviced as needed by a qualified contractor. Book early, because technicians fill up quickly once the first cold snap arrives.

Furnaces and boilers

  • Schedule an annual tune-up with a licensed technician. Ask them to check the burner, heat exchanger, venting, and safety controls.
  • Look for warning signs: a yellow or flickering burner flame instead of a steady blue one, soot or rust around the unit, water pooling beneath the unit, or unusual smells or noises.
  • Check that the flue pipe and the outdoor intake and exhaust vents are intact and clear. After a snowfall, dig out outdoor vents so exhaust can escape.
  • If you heat with oil, make sure the tank is full enough for the cold months and that the lines and fittings show no leaks.

Chimneys, fireplaces, and wood stoves

  • Have the chimney inspected and cleaned each year. Creosote, a tar-like residue from burning wood, builds up inside the flue and can ignite. Birds' nests and debris can also block the flue, forcing smoke and CO into the house.
  • Use a sturdy screen in front of the fireplace, and burn only seasoned, dry hardwood. Never burn trash, treated lumber, or accelerants.
  • Place the ashes in a covered metal container and keep it outside, away from the house, garage, and anything that burns. Ashes can hold hot embers for days.

Space heaters and other supplemental heat

  • Choose a heater with an automatic shutoff that shuts off safely when tipped over, and look for a recognized safety certification such as UL.
  • Keep it at least three feet from furniture, bedding, curtains, and anything else that can burn.
  • Plug it directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip. Turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
  • Never use a gas oven, stovetop, or charcoal or propane grill to heat your home. These produce deadly levels of CO and should never be used indoors.
  • Kerosene and other fuel-burning heaters should only be used if they are made for indoor use, and with plenty of ventilation and a working CO alarm nearby.

If you rent, contact your landlord about heating inspections, working alarms, and any problems you notice. Connecticut residents who are struggling with heating costs may also be able to get help through local community action agencies or by calling 2-1-1.

Your Quick Fall Checklist

None of these steps takes long, and together they cut your household's risk of fire, CO poisoning, and serious respiratory illness this winter.

  • Get your flu shot, and talk with your provider about COVID-19 and RSV vaccines
  • Replace furnace filters and clean vents, registers, and the dryer vent
  • Test every smoke and CO alarm, and note any that are more than 10 years (smoke) or about 5 years (CO) old
  • Book your furnace, boiler, and chimney inspections
  • Test-run your generator outdoors, and stock safe fuel storage and heavy-duty cords
  • Check space heaters, cords, and clearances
  • Stock an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, medications, water, and nonperishable food

If you have questions about staying healthy this winter, your local health department and your health care provider are good places to start.

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Trying to Stay Healthy This Season? Think Layers

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MAN DRESSED IN LAYERS

No single step keeps you from getting sick this fall and winter, but several small ones stacked together make a real difference. Public health professionals call this layered protection, and it is the best way for families across our 11 towns to stay healthy through the respiratory illness season.

The CDC expects this season, which runs October through May, to look much like last year's. Its 2026-27 outlook projects combined hospitalizations from COVID-19, flu, and RSV to land within about 20 percent of 2025-26 levels. Flu is expected to be moderate, and COVID-19 and RSV typically peak in late December or early January. Last year's RSV peak came as late as February, so it pays to stay prepared well into the new year.

Think of each layer as a slice of Swiss cheese: every one has gaps, but stacked together, very little gets through. Here is what belongs in your stack.

Layer I: Vaccines for Flu, COVID-19, and RSV

Vaccination is the foundation. It will not always prevent an infection, but it greatly reduces your risk of ending up in the hospital.

Flu. The Connecticut Department of Public Health strongly recommends an annual flu shot for everyone six months and older. Children 8 and under who have never been vaccinated or whose vaccination history is unclear need two doses given at least 4 weeks apart. Adults 65 and older should ask for a high-dose or adjuvanted vaccine.

COVID-19. Updated vaccines are available for the 2026-27 season. Protection matters most for adults 65 and older, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and young children. Recommendations differ somewhat between health organizations this year, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what is right for you and your family.

RSV. This one is targeted. Adults 75 and older should get a single lifetime dose of the RSV vaccine, as should adults 50 to 74 with health conditions that increase their risk. Pregnant women can be vaccinated at 32 to 36 weeks, and infants under 8 months should be protected either by that maternal vaccine or by a long-acting antibody given to the baby.

Most people can get their flu and COVID-19 shots at the same visit, usually in different arms. Eligible adults can get the RSV vaccine at the same appointment, too. Earlier is better, since protection takes about two weeks to build, and the winter peak is only a few months away.

Layer II: Everyday Habits that Stop the Spread

These habits cost almost nothing and work against every respiratory virus, not just one.

  • Stay home when you are sick. Skip work, school, and gatherings until you have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine and your symptoms are clearly improving.
  • Wash your hands. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after being in public places. Hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol works when a sink is not available.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue or your elbow, not your hands.
  • Bring in fresh air. Open windows when the weather allows, run bathroom and kitchen fans, and consider a higher-efficiency furnace filter or portable air cleaner for shared rooms.
  • Clean high-touch surfaces. Doorknobs, phones, and counters are worth a regular wipe-down when someone in the household is ill.

Gatherings are a good example of layers working together. A holiday dinner with a vaccinated family, open windows, and a firm rule that anyone with symptoms stays home is far safer than any one of those measures alone.

Layer III: Masks, Testing, and Early Treatment

These tools matter most when risk is higher, whether because of your own health or the people around you.

Masks. A well-fitting mask, such as an N95 or KN95, is a smart choice in crowded indoor spaces, on public transit, in waiting rooms, and when caring for someone who is sick. Many people also mask when visiting older relatives or newborns during peak weeks.

Testing. If you have symptoms, test. A home COVID-19 test is quick, and knowing the result helps you decide whether to stay home and whether to call your doctor. If a first test is negative but you still feel sick, repeat it in a day or two.

Early treatment. Antiviral medicines for flu and COVID-19 work best when started soon after symptoms begin, and they are most important for adults 65 and older, people with chronic conditions, and anyone with a weakened immune system. Do not wait to see if you get worse. Call your provider at the first sign of illness and ask whether treatment is right for you.

Know the warning signs. Seek care right away for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, bluish lips, or a fever that will not come down. For infants, watch for poor feeding, fewer wet diapers, or unusual sleepiness.

Where to Find Protection

Start with one step: book your flu shot. Your doctor's office, local pharmacies, and community clinics all offer it. The state's 2026-27 clinic list shows dates, homebound services, and which vaccines each site carries. You can also search vaccinefinder.org for nearby pharmacies.

Cost should not stand in the way. Most insurance plans cover the flu shot, and Connecticut Vaccines for Adults provides vaccines for uninsured and underinsured adults at participating sites. Call ahead about eligibility and whether you need an appointment.

Then add a layer or two: set a household rule that sick people stay home, keep a few home COVID-19 tests on a shelf, and talk with your provider now about early treatment if you or a loved one is at higher risk. Protecting yourself also protects the neighbors who cannot easily protect themselves, including infants, older adults, and people with chronic illnesses.

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Mobile Health Team Offers In-Home Vaccination for Homebound Residents

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Flu season is here, and getting vaccinated is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself and the people around you. For some residents, though, getting to a vaccination clinic isn’t possible.

Our Mobile Health Team provides in-home flu vaccinations for homebound individuals. A nurse comes to your door, so there’s no transportation to arrange and no waiting room.

Older adults and people with chronic health conditions are more likely to become seriously ill from the flu. Those same residents are often the ones who have the hardest time leaving home. A yearly flu vaccine lowers the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. It also helps protect family members and caregivers who spend time with them.

Who this Service is for

This service is for residents who are homebound and unable to travel to a clinic. If you have a neighbor, parent, or friend in that situation, please pass this along. Many people who qualify don’t know the option exists, and a quick conversation could make a real difference for them.

How to Schedule a Visit

Call the Uncas Health District office at 860-823-1189, ext. 116, to schedule an appointment. You can also visit uncashd.org to learn more.

Flu season runs through the winter, but vaccination works best when it happens early. If you or someone you know needs this service, we encourage you to call soon.

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Keep Kids Safe from Lead: National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

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Lead poisoning is entirely preventable, and a few simple steps this fall can protect a child for life. National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week runs October 25–31, and this year's theme, "Keep Kids Safe from Lead," comes down to three actions: get the facts, get your child tested, and get your home tested.

Why does this matter close to home? Lead is a toxic metal that can harm a child's developing brain and body, and children under 6 are the most vulnerable. Many children who have been exposed show no symptoms at all, so a family can't count on spotting a problem by sight. Across the country, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that about 2.6 million households with young children have lead-based paint hazards. Our communities, many of which have older homes, are not exempt.

The Uncas Health District is marking the week by sharing what every parent, grandparent, caregiver, and landlord should know. Here is how to put each of the three messages to work.

Get the Facts

The most common source of lead exposure for children is paint. Homes built before 1978, when lead-based paint was banned for residential use, may still have it. Connecticut's own childhood lead surveillance data point the same way: deteriorated lead paint is the most common source found when the state investigates a child's home.

It usually isn't a child chewing on a painted wall. More often, old paint on windows, doors, and porches wears down into fine dust that settles on floors and sills. Babies and toddlers put their hands and toys in their mouths, and that dust goes with them. Lead can also be found in:

  • Soil near older buildings, especially around the foundation, where exterior paint has flaked away
  • Household dust, which can be stirred up by renovation, sanding, or opening and closing old windows
  • Drinking water, where older plumbing, lead service lines, or fixtures contain lead
  • Certain imported items, such as some traditional remedies, cosmetics, ceramics, and toys

The health effects are what make this worth acting on. Lead can affect learning, attention, and behavior, and the damage cannot be reversed. There is no known safe level of lead in a child's blood. That is why Connecticut lowered its blood lead reference value from 5 to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) on January 1, 2023, so more children are identified early, while there is still time to act.

Get Your Child Tested

A blood lead test is the only way to know whether a child has been exposed. Because most children with elevated lead levels look and act healthy, the test, not a checklist of symptoms, is what finds the problem.

Connecticut requires universal blood lead screening. According to the state's guidance for health care providers, children should be tested every year between 9 and 35 months of age. Children ages 36 to 72 months who have never been tested should be tested, as should older children at higher risk, including those enrolled in Medicaid or living in a town with elevated risk factors. Any child under 6 can be tested if a provider has a concern.

The test itself is quick. A nurse or doctor takes a small blood sample, often from a finger prick. If the result is at or above 3.5 mcg/dL, a second sample from a vein is drawn to confirm it, and the child is retested on a schedule until the level comes down. Results below 3.5 mcg/dL do not require follow-up testing, but it's a good time to talk with your provider about keeping the number low.

What to do next:

  • Ask at your child's next checkup whether a lead test is on file, especially around ages 1 and 2
  • If you aren't sure, call your pediatrician's office and ask for the date and result
  • If a test comes back elevated, follow your provider's retesting schedule and contact us. The health district works with the state and your provider to look for the source in the home

A higher-than-normal result is not a reason to panic. Families who find out early can remove the source, improve nutrition (foods with iron, calcium, and vitamin C help limit lead absorption), and keep a close watch on retests.

Get Your Home Tested

The quickest first check is the year your home was built. If it went up before 1978, it may contain lead-based paint, and the risk is highest where paint is chipping, peeling, or rubbing against itself, such as window frames, door jambs, stairs, and porches.

To find out for sure, hire a certified lead inspector or risk assessor, who can test paint, dust, and soil. Home test kits from a hardware store can be a starting point, but they can miss lead, so a professional result is the one to rely on. Drinking water is tested separately. Contact your public water supplier or a state-certified laboratory to ask about testing, particularly if you have older plumbing or a private well.

A few ground rules for homes that may have lead paint:

  • Don't sand, scrape, or burn off old paint yourself. It creates exactly the dust that harms children
  • For renovations or repairs in a pre-1978 home, hire a contractor certified in lead-safe work practices
  • Keep children and pregnant women out of the work area until it has been cleaned up properly
  • Renters and buyers have rights too: landlords and sellers of pre-1978 housing must disclose any known lead-based paint hazards

If testing finds lead, you have options that don't always mean a full gut job. Repairing peeling paint, covering surfaces, replacing worn windows, and thorough cleaning can all reduce the risk. A licensed lead abatement professional can advise on what makes sense for your home.

Steps You Can Take Today

While you wait for test results or schedule an inspection, everyday habits make a real difference:

  • Wash children's hands before meals, naps, and bedtime, and wash toys and pacifiers often
  • Wet-mop floors and wipe window sills and other flat surfaces with a damp cloth. Dry sweeping and vacuuming without a HEPA filter can spread dust
  • Take shoes off at the door so lead in soil stays outside
  • Run cold tap water for 30 seconds to two minutes before using it for drinking or cooking if the water has sat in the pipes for hours, and use only cold water for baby formula and cooking
  • Serve regular meals with iron, calcium, and vitamin C, which help the body absorb less lead
  • Check for recalls of children's products and avoid imported items, including some cosmetics, spices, and remedies, if you aren't sure what is in them

Where to Get Help

This week, pick one action: check your child's lead test record, look up the age of your home, or share this post with a neighbor who has young children. Each one is a small step toward a lead-safe community.

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Free Flu and COVID Vaccines for Kids at the Uncas Health District

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Flu season is here, and the Uncas Health District is making it easier for families to protect their children. Our nurses can give free flu and COVID vaccines to children ages 6 months to 18 years, right in our office.

Vaccines are among the simplest ways to keep kids healthy and limit the spread of illness in classrooms, daycares, and homes. Getting vaccinated now helps children stay in school and keeps them from passing illness to grandparents, newborns, and others who are more vulnerable.

To schedule an appointment, call the Uncas Health District office at 860-823-1189, ext. 116. You can also visit uncashd.org to learn more.

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Fire Prevention Week: Keeping Our Homes and Communities Safe

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Fire Prevention Week runs October 4 through 10 this year, and it is a good moment to ask a simple question: if a fire started in your home tonight, would everyone know what to do?

Fire Prevention is Serious Business

A home fire can grow from a spark to a life-threatening emergency in just a few minutes. That is why the best protection is the kind you put in place long before anything goes wrong: working smoke alarms, a practiced escape plan, and a few everyday habits that keep common hazards in check.

Fire Prevention Week is the longest-running public health observance in the United States, led each year by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and held during the week that marks the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This year's theme is "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower." It builds on last year's focus on lithium-ion batteries, the rechargeable batteries found in phones, laptops, tablets, e-bikes, scooters, and many other devices we rely on every day.

The everyday causes are familiar ones. The NFPA reports that cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries, and that unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. The U.S. Fire Administration also points out that batteries of all types can present fire dangers when they are not used, stored, or disposed of according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The encouraging news is that most home fires can be prevented, and the steps that make the biggest difference are simple. The sections below walk through what to do now to lower your risk, and what to do if the worst happens.

Preventing Fires in Your Home

Most of these habits take only a few minutes, and many cost nothing.

Install and maintain smoke alarms. The American Red Cross advises placing a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home. Test them monthly, replace batteries at least once a year, and replace the alarms themselves about every 10 years, since their sensitivity fades over time. A good reminder: check them when you change your clocks.

Stay with your cooking. Because unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires, never walk away from a stove or oven while it is on. If you have to leave the kitchen, even briefly, turn off the burner. Keep towels, paper, and pot holders away from the stovetop, and keep a lid nearby to smother a small pan fire.

Give heaters room. Keep space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves at least three feet from anything that can burn, such as curtains, bedding, and furniture. Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet rather than an extension cord, and turn them off when you leave the room or go to bed. Have your chimney and heating system inspected before the cold season is fully underway.

Charge devices safely. This year's Fire Prevention Week theme is a reminder that lithium-ion batteries deserve respect. The U.S. Fire Administration's battery fire safety guidance suggests the following:

  • Buy certified products and use the charger that came with the device.
  • Store spare batteries away from anything flammable, and out of direct sunlight or a hot vehicle.
  • Avoid charging at temperatures below 32°F or above 105°F.
  • Stop using a battery right away if you notice an odd smell, a change in color, too much heat, a change in shape, leaking, or strange noises.
  • Recycle old batteries at a proper collection site instead of throwing them in the trash.

Be careful with candles and smoking materials. Burn candles in a sturdy holder on a stable surface, keep them away from anything flammable, and blow them out before leaving the room or going to sleep. Consider flameless LED candles as a safer alternative. If anyone in your home smokes, do it outside and use a deep, sturdy ashtray.

Keep electrical systems in good shape. Replace frayed or damaged cords, avoid overloading outlets and power strips, and have an electrician look at any outlet that sparks, feels warm, or repeatedly trips a breaker.

Keep fire extinguishers on hand. A small extinguisher in the kitchen and one on each level of the home can stop a very small fire, provided everyone knows how to use it and no one puts themselves at risk to do so.

Make a plan, and practice it. Fire prevention and fire escape go hand in hand. The Red Cross recommends that every household identify at least two ways out of every room, choose a meeting place outside, and practice the plan at least twice a year.

What to Do if a Fire Starts

In a real fire, there is very little time to think, so the goal is for these steps to feel automatic.

  1. Get out first. Leave immediately and do not stop to gather belongings, pets, or valuables. Help others who need assistance only if you can do so without putting yourself in danger.
  2. Stay low in the smoke. If smoke fills the room, crawl low under the smoke, where the air is cleaner.
  3. Check doors before opening them. Use the back of your hand to feel a closed door. If it is warm, do not open it; use your second way out.
  4. Close doors behind you. A closed door can slow the spread of fire and smoke, giving everyone more time to escape.
  5. Meet at your outdoor meeting place. Once everyone is out, count heads, so firefighters know right away whether anyone is still inside.
  6. Call 911 from outside. Give your address and tell the dispatcher if anyone is missing. Never go back inside for any reason. Firefighters have the equipment and training to search safely.

If you are trapped, close the door between you and the fire, place a towel or clothing along the bottom to block smoke, open a window if possible, and signal for help from the window with a flashlight or bright cloth. Call 911 and tell them exactly where you are. The Red Cross offers more guidance on this situation.

If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands, and roll over and over to smother the flames. Cool the burn with running water for several minutes, then seek medical care.

If a battery or device overheats, stop using it if it is safe to do so, move away, and call 911 if you see smoke, flames, or swelling. The U.S. Fire Administration's "Get out quickly" advice applies here: do not try to fight a battery fire yourself.

After the fire, wait for the fire department to say it is safe before going back inside. The American Red Cross can help families with immediate needs after a fire, such as temporary housing and food. Contact your insurance provider as soon as you are able.

Take One Step This Week

You do not need to do everything at once. This week, press the test button on every smoke alarm, walk your family through your escape plan, and check where your phones, tablets, and e-bikes are charging overnight. Each of these takes only a few minutes, and together they make your home meaningfully safer.

Your local fire department is also a valuable resource. Many departments in our communities offer home safety information, smoke alarm guidance, and community events during Fire Prevention Week, so contact them to learn what is available near you.

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