Cold Weather Safety
Forecasts have indicated colder weather moving through our area that will yield temperatures that can be dangerous after long periods of exposure, if proper precautions are not taken. Some of the dangers associated with winter weather include hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning and injuries from heat sources.
A danger of extreme cold is frostbite. Frostbite is the freezing and subsequent destruction of body tissue. The areas most likely to freeze are toes, fingers, ears, cheeks and the tip of the nose.
To protect yourself and your family in cold weather follow the below tips:
• Cover your head. You lose as much as 50 percent of your body heat through your head.
• Wear several layers of lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. The air between the layers acts as insulation to keep you warmer.
• Wear mittens rather than fingered gloves. The close contact of fingers helps keep your hands warm.
• Wear warm leg coverings and heavy socks, or two pairs of lightweight socks.
• Be alert to other common winter hazards, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and injuries from heat sources. CO is produced by small gasoline engines, stoves, generators, lanterns and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal and wood. This colorless, odorless gas can cause severe illness and death. Go to www.cdc.gov/features/copoisoning for CO poisoning prevention tips
• Do not forget about pets. The American Veterinary Medical Association has great tips for all of our four-legged family members. Visit www.avma.org for more.
• Vehicles should contain items such as heavy blankets, water, nonperishable food, a flashlight and a snow shovel. More information about cold weather preparedness may be found at: emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter
If you are in need of shelter, call Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center at 410-531-6677.
Warming Centers will be available during normal operations at County 50+ Centers, Public Libraries, County Community Centers and the Mall in Columbia.
Click here for a list of locations and times of operation.
January is National Radon Action Month
You can’t see, smell or taste radon, but it could be present at a dangerous level in your home. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America and claims the lives of about 21,000 Americans each year. In fact, the EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General urge all Americans to protect their health by testing their homes for radon.
Exposure to radon is a preventable health risk and testing radon levels in your home can help prevent unnecessary exposure. If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix the problem to protect yourself and your family.
CLICK HERE to read more.
Seasonal Flu Clinics
Walk-In hours. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday clinics are 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Howard County Health Department
8930 Stanford Blvd.
Columbia, MD 21045
More clinics:
January 22, 2019
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Savage Library
9525 Durness Ln.
Laurel, MD 20723
January 29, 2019
3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Elkridge Library
6540 Washington Blvd.
Elkridge, MD 21075
Lead Information & Resources
Visit the following Health Department pages:
The Doctor Is In - Episode Two - Teen Mental Health & Suicide
The second episode of the Health Department podcast, The Doctor Is In is now available on Howard Community College’s Dragon Digital Radio. This episode explores teen mental health and suicide. In Howard County, from 2014-2016, suicide was the number one cause of death for teens age 15-19. In this podcast, we'll talk to the mother of a Howard County girl who died by suicide and to the lead clinician from Grassroots' Mobile Crisis Team about teen mental health, suicide and resources available to help. You can hear all of the episodes of The Doctor Is In at: https://dragondigitalradio.podbean.com/category/the-doctor-is-in
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The Bonavitacola Family shares their experience with opioid overdose and how it can happen in any family.