Good Idea to get Immunized for Measles

With the recent measles outbreak in Clark County, Dr. Wood, the Thurston County Health Officer reminds us to: Get the facts about measles, then be sure you’re immunized.

Learn More About Thurston County Syringe Services

The Syringe Services Program provides many community benefits:

• Minimize disease transmission
• Provide harm reduction services
• Provide case management and linkage to treatment
• Provide referral to services and supports
• Provide resources for opioid overdose response and naloxone administration

In fact, the bottom line for this program is that it means more people are alive and in recovery. 

Learn more here:
http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/11/29/what-you-should-know-about-the-thurston-county-syringe-services-program/

Men's Health is Important Year Round

Even when it's not "Movember" it's important for men to take care of their health. Learn more about "Movember" and health issues that affect men from the Thurston County Health Officer: 

https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article222831555.html  

Then check out this great video encouraging men to be men "of more words" from https://us.movember.com/ 

Colder Weather Doesn't Have to Mean No Exercise

Is the cold weather getting you down?  Are you stuck in the house with your family trying not to get on each other's nerves because you think it's just too cold to go outside.  Here are some tips on becoming more active as a family:

https://choosemyplate-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/tentips/DGTipsheet29BeAnActiveFamily.pdf 

Water Quality is Important to All of Us

Whether we think about it very often or not, water quality is an essential part of every person’s life. Clean drinking water is necessary to live! Healthy rivers, streams and Puget Sound are important for local wildlife AND essential for our local economy; whether focused on shellfish harvesting, navigable waterways, or tourism. Most of us have a favorite park, river or beach spot where we take our loved ones or go to gather our thoughts and recreate. Healthy water quality is an important part of our overall health as people, and as a community. It’s also one reason why so many of us are grateful to live in this beautiful, water-rich region! Learn more about what you can do to protect water quality in the Thurston Talk article below:

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/11/07/what-can-you-do-to-improve-local-water-quality/

Thurston County Pilots Infant at Work Program

On Tuesday, September 18, the Thurston County Board of Commissionersunanimously approved a one-year, pilot Infant at Work project at the Public Health and Social Service’s (PHSS) Department on Lilly Road. Employees will have the opportunity to bring infants aged six weeks to six months to work beginning this week. PHSS was chosen as the department for the pilot because it has a health-oriented mission and building infrastructure that supports this project. Learn more about the program by reading the Thurston Talk article at the link below:


http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/09/27/thurston-county-pilots-infant-at-work-program/

Learn more about Thurston County's Nurse Family Partnership Program

Parenting is hard. Even when you have lots of help, and tons of resources at your disposal, it’s a tough road. Becoming a mother for the first time is harder still—and first-time moms without the resources and resiliency they need have it hardest of all. The Thurston-Mason-Lewis Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program is dedicated to building relationships between experienced nurses and new mothers who are experiencing multiple challenges. Learn more by following this link:

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/09/19/nurse-family-partnership-program-yields-positive-results/

Health Matters -- Physical Activity is the Key

Physical activity can make a big difference to your health. Learn more from a recent Health Matters column. 



https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article220711850.html

Learn More About Domestic Violence

Thurston County's Health Officer, Dr. Rachel Wood, shares more information about Domestic Violence in this week's Health Matters column in The Olympian. 

https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article219969325.html 

Nurse Family Partnerships Benefit New Mom, Babies, and Families Too

Thurston County's Nurse Family Partnership Program is a three-county partnership that matches new mothers with nurses who can provide guidance and resources. Read more about it in the latest article in Thurston Talk. 

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/09/19/nurse-family-partnership-program-yields-positive-results/ 

Did You Know Thurston County Parks Are Tobacco and Vape Free?

It's true! Smoking and vapign are no longer allowed in County Parks, Preserves, or on Trails. According to the County ordinance, there are lots of good reasons for taking this step, including:

• Helps prevent exposure of residents to secondhand smoke and vapor.
• Creates a safer and healthier environment for park users, including children and youth.
• Protects children’s health by reducing their exposure to smoking and vaping.
• Supports park users who may be trying to quit smoking.
• Protects against fire and environmental impacts of littering.
• Is consistent with state and regional goal of eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke and vapor.
• Furthers the County’s mission by supporting healthy activity and preventing secondhand smoke or vapor impacts to the many users of these public spaces.

You can read more  in this article in Thurston Talk:

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/08/15/thurston-county-passes-tobacco-free-parks-ordinance/ 

Getting Rid of Unwanted or Expired Medicine

Many of us have unneeded, unwanted and expired medications in our bathrooms, cupboards, and nightstands. We know that there is something that we are supposed to do with it…it can’t go into the trash and certainly shouldn’t go down the drain or into the toilet, so what are our options?

There are 7 locations in Thurston County to take unwanted medications for FREE DISPOSAL! Keep medicines out of the landfill and protect our drinking water by disposing of unwanted medications at one of these locations:

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office

2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, Bldg. 3, Olympia

Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

Lacey Police Department

420 College St. SE, Lacey

Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

Rainier City Hall

102 Rochester St. W, Rainier

Open Mon-Thurs, 8am-5pm

Tenino Police Department

358 McClellan St. SE, Tenino

Open Mon-Fri, 7:30am-4pm

Tumwater Police Department

555 Israel Rd. SW, Tumwater

Open Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

Yelm Police Department

206 McKenzie Ave. SE, Yelm

Open Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

Olympia Walgreens

1510 Cooper Point Rd. SW, Olympia

Open 7am - 9pm

Drop boxes accept prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, pet medicine, medicated ointments and lotions, inhalers and liquid medicines in a leak-proof container. NO used needles, gloves, vitamins, supplements or business waste accepted.

Contact us at 360-866-2674 or johnsoj@co.thurston.wa.us with any questions or for more information.

Whatever Your Age--Move Your Body For Better Health!

Our bodies are meant to move!  Sitting too much is risky business.  Daily movement improves health and fitness, and fights chronic disease.  Just how much physical activity do I need?

https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/index.htm

Wildfire Smoke and Your Health

The threat of wildfires grows during the heat of summer. A new Health Matters column in The Olympian offers some ways to be prepared this year, for the potential health impacts of wildfire smoke:

https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article21447933

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Thurston County Medical Equipment Bank Available To The Public

Did you know that Thurston County has a medical equipment bank that's open to the public? It's true! Anyone who needs medical equipment (that the bank has available) can borrow it for FREE for as long as they need it. Just return it when you're done. They also take donations of medical equipment. Some examples of equipment carried by the Thurston County Medical Equipment Bank are:

Wheelchairs Portable Commodes Transfer Benches Shower Benches Walkers Hospital Beds Crutches Canes C-Pap machines SO much more!

Got Picky Eaters?

Want your little eaters to  try more new foods?  Roll up their sleeves and let them help you in the kitchen.  Open their world to a lifetime of self-sufficiency and nutritious foods! 

https://www.eatright.org/food/planning-and-prep/cooking-tips-and-trends/toddler-and-preschooler-tasks-in-the-kitchen

Restaurant Inspections And How To Use Them

Ever wondered what those restaurant inspections by Thurston County Public Health and Social Services really mean--or if you should eat at those restaurants? Well, here's some more information that you can use to make those decisions. 

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/05/08/thurston-county-public-health-restaurant-inspection-reports-and-how-to-use-them/ 

Tobacco Products Might Look Different--But They Are Still Unsafe

Get your business on the new Healthy Homes Vendor List!

Thurston County Healthy Homes Program is creating a new Healthy Homes Vendor List that Thurston County Public Health & Social Services will make available to the public. The list will include home repair and home improvement services like general contracting, pest control, roofing, home inspection, home renovation, weatherization, mold remediation, electrical, and heating, ventilation, & cooling.

To qualify for the list, the company’s staff member(s) in charge of training must take the Healthy Homes Class and professionals must be licensed/registered, bonded, and insured.

Register for one of the upcoming classes!

·         Saturday June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

·         Friday June 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lunch is included!

Class Location: Thurston County Public Health 412 Lilly Rd. NE Olympia, WA.

To register call (360) 867-2674 or email HealthyHomes@co.thurston.wa.us. For more information, view the flyer.

Spring Cleaning: To Bleach or not to Bleach?

In general, bleach isn’t needed for regular cleaning at home. A combination of regular cleaning with soap and water and washing hands six or more times per day with soap (and a good 30 seconds of scrubbing) will do a great job of preventing the spread of illness. Sanitizing, decreases the number of germs on a surface and helps to prevent illness. Sanitizing can be done occasionally in the kitchen and common areas with a bleach solution. Disinfecting, or killing germs, is only necessary when someone in your household has a highly contagious illness and when a mess includes blood, urine, feces, or vomit.

When using any household cleaning product, read the label completely before use. Most products that contain bleach will instruct you to clean a surface with soap and water before applying and let the surface air dry. These steps are necessary for the product to be effective. Be sure to follow the safety precautions included on the label to reduce risks of harmful exposures.

When using plain bleach for cleaning, there are four important steps. If you’re not using bleach correctly you won’t get the sanitizing or disinfection results that you want (and paid for!) and you are needlessly exposing yourself and your household to a hazardous substance.

1.  Identify bleach concentration

·  Find the percentage of sodium hypochlorate. The concentration has become stronger over the years. Choose 8.25% or lower if available. Avoid scented and splash-less bleach. Scented bleach has added chemicals that can make the bleach more allergenic. Splash-less bleach is a thicker consistency, but a lower percentage of sodium hypochlorate – it’s not strong enough to sanitize and disinfect. 

2. Mix

·  Mix a small amount on the day you plan to use it. Pour the correct ratio of cool water first and then add the bleach.

Never mix bleach with other cleaning products, disinfectants, or ammonia. Mixing these may release poisonous gases into the air.

3. Clean

·  Clean surfaces with soap and water and rinse. It’s important to remove visible dirt and grime before using a bleach solution.

4. Sanitize or Disinfect

Choose a sanitizing solution for kitchens and toys children might put in their mouths and disinfecting solution for surfaces that can be contaminated with human waste like in bathrooms and diaper changing surfaces. To prevent foodborne illness, use soap and water to clean kitchen surfaces and follow food safety guidelines.

· 

   Wet the entire surface with the bleach solution and let air dry. If the area is needed sooner, wait at least two minutes before wiping dry.

You can find a bottle of bleach and bleach-containing cleaning products in most homes. For many people, it’s not really clean unless there is bleach involved. Green cleaning methods work great for most messes, bleach is useful for the next time you have to clean up a mess that includes blood, urine, feces, or vomit. Sorry to end this blog post with the word “vomit”.