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Summer Health Dangersl

Summer brings rising temperatures and humidity, hear are some precautions to avoid dangerous health consequences such as heat exhaustion and, heat stroke and overexposure to the skin.  The most susceptible to heat exhaustion and stroke are children, seniors and persons with a disability.   The early symptoms of heat exhaustions are a feeling of lightheadedness, weakness and nausea.  Serious problems arise when the warning signs are ignored.  Dehydration is the primary cause of heat exhaustion along with the loss of electrolytes (sodium).  Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, stay away from too much coffee as it is a diuretic.  Drink even if you are not thirsty.  The major symptoms of heat exhaustion and stroke are:

• Body temperature usually normal or slightly elevated
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue, weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea and sometimes vomiting
• Weak and rapid pulse
• Sweating
• Cool, clammy, pale skin

Symptoms of heat exhaustion and stroke may take several hours to develop after dehydration occurs.

Treatments for heat exhaustion:

• Get out of the sun and go into a cool place
• Drink plenty of fluids (sport drinks may help with the electrolytes)
• Eat salty snacks
• Rest and loosen clothes

Heat stroke may develop after heat exhaustion, but can also develop independent if one's core body temperature rises too high.

Symptoms of heat stroke:

• Very high body temperature (103 degrees or higher)
• Skin that is hot to the touch, dry or red
• Lack of perspiration
• Disoriented, delirious or hallucinating
• Rapid pulse and breathing followed by shallow breathing and weak pulse
• Convulsions
• Loss of consciousness

Heat Stroke is a medical emergency.  You need to call 911 right away.

Food Safety during a power outage:

• Keep the freezer door closed: A full freezer will stay at freezing temperatures about 2 days; a half-full freezer will stay at freezing temperatures about 1 day.  If the freezer is not full, group packages so they form an igloo to protect each other.
• Even if food as started to thaw, some foods can be safely kept.  The foods in the freezer that partially or completely thaw before the power is restored may be safely refrozen if they still contain ice crystals or are 40 degrees F or below.  Evaluate each item separately.  Be very careful with meat and poultry products or any food containing milk, cream, sour cream or soft cheese.  Never taste the food to determine if it is safe.  When in doubt, throw it out.
• In general, refrigerated items should be safe as long as the power is out no more than 4 hours.  Keep the refrigerator door closed as much as possible.  Discard any perishable foods (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been above 40 degrees F for 2 hours or more and any item that has an unusual odor, color or texture or feels warm to the touch.
• The key to determining the safety of foods in the refrigerator and freezer is knowing how cold they are.  The refrigerator temperature should be 40 degrees F. or below; the freezer, 0 degrees F. or below.

For more information, visit www.bergenhealth.org

The Board of Health provides free blood pressure screening and health consultations for all residents at Borough Hall on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Blood pressure screenings for Seniors will be on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at the Community Center, 453 Broadway from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.

The Board of Health Secretary, Joan Mullane is also the Registrar of Vital Statistics.  Requests for Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates should be directed to her.  Marriage license and Domestic Partnership applications are done by appointment only.  Mrs. Mullane may be reached at 201 767-7204 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. till 4:00 p.m.

MARRIAGE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Female must be a resident of the Borough of Norwood and over the age of 18.  A witness who knows both parties and is over 18 is required to be present at the time the application is taken

• Proof of Identification (i.e. Drivers License and Birth Certificate or passport)

• Certified copy of legal paperwork (i.e. widowed, divorces or annulled)

• Must know Father's name and place of birth

• Must know Mother's maiden name and place of birth

• The address and phone number of either party where they can be reached prior to the marriage

• The address and phone number where the couple can be reached after the wedding

• Location where couple is to married

• 72 hour waiting period is required on all applications from the tome of initial application until the license is picked up

• Marriage license is valid for 30 days from date of issuance

• Fee is $28.00 payable by cash or check