🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's that time of year again! St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with your family? Whether you're Irish or not, this holiday is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones and create lasting memories. Dress up in green and head out to a local parade or other festivities, or stay in and cook a delicious meal with your family that includes green foods. Green fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and help maintain a healthy diet. Consider these foods this St. Patrick's Day and go green:

• Make a tossed lettuce salad. Add more green with green peppers.
• Try corned beef with cabbage — a natural for St. Patrick's Day.
• Enjoy kiwi, green grapes, or honeydew melon as a snack.
• Add avocado slices to sandwiches.
• Pair your favorite veggie dip with broccoli florets or a favorite fruit dip with green apple slices.
• Make a vegetable pizza with green peppers and spinach.
• Serve sliced green onions over rice, pasta, fish, or soups.

With a little creativity and some smart choices, you and your family can celebrate St. Patrick's Day in a way that's both fun and healthy. Sláinte!

💝 Parents in Recovery Report

A socially connected community is a place where everyone feels like they belong. It’s a place where people know their neighbors and feel motivated to get involved, build relationships, and contribute to the creation of strong social networks. And keeping our community and its people connected to each other and community resources plays a vital role in preventing and fighting substance use.

In 2018, the Winnebago County Community Health Survey indicated that people with mental health and substance use disorders experienced lower levels of social support than adults without these challenges. This led to the 2021 Report on Connection & Belonging: Voices of People in Recovery, which was shared with the community. The listening sessions were held with members of the recovery community to learn how connection, belonging, and support impact the recovery journey. From these sessions, participants defined social connectedness as the presence of strong relationships, a sense of belonging, and meaningful contribution.

The newest report, Connection & Belonging: Voices of Parents in Recovery, reinforces, expands upon, and brings forth additional layers parents in recovery face. This report was originally intended to look at what connects parents in recovery and what promotes their sense of belonging. Throughout the listening sessions, it became apparent that a significant contributor to the isolation felt by many, stemmed from the gaps in services and supports in the community - for both parents and their children.

Have questions? Contact Maddie Breager, Community Health Strategist, via email.

Read the Connection & Belonging: Voices of Parents in Recovery Report here.

☠️ Poisoning Prevention Week

Each year, more than 2 million poisonings are reported to the nation’s poison control centers. This year National Poisoning Prevention Week runs March 17 to 23 and we want you and your family to stay safe and healthy. With a few simple precautions, you can avoid accidental poisoning. Here are some tips to help you protect yourself and your loved ones:

• Keep all medications, cleaning products, and other potentially hazardous substances out of reach of children and pets. Consider locking them away in a cabinet or closet.
• Always read the labels and follow the instructions carefully. Don't mix chemicals or medications unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
• Stay informed about potential hazards in your home and workplace. Check for recalls and safety alerts regularly.
• If you suspect someone has been poisoned, call the Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222. Don't wait for symptoms to appear.

Additional Information

• America's Poison Centers
• Online Poison Help
• Health Resources & Services Administration Poison Information

💧 Spring Well Maintenance

Snow melt runoff can cause salt, sand, and sediment to be drawn down in the water table. That's why spring is the best time to have your private well(s) tested. Proper maintenance of wells is important; wells that are not well maintained can lead to contamination and pollution of groundwater, which can have severe consequences for our health and the environment.

Regular well maintenance helps to prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. It also ensures that the well is functioning correctly, minimizing the risk of leaks and spills that can pollute the groundwater. These steps will help protect your system and investment:

• An annual well maintenance check, including a bacterial test, is recommended, but drinking water should be checked any time there is a change in taste, odor, or appearance, or when the well system is serviced.
• Keep hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides, and motor oil far away from your well.
• Periodically check the well cover or well cap on top of the casing (well) to ensure it is in good repair.
• When landscaping, keep the top of your well at least one foot above the ground. Slope the ground away from your well for proper drainage.
• Take care in working or mowing around your well. A damaged casing could jeopardize the sanitary protection of your well. Don’t pile snow, leaves, or other materials around your well.
• Be aware of changes in your well, the area around your well, or the water it provides.

Additional Information

• Well Maintenance and Care Information from WCPH
• Private Well Information from DHS
• Well Information from the DNR

Winnebago County Public Health recommends to have your well tested for arsenic. If your well tests above the health standard of 10 parts per billion (ppb), corrective measures should be considered depending on the level of contamination. If your well has been found to have arsenic near the health standard, it is recommended to test your well routinely to monitor the levels. Additionally, if the environment around your well has had some changes, such as nearby construction, it is recommended to have your well tested for arsenic. Contact us with questions regarding arsenic at 920-232-3000 or email [email protected] .

😴 Good Night, Sleep Tight

Sleep Awareness Week is March 10 to 16 and this week reminds us to ask "Am I getting enough sleep?". Sleep is essential for maintaining good health and well-being and getting enough sleep is just as important as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. It affects every aspect of our lives, including our physical and mental health, productivity, and overall quality of life. In today's fast-paced world, it can be tempting to sacrifice sleep to meet the demands of work or school and our family and social life. Sleep helps our bodies to repair and rejuvenate, which is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system, reducing the risk of chronic diseases, and improving our mental health. Lack of sleep can lead to a range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and depression.

In addition to its physical benefits, sleep is also vital for our mental health. It helps to regulate our emotions, improve our concentration, and boost our creativity. Getting enough sleep can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which are common mental health problems that affect many people.

To ensure that you get enough sleep, it is essential to establish good sleep habits. This includes:

• Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule.
• Creating a relaxing bedtime routine.
• Avoiding caffeine and electronics before bed.
• Making sure your sleep environment is comfortable and quiet.

By prioritizing sleep, you can improve your health and well-being and enjoy all the benefits that come with getting a good night's rest.

Additional Information

• Why is Sleep Important?
• Sleep Information from the CDC
• Get Enough Sleep

Providing a safe sleep environment for our children is also a part of healthy sleep and preventing SIDS in babies. Babies should always be placed on their back to sleep, on a firm and flat surface, and in a separate sleep area. Other safe sleep practices include avoid keeping soft objects and loose bedding out of the baby's sleep area and ensuring that the baby does not overheat while sleeping.

Have questions? Winnebago County Public Health provides resources about safe sleep as well as safe sleep environments. Call us at 920-232-3000 or email [email protected] to get more information.

Don't forget to turn those clocks forward on Sunday, March 10, for Daylight Saving Time. It's also the perfect time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors lower your chance of dying in a house fire by 40-50% and should be installed on all levels of your home, including basements and attics. Carbon monoxide is the most common cause of deadly poisonings. Wisconsin State law requires carbon monoxide detectors to be placed on each floor level in all Wisconsin homes.

Need help getting a carbon monoxide detector installed in your home? Project SAFE provides FREE carbon monoxide detectors to residents of the City of Oshkosh. The Oshkosh Fire Department will ensure the detector is properly installed and all batteries are replaced. Please call 920-236-5249 today to set up an appointment.

Need help getting a smoke detector installed in your home? The Oshkosh Fire Department (OFD) and Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue (NMFR) install smoke detectors for those eligible. Please call OFD at 920-236-5249 and NMFR at 920-886-6200 today to set up an appointment. If you live outside of these areas, contact your local fire department to ask about installation.

😷 Respiratory Illness Season

Winter weather may be behind us, but respiratory illness season is still here! Protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu, COVID, and RSV by keeping up-to-date on your vaccinations. Vaccines provide safe and effective protection against severe illnesses and help us prevent the spread of diseases.

Most vaccines are FREE!

• Call your healthcare provider, pharmacy, or visit vaccines.gov to find vaccination locations near you.
• Need additional help finding vaccines or don't have insurance? Dial 211 or text your zip code to 898211.
• Still have questions about finding a vaccination location? Call us at 920-232-3000.

If you have older at-home test kits, check the expiration dates as most have been extended. Find more information here: wchd.pub/testkitexpiration. Additional information about testing can be found on the DHS website.

💪🏼 New Tai Chi Class Starting!

Tai Chi is a low-impact exercise involving gentle movements, poses and coordinated breathing. It's proven to reduce the fear and risk of falling by improving balance, stability and strength. These classes can be adapted for people using walkers, canes or wheelchairs.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 9 to May 16

Where: George Scherck Shelter (1175 Appleblossom Dr, Neenah)

Time: Beginner 10-11 am; Intermediate 11:15 am-12:15 pm

To register, call Neenah Park and Rec at 920-886-6060.

🍀 The Great Leprechaun Lucky Sock Hunt

The leprechaun's luck is about to run out and he needs your help to find his lucky socks. Gather your family and friends and head over to the leprechaun's favorite hangout, Ken Robl Conservation Park. Find a sock? Snap a selfie and send it to [email protected]. May the luck of the Irish be with you as you follow the clues to find his lucky socks. If you do, you could win your very own pair of lucky socks!

Date/Time: Daily, throughout March

Location: Ken Robl Conservation Park

🥚 After Dark Eggs in the Park

This isn't your traditional egg hunt... This is a glow-in-the-dark eggstravaganza for kids and adults! The event will kick off with a Bunny Hop followed by a nighttime egg hunt with thousands of glowing eggs! The Easter Bunny will be hopping around and eager to take photos. Everyone is encouraged to wear glow-in-the-dark items.

The glow-in-the-dark egg hunt will go off in waves of varying age groups. Kids must be accompanied by adults. Prize giveaways for kids and adults will be available for those who find the super special eggs!

Date/Time: Friday, March 22 starting at 7 pm

Location: Soccer Shelter at Winnebago County Community Park

Registration Required! Stop by the Winnebago County Parks Department (625 E County Rd Y, Oshkosh) during normal business hours. There are a limited number of spots available. Registration is first come, first served until all spaces are full.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Parent Resource Hours

Stop by during Parent Resource Hours for information on developmental screenings, safe sleep, breastfeeding support, nursing expertise, health, and community resources. Please go online or call ahead at 920-232-3000 to schedule an appointment if you're interested in a car seat check, immunizations, or lead screening.

Thursday, March 28

11 am - 2 pm

Neenah Office, 211 N Commercial St

Tuesday, April 9

1 - 4 pm

Oshkosh Office, 112 Otter Ave

Click on the flyers to download and share. Contact us to request additional languages.

Mission: Winnebago County Public Health protects and promotes health through services, partnerships, and equitable practices and policies so all can live their best life. 

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Find a copy of this newsletter on our website.

Winnebago County Public Health

www.winnebagopublichealth.org

[email protected]

920-232-3000

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