Safe Food, Safe Water, Safe Huron
Huron County – Do you ever eat at a restaurant, swim in a pool, drink tap water or enjoy smoke-free arenas? These are just some of the things Public Health Inspectors ensure are safe for residents of Huron County.
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January 18 to 24 is Environmental Public Health Week. The Huron County Health Unit is highlighting the role of Public Health Inspectors in Huron County.
Public Health Manager Paul Dawson says Public Health Inspectors educate, investigate, and enforce the laws that protect people from unsafe food, unsafe water, rabies and health hazards. “Much of what we do is invisible to the public, but it’s all about protecting the health of Huron County residents. We are involved in such a diverse range of issues, from mould in buildings to rabies investigations. Public Health Inspectors also play a critical role in investigations of outbreaks such as E.coli or listeria, or outbreaks in long-term care facilities.”
Dawson says people in Huron County are great to work with and are mostly willing to comply with public health requirements. “We are more educators than enforcers. Although legislation can be used if necessary, the legal route is rarely needed. We have a strong rapport with people who operate pools, restaurants and long-term care facilities.”
The Huron County Health Unit has nine Public Health Inspectors, who are all accredited by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors.
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Creating Healthy Communities Together
You deserve access to clean, safe drinking water that does not pose a risk to your health.If you don't get your water from a private well, odds are your water is supplied by a municipal or private regulated drinking water system. Public Health Inspectors are working diligently - today, during Environmental Public Health Week, and all year long - to ensure drinking water in all public water systems is treated properly AND tested regularly so that it is safe to drink. You assume your drinking water is safe to drink... Public Health Inspectors make sure. Have you ever eaten at a restaurant or shopped at a grocery store?Public Health Inspectors take the worry out of using these facilities by enforcing the laws that protect our health - today, during Environmental Public Health Week, and all year long. Public Health Inspectors protect our health in grocery stores, restaurants and other places where food is sold and served through regular inspections, education and enforcement. You assume the food you eat in these facilities is safe... our Public Health Inspectors make sure. What would you do if you found asbestos in your ceiling or mould in your basement?Where would you go if you were forced to leave your community due to flooding? Who would you call if there was illness in your family due to carbon monoxide poisoning? Public Health Inspectors are working around the clock to investigate, educate and enforce the laws that protect you from these and other Health Hazards - today, during Environmental Public Health Week, and all year long. You assume your environment is free of health hazards... Public Health Inspectors make sure. Have you ever enjoyed a walk in the woods? You probably knew you should wear insect repellant.Public Health Inspectors educate about precautions to take to avoid getting diseases from animals and insects. Public Health Inspectors monitor for the presence of vector-borne disease such as Lyme Disease in ticks and West Nile Virus in mosquitoes. Public Health Inspectors educate and monitor vector-borne diseases to protect our health - today, during Environmental Public Health Week, and all year long. You assume you and your family will be protected …Public Health Inspectors make sure. Do you or your children swim at public beaches and pools? Do you enjoy fun on waterslides or relaxing in spas?Public Health Inspectors take the worry out of using these recreational facilities by sampling recreational water at beaches and inspecting public swimming pools - today, during Environmental Public Health Week, and all year long. You assume public pools and beaches are safe for bathing…Public Health Inspectors make sure.
Have you ever enjoyed being in a smoke-free restaurant or arena? Public Health Inspectors take the worry out of the dangers of second-hand smoke by enforcing the laws that protect our health - today, during Environmental Public Health Week, and all year long. Public Health Inspectors ensure the Smoke Free Ontario Act is in effect in public places through regular inspections, education and enforcement. You assume you and your family will be protected from second-hand smoke…our Public Health Inspectors make sure. What would you do if your family dog was attacked by a vicious raccoon? Where would you spend the night if you found a bat in the upstairs bedroom? Who would you call if you found an orphaned raccoon? What if you suspected exposure to rabies? Public Health Inspectors provide public education on rabies, a deadly disease that is preventable. Public Health Inspectors work cooperatively with other health care providers to investigate possible exposures to rabies and ensure access to anti-rabies treatment - today, during Environmental Public Health Week, and all year long. You assume you are protected from rabies…Public Health Inspectors make sure. Have you ever had kids in day care? Or do you know someone who’s been in a hospital or nursing home?Public Health Inspectors take the worry out of using these facilities by enforcing the laws that protect your health - today, during Environmental Public Health Week, and all year long. Public Health Inspectors are available around the clock to investigate causes of outbreaks of illness caused by E. coli or Norovirus or Legionella and help to ensure such diseases do not spread to others. You assume these facilities are safe…Public Health Inspectors make sure.
TO FIND OUT MORE...
Our media contact is: Barbara Leavitt, Communications Co-ordinator, 519-482-3416 ext. 2289.
Our spokesperson is: Paul Dawson, Public Health Manager. |
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