Sharon Health Department Journal

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Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors, but it's also important to protect yourself from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Overexposure to UV radiation can increase the risk of sunburn, premature skin aging, eye damage, and skin cancer - the most common cancer in the United States.

Stay safe this summer by:

• Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapplying every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating.
• Wearing protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Seeking shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest.
• Avoiding indoor and outdoor tanning, which exposes your skin to harmful UV radiation.

Remember, UV rays can damage your skin even on cloudy days, so make sun protection part of your daily routine.

The Sharon Health Department is collecting food and essential household items to support local pantries and help individuals and families in our community who may be facing hardship.

Your contributions go a long way in ensuring people have access to the resources they need.

We are accepting:

• Paper towels and toilet paper
• Shampoo and deodorant
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Peanut butter
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Canned vegetables
• Canned tuna and canned chicken
• Cereal (non-sugary)
• Juice

Donations can be dropped off at the Health Department during normal business hours. Every item makes a meaningful difference and helps support neighbors who need a little extra help.

Thank you for giving back and strengthening our community!

We have a few active cases of Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses here in Sharon, so here is a refresher on how to do a tick check after outdoor activities!

When you come inside from an outdoor activity, do a head-to-toe check for any hitchhiking ticks! Be sure to check these common areas where ticks tend to latch on!

• Hairline
• Behind ears
• Back and shoulders
• Armpits
• Groin
• Legs and thighs
• Behind knees
• Between fingers and toes

If a tick is found, remove as soon as possible using a special tick removal tool or a pair of fine-point tweezers!

• Place the tweezers as close to the skin as possible, near the tick’s head or mouthparts.
• Pull the tick straight out with steady, even pressure.
• Clean the bite area with soap and water or use an alcohol-based cleanser.
• Kill the tick by submerging it in rubbing alcohol, freezing it for several days, or sealing it in a container. Then dispose in trash.
• Monitor for rashes, fever, and flu-like symptoms in the days to weeks following the bite. Seek medical attention if these occur.

Other tips:

• Check pets thoroughly for ticks after they’ve been outdoors. This helps prevent them from bringing ticks indoors or getting a tick-borne illness such as Lyme Disease themselves. This is especially important if your pets are allowed on the furniture or sleep in your bed.
• Tumble dry clothing in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks that may be hiding in clothing.
• Do not use petroleum jelly, nail polish, nail polish remover, heat, or essential oils to remove a tick. These methods can irritate the tick and increase the risk of infection.

Pop-In with the Public Health Nurse, second Wednesday of the month 10:30AM-12:00PM at the Sharon Council on Aging.

Care Solace is a free and confidential, 24/7/365 service that helps individuals and families quickly connect with mental health, substance use treatment options, and social service support.

Call (888) 515-0595 or click on the button below.

Why is feeding wildlife discouraged?

• Wild animals become dependent on people instead of relying on their natural food sources, making it harder for them to survive on their own.
• Animals lose their natural fear of humans, which can lead to aggressive behavior and increase conflicts in neighborhoods.
• Disease spreads more easily when wildlife gathers in unnaturally large numbers around food sources.
• Human food can make wildlife sick and may cause serious health problems because it does not meet their nutritional needs.
• Feeding attracts unwanted wildlife such as bears, coyotes, turkeys, rodents, and other animals closer to homes.
• More wildlife near roads increases the risk of vehicle collisions and other injuries.
• Crowding around feeding sites can damage natural habitats and create unnecessary competition among animals.

How can you help instead?

• Never feed wild animals.
• Secure trash, compost, and pet food to avoid attracting wildlife.
• Enjoy wildlife from a safe distance and allow animals to remain wild.

By allowing wildlife to find their own natural food and habitat, we help keep both animals and our community healthy and safe.

HESSCO Elder Services

545 South Street, Suite 300

Walpole, MA 02081

P: 781-784-4944

F: 781-784-4922

https://hessco.org/services/

https://www.facebook.com/HESSCO/

https://www.instagram.com/hesscoelderservices

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hessco-elder-services

Kids will love these whole-grain waffles made with whole-wheat flour and oats.

Yield

• 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour

  1/2 cup oats (quick-cooking)

  2 teaspoons baking powder

  1 teaspoon sugar

  1/4 cup nuts (pecans, unsalted, chopped)

  2 eggs (large, separated)

  1 1/2 cups milk (fat-free (skim))

  1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  2 cups berries (strawberries, halved)

  1 cup berries (blackberries)

  1 cup berries (blueberries)

  1 teaspoon sugar (powdered)

1. Preheat waffle iron.
2. Combine flour, oats, baking powder, sugar, and pecans in a large bowl.
3. Combine egg yolks, milk, and vegetable oil in a separate bowl, and mix well.
4. Add liquid mixture to the dry ingredients, and stir together. Do not overmix; mixture should be a bit lumpy.
5. Whip egg whites to medium peaks. Gently fold egg whites into batter.
6. Pour batter into preheated waffle iron, and cook until the waffle iron light signals it's done or steam stops coming out of the iron. A waffle is perfect when it is crisp and well-browned on the outside with a moist, light, airy and fluffy inside (or make pancakes).
7. Add fresh fruit and a light dusting of powdered sugar to each waffle, and serve.

To find more recipes, visit: https://www.nutrition.gov/recipes

Report My Meal is an online system for reporting suspected foodborne illness to public health officials in Massachusetts. After completing the attached online form, the information goes to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) where it is reviewed and shared with local health departments within the state for follow-up.

If you have any ideas you would like The Health Department to include in future newsletters, please reach out to us at (781) 784-1500 ext. 1205 or email agreeley@sharonma.gov

It's important to regularly check the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recall list because defective or unsafe products, including drugs, food, and medical devices, can reach consumers.

When you're aware of active recalls, you can act quickly - stop using the product, follow the manufacturer's instructions, and contact your healthcare provider or retailer of needed. Failure to do so can mean exposure to serious health risks or harm even when the chance may seem small.

Staying informed is a simple but powerful step in protecting your health and the wellbeing of those around you.