FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2022

Contact
John Dwyer, Coordinator / CCEMA
(217) 384-3826 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Champaign County EMA and Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Urge People to Prepare for Severe Weather

Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois is February 28-March 4

Champaign, IL – The Champaign County Emergency Management Agency (CCEMA) and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) urge everyone to prepare for severe weather. February 28-March 4, 2022 is Severe Weather Preparedness week in Illinois. In 2021, we had another December tornado outbreak, with eight tornadoes in Illinois on December 10. There was one EF3 tornado that caused six fatalities and one injury near Edwardsville IL, and five EF2 tornadoes in central Illinois causing one injury. There was significant property damage in many areas of central and southwestern Illinois totaling millions of dollars. Now is the time to prepare - before severe weather is predicted. 

We cannot stop severe thunderstorms, lightning, or tornadoes from developing or happening, but there are things that everyone can do to minimize the impacts of severe weather on our lives and our families. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the following precautions can be taken to prepare for severe weather:

1. STAY INFORMED

This can be done by monitoring a weather alert radio, local radio and TV broadcasts, NWS web pages, or various applications on computers and smart phones. DON'T just rely on one method - especially storm sirens - which are NOT designed to be heard indoors by everyone. Have multiple ways to receive information such as:

• Weather Alert Radio
• Portable radio with battery backup

Wireless emergency alerts on most smart phones - cell phone apps such as FEMA and Red Cross will send you warnings for your area but make sure to enable alerts • Local TV and radio stations

2. HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLAN

Do this for your home, business, schools, and when you are traveling. Designate places to go to seek safe shelter from a tornado or severe thunderstorm. Pick two places to meet in case you are separated from your family or co-workers. While traveling or when away from home, know the names of the locations you are visiting - especially county and city names.  

3. PREPARE YOURSELF & YOUR HOME FOR AN EMERGENCY

• Learn how to use a fire extinguisher, how to administer CPR, and how to turn off the electricity, gas, and water supplies in your home.
• Inspect your home for potential hazards such as weakened trees or limbs, cracked windows, or worn roofing.
• When you build a new structure - or renovate an existing one - there are ways to prevent wind damage to roofs, upper floors, and garages. Rafters, trusses, walls, and doors can all be reinforced.

4. HAVE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT

Some storms produce power outages that will last for several days. Having the following items will help you cope with the disaster: 

• Bottled water
• Non-perishable food
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Extra clothing and blankets
• An extra set of keys and cash
• Medications and a first aid kit
• Personal hygiene items
• Pet supplies
• A weather alert radio or portable AM/FM radio

 The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the NWS developed a Severe Weather Preparedness Guide which provides information about tornadoes, severe storms, lightning, and flooding along with recommended actions to take before, during, and after each of these weather events. It is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.  The NWS, Lincoln also has a Severe Weather Safety web page at: https://www.weather.gov/ilx/ for numerous tornado, severe storm, flooding and lightning safety graphics.

Preparedness tips and information are also available through the Ready Illinois Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/ReadyIllinois) and Twitter Page (twitter.com/ReadyIllinois). For local information, go to Champaign County EMA (https://www.facebook.com/ChampaignEMA) and Twitter Page (twitter.com/ChampCoEMA).

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Download 2022-02-28-Severe-Weather-Preparedness-Week-PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2022

Contact
Julie Pryde, Administrator
(217) 531-5369 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Administrator Appointed to NACCHO Board

Ms. Julie Pryde to serve as Region 5 Board Member

Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is honored to announce that Ms. Julie Pryde, Administrator, has been appointed to the National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO). Ms. Pryde will serve as Region 5 Board Member through July 1, 2023. Board members will work to support NACCHO’s mission to improve the health of communities by strengthening and advocating for local health departments.

“I am honored to serve on the NACCHO Board with other Public Health Administrators from across the U.S. to help ensure a stronger, more robust and responsive public health system,” said Julie Pryde, CUPHD Administrator.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2022

Contact
Whitney Greger, Interim Director of
Wellness & Health Promotion
(217) 531-2914 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

The theme for Children's Dental Health month this year is Sealants Make Sense! Sealants are beneficial for oral health and can prevent cavities in the future.

 CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) reminds parents that their children can avoid cavities. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth daily with floss, eating a healthy diet that limits sugary beverage and snacks, and seeing your dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease are the keys to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

While brushing and flossing are the best ways to maintain healthy teeth, it can sometimes to be hard to reach every surface in your mouth. This is especially true for the teeth in the way back of your mouth that you use to chew. These teeth are called molars and they can be a popular place for leftover food and bacteria to hide. Dental sealants are a great way to help keep these teeth protected. Dental sealants are a thin, protective barrier that helps prevent bacteria from causing tooth decay.

While sealants are no substitute for brushing and flossing, the American Dental Association (ADA) states that sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars. This is especially important when it comes to your child's dental health. In October 2016, the Centers for Disease Control released a report on the importance of sealants for school-aged children, of which only 43% of children ages 6-11 have. According to the CDC, "school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants."

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District School Dental Clinics visit all public schools in Champaign, Savoy and Urbana to provide school dental exams, cleanings, fluoride and dental sealants. All students are eligible for a dental exam at school, at no cost to the parent.

Additional information on CUPHD’s Dental Program, including school sealant program schedules and registration packets can be found here: https://www.c-uphd.org/dental-health.html

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