Observing National Influenza Vaccination Week

County to offer free flu shots Monday at Exton library Don’t take chances with your health, urges the county, which is offering free flu shots on Monday, Dec. 9. In observance of National Influenza Vaccination Week (Dec. 8-14), the Chester County Health Department will offer the free vaccinations – recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older – at the Chester County Library in Exton from...

Progress seen in plan to end homelessness

County officials applaud collaborative Decades to Doorways initiative By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell (right) discusses the Decades to Doorways initiative, with its administrator, Michael Hackman. Born in South Carolina,  Juanita moved to Coatesville with three young children. Hoping to find a better life, instead she encountered hardship...

Where do germs go the other 8 months of the year?

By Dr. Matthew Lapp, Columnist, The Times It’s that time again!  The holidays haven’t yet arrived, but the flu season is already upon us.  Chances are, the last time you stepped outside, you also saw or heard someone discuss the “bug that’s going around.”  But, where’s the “bug” actually going?  If you pay any attention to the news, you might think that a newly discovered disease...

County to smokers: Be a quitter

Free assistance being offered to help kick the habit In observance of the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, Nov. 21, the Chester County Tobacco-Free Coalition will be distributing 1,000 free “quit kits” to work sites and community-based organizations in Chester County, a news release from the county Health Department said. Quit kits, tobacco prevention information, and smoking cessation resources...

Free child safety seat checks scheduled

State police urging parents, caregivers to have equipment inspected  Every day, about two children aged 12 or younger die and 325 are injured in motor-vehicle accidents across the country, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Research also shows that three out of four children are not as secure in the car as they should...

What were all those dentists doing in New Orleans?

Annual American Dental Association Meeting highlight tech, learning By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times Just last week more than 24 thousand dental professionals gathered in New Orleans for the Annual meeting of the American Dental Association.  That’s a lot of dental people in one place.  What makes these meetings so important? As a private practice dentist, I believe it is...

County fire marshal offers winter safety tips

Extra precautions recommended with space heaters  With winter approaching, the Chester County Fire Marshal’s Office is urging all residents to be extremely careful when using any auxiliary heating device. Recently, the Fire Marshal’s Office has investigated fires that involved space heaters.  “Check the electrical cord and unit for any damage; do not use if any damage is found,” Chief Fire Marshal Harrison Holt said....

State wants to help fund environmental projects

Schools, nonprofits invited  to apply for education grants Educational institutions – both private and public – county conservation districts, nonprofits, municipalities, and businesses are invited to apply for funding for environmental-awareness and improvement projects through Pennsylvania’s Environmental Education Grant Program. Administered by the state Department of Environmental Protection...

Assessment urged during diabetes awareness month

YMCAs to focus on screening, prevention at branch events  November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley is encouraging residents of Chester County to learn their risks for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and to take preventive steps to reduce their chances of developing the disease, a YMCA news release said. Currently one in three Americans – 79 million people...

Take a shot at staying healthy this winter

Register to receive free flu vaccines on Friday Protect yourself against the pesky flu by taking advantage of the free vaccines offered by the Chester County Health Department in Coatesville on Friday, Nov. 8. Advance registration and an up-to-date immunization record is required for the shots, which will be administered from 9 a.m. to noon at the Coatesville Center for Community Health, 1001 E. Lincoln...