Keep your home warm and dry this winter
With the long , cold nights , keeping your home warm and dry this winter is important to keep your family healthy .
Homes that are cold and damp can cause health problems . “ Cold , damp , and mouldy homes are associated with illnesses such as asthma and respiratory infections . Cold indoor temperatures also increase the risk of worsening heart problems ,” says Dr Jim Miller , Medical Officer of Health .
There are a few simple things you can do to help make your home more comfortable to live in and cheaper to heat .
Open your curtains during the day and close them at night
• Open your curtains during the day and close them at night .
• Dry your washing outside or in the garage or carport .
• Let steam out in the kitchen and bathroom .
• Open your windows for at least a few minutes each day .
• Stop cold air getting into your home by stopping draughts around doors , windows and fireplaces .
• Wipe away any water that has collected on walls and on the inside of windows .
• Use white vinegar to remove mould from ceilings and walls .
“ By following even some of these tips , you can help your family stay healthy over the winter months ,” says Dr Miller .
It ’ s also helpful to find out if your home is insulated and that you have the best heating option . You may qualify to have insulation installed for free . For more information visit www . energywise . govt . nz
More time to get free influenza vaccine
Bay of Plenty people have more time to get their flu jab with this year ’ s seasonal influenza immunisation programme extended to the end of August .
Ministry of Health surveillance data shows that influenza rates have not yet peaked this winter . However , if levels start to increase in late winter as they did last year , it ’ s important that people can still access the vaccine .
To date around 1.23 million influenza vaccines have been distributed across the country , protecting over a quarter of the population .
The influenza vaccine is free for people aged 65 years and over , pregnant women , people with long term health conditions such as severe asthma , and children under five who have been hospitalised for a respiratory illness . It takes two weeks to provide full protection .
Those who aren ’ t eligible for free immunisation can purchase it from general practices and some pharmacies .
The influenza vaccine for the 2016 season includes two new strains based on recommendations from the World Health Organization :
• A / California / 7 / 2009 ( H1N1 ) - like virus
• A / Hong Kong / 4801 / 2014 ( H3N2 ) - like virus ( new )
• B / Brisbane / 60 / 2008 – like virus ( new )
For further information go to www . fightflu . co . nz or www . health . govt . nz / influenza or call 0800 IMMUNE ( 0800 466 863 ).
Son inspiration to quit as Free Stop Smoking Service launched
A Bay of Plenty mum is using her son as motivation to quit as a free stop smoking service is launched regionally .
Drue Harawira , who has been smoking for over 10 years , says she wants to be a role model to her seven-year-old son Daz .
“ I really want to try to quit smoking for my health and to be a better role model for my son ,” says Drue . “ I am worried that he sees me smoking and looks at it like it ’ s a cool thing , and it ’ s not .”
The new Bay of Plenty Stop Smoking Service , which is launched on Friday 1st July 2016 , will be run by the Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance ( EBPHA ) and Ngā Mataapuna Oranga Primary Healthcare Organisation ( NMOPHO ).
This service is free and patients will be visited in the community at times and locations convenient to them .
“ Stop Smoking Practitioners can visit patients at a place and time that suits them ,” said EBPHA Smokefree Lead Lizzie Spence . “ They will work with individuals or groups to meet their needs and develop a quit smoking plan that works for them .
Settings could include their home , marae , work or drop-in clinics .”
Once referred via a health provider or self-referral , patients will be offered an initial assessment . A quit date will then be agreed and a quit plan developed . Information will be provided on Nicotine Replacement Therapy and other cessation medications and the follow-up plan mutually agreed .
Drue Harawira says the convenience of the service coming to her could make all the difference .
“ To be honest , someone can tell me all day about the bad things to do with smoking , and I know them all , but it has to be my decision . But because the service is coming to me , where and when I want help , of course it will make a difference with quitting smoking .”
The Bay of Plenty Stop Smoking Service is working to the overarching national goal of reducing the proportion of people using tobacco by 2025 to less than 5 %.
Drue Harawira is trying to quit smoking for her health and her son .
Influenza Symptoms
Sudden onset of illness . Moderate to severe illness lasting 7-10 days
Fever ( usually high ) Headache ( may be severe )
Dry cough may become moist
Muscle aches Shivering Bed rest necessary
Can suffer severe complications ( e . g . pneumonia )
Cold Symptoms
Mild illness
Mild fever
Mild headache ( congested sinuses )
Sometimes a cough
Muscle aches uncommon A runny nose