Learning Centre

 

H1N1 Flu

What is H1N1 (swine flu)?   Is this new H1N1 virus contagious? What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people? Click here for a printable Q&A about the H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu).

 

 

_______________________________________________

 

Doctors Orders

Medical commentary by Dr. Tara Myers, Medical Director

 

Thanksgiving Illness, a Recipe for Disaster?

 While the right seasoning, spices and trimmings can be a recipe for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, food-borne illnesses caused by improper thawing, dirty knives and inadequate re-heating can be a recipe for disaster.

Dr. Tara Myers, Medical Director for Emergency Health Centre at Willowbrook says that safe food handling is essential in preventing food-borne illness. Here are ways you can make sure your Thanksgiving memorable in a positive way.

• If your turkey is frozen, thaw the frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Allow one day for every five pounds of turkey. A twenty-pound turkey will take about four days to thaw. Hint: Remove neck & giblets from inside the bird as soon as possible to hasten thawing.
• Do not thaw on the kitchen counter. If you do not have time to thaw in the refrigerator, you may thaw it in cold water, provided that the turkey is in a leak-proof packaging, it is submerged, and the water is changed every half-hour. Allow 30 minutes per pound of turkey to thaw in cold water.
• Cook fresh turkeys within two days, thawed ones within four days.
• Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling raw poultry. Wash all knives, cutting boards and utensils also after using for raw poultry.
• Read and follow the cooking directions on the label. Cook turkey until it is done (165°F). Do not slow cook overnight at low temperatures or partially cook. Some turkeys come with pop-up thermometers, however these are to be used only as a guide. Take the temperature with a meat thermometer to be sure the temperature is over 165°F. 
• Always cool the stuffing the day of your meal. A quicker, safer method is to cook the stuffing separately in a casserole, using some of the pan juices to flavor and moisten the stuffing.
• Eat the meal as soon as it is prepared. Do not leave leftovers out on the counter or table after dinner. Cut the meat off the bones and place it in shallow containers in the refrigerator.
• Reheat all leftovers to 165°F. (Use your meat thermometer.) Gravy should be brought to a rolling boil.

 

 

Preventing Holiday Calamities

             The holidays should be a magical time for everyone, yet each year, doctors treat about 2,500 people for falls, cuts and shocks related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees. Keep the season merry with this list of safety tips from Dr. Tara Myers, Medical Director for Emergency Health Centre at Willowbrook.

            If you are considering an artificial tree for your home, look for a “Fire Resistant” label.  Although this label does not ensure the tree can’t catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.

            If purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, its needles should be hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. When purchasing your tree, tap its trunk on the ground. If the tree doesn’t lose its needles, then it’s fresh to take home.

            When setting up a tree, set it away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat-generating devices.  Also, keep your tree away from air vents that can blow warm air on it.  Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.  

            When it comes to lights, use only those that have been tested and UL-approved.  

            Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs.

            Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use. Stay away from power or feeder lines leading from utility poles into older homes and always fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect them from wind damage. Do not use nails or tacks to install outdoor lights.  Instead, run strings of lights through hooks.            

            Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters, or GFCI’s. Portable outdoor GFCI’s can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. As always, be sure to work with a qualified electrician when installing permanent GFCI’s to household circuits.

            Finally, turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

            Families also should be wary of candles.  Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.

            In homes with small children, avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep decorations with small removable parts out of the reach of children to prevent a child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid decorations that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.

            Accidents during the holidays can happen when you least expect them.  Keep these safety measures in mind and chances are, you won’t become another holiday injury statistic.