Community

Protect Yourself and Your Family from Tick Bites This Spring And Summer

Published

1 month ago

May 23, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

As the warmer weather is welcomed and families spend more time outside, remember to protect yourself and loved ones from tick bites. A bite from an infected tick can cause Lyme Disease and other diseases such as Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Powassan. The risk of encountering an infected tick in the Hudson Valley region is high.

“Ticks, like many of us, become more active during warmer weather. Ticks that carry Lyme disease continue to be found in Rockland; therefore, we advise residents to follow these precautions for an enjoyable and healthy season,” said Dr. Chitra Punjabi, Rockland County Department of Health Director of TB & Communicable Disease Control:

Avoid contact with ticks – stay on cleared, well-traveled trails, walk in the center of trails, avoid dense woods and bushy areas, and avoid sitting directly on the ground or stone walls.

Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors. Brush any ticks off before they attach. Do a complete check of your skin when you go back inside. Be sure to check for ticks on your children and pets, too! It is easy to check when you bathe or shower, preferably within two hours, to wash off and more easily find ticks that may be on you. Do a final, full-body tick check at the end of the day (also check children and pets) and remove ticks promptly.

Remove any attached ticks using this safe method: Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick near the mouthparts as close to the skin as possible. Do not twist, turn, or squeeze the tick’s body. Instead, pull the tick in a steady, upward motion away from the skin until the tick lets go. To lessen your chance of infection, remove an attached tick as soon as possible.

Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, and shoes. Tuck your shirt into your pants and pant legs into your socks. Wear sneakers or boots, not sandals. Tie back long hair or wear a hat.

Consider the use of an insect repellent. Carefully read and follow the directions on the repellent label.

If you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms after a tick bite, contact your health care provider immediately to discuss any treatment and further prevention options.

For more information visit these webpages: Rockland County Department of Health and New York State Department of Health.

Community

Pool Safety Reminders For A Safe And Fun Summer

Published

2 weeks ago

June 10, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

With the warmer weather here pools are open. Below are some pool safety tips from https://www.poolsafely.gov/ to help everyone enjoy pools safely.

Always Supervise: Never leave children unattended near the water. Designate a responsible adult to watch over swimmers at all times.

Learn to Swim: Ensure that everyone in the family knows how to swim. Enroll in swimming lessons if needed.

Use Barriers: Install fences, covers, and alarms around your pool to prevent accidental drownings.

No Running: Pool decks can be slippery. Encourage everyone to walk, not run, around the pool.

Avoid Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol when supervising swimmers or swimming yourself.

Know CPR: Learn CPR and basic first aid. Quick response can save lives in emergencies.

Obey Pool Rules: Follow all posted rules and guidelines at public pools to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

Community

Rockland’s 2024 Farmers’ Markets: Locally Grown Produce Ready for Eating!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 10, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

NEW CITY, NY, – Want fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, picked at their peak, and packed with vitamins and minerals? If you answer yes, shop at one (or more!) of the many Farmers’ Markets in Rockland County. Not only are these produce items fresh and nutritious, but they also support local farmers and reduce the carbon footprint. You can’t get fresher produce – unless you grow it yourself!

Cropsey Community Farm Stand: Thursdays & Fridays, 10am – 6pm, and Saturdays, 9am – 2pm, through November 30^th

Location: 220 South Little Tor Road, New City
Bus Routes: TOR #91; Clarkstown Mini Trans Route B
FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks) and FreshConnect Checks accepted

Haverstraw Farmers’ Market: Sundays, 9am – 1pm, June 16^th through November 3^rd

Location: 40 New Main Street., lot corner of Maple Avenue, Haverstraw
Bus Routes: TOR #91; Coach USA #11A
FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks) and FreshConnect Checks accepted

J&D Perez Farm Stand Spring Valley: Wednesdays, 10:30am – 4:30pm, June 26^th through November 6^th

Location: Finkelstein Memorial Library, 24 Chestnut Street, Spring Valley
Bus Route: TOR #59
FMNP (Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program checks) and FreshConnect Checks accepted

Perez Farm Stand Monsey: Sundays, 10am – 3pm, June 16^th through November 10^th

Location: Front lawn of 40 Robert Pitt Drive, Monsey
Bus Route: TOR #59, Loop # 1 and 2
FMNP (Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program checks), SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) (EBT), and FreshConnect Checks accepted

Nyack Farmers’ Market: Thursdays, 8am – 2pm year-round, free parking in selected spots until 2pm

Location: Municipal Parking Lot, Main Street, Nyack
Bus Routes: TOR #59, #91, #92 ; Coach USA #9 and 9A; Hudson Link HO7, HO5
FMNP (Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program), FreshConnect Checks, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) (EBT), debit, and credit cards accepted by some vendors

Pearl River Farmers’ Market: Saturdays, 10am – 2pm, through November 23^rd

Location: 58 East Central Avenue Field, Pearl River
Bus Route: TOR #93

Piermont Farmers’ Market: Sundays, 10am – 3pm, year-round

Location: 25 Flywheel Park, Piermont
Bus Route: Coach USA #9A

Find out if you are eligible for these food assistance programs:

Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides checks to women, infants, and children through the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) (845-364-2577).
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) coupons are available for eligible low-income, older adults (aged 60+ years) who live in New York State. For information on Senior Coupon eligibility, call the Rockland County Office for the Aging at (845) 364-2100.
Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP) and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)helps low-income working people, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and others feed their families by putting healthy food on the table. Monthly benefits are issued through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, similar to a bank debit card or credit card, that can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores.
FreshConnect Program Checks (FCC) are offered to active-duty members, veterans, and their immediate family members, as well as un-remarried surviving spouses of veterans, for fresh produce and other food items at participating farmers markets throughout New York State.

For more information on Farmers’ Markets in New York visit https://agriculture.ny.gov/farmersmarkets.