The Borough of Wharton Health Department provides many services to the residents of Wharton at reduced rates, such as: referrals for reduced childhood immunizations, female and male cancer screenings, flu shots, and blood pressure screenings. To receive information on these programs please contact the Borough Nurse, Carol Miller, RN BSN, at 973-361-8444 ext. 2715. The Public Health Nurse now has new hours. Tues., Wed., and Thurs. from 9-3:30. She is available to Wharton residents in her office during those times or she is available to make house calls to home bound residents. Feel free to call her if you have any health related concerns. The Health Dept. holds screenings through out the year, so check back here to see what's coming up next.

Upcoming Programs for Wharton Residents

• Female Cancer Screening- The Wharton Health Department is holding its annual female cancer screening on Thursday May 24, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Wharton Library basement 15 S. Main St. There is an elevator available. The cost is $20 for seniors and $25 for non seniors. To register call Carol Miller at 973-361-8444 x2715 on Tues. Wed. or Thurs.
• The Morris Regional Public Health Partnership is hosting an important educational program for residents, entitled "Backyard Mosquitoes and Ticks." This informative program is being held at 6:30 p.m. on June 7, 2012 at the Hanover Township Municipal Building, 1000 Route 10. This program will provide important new information on mosquito control, Lyme disease, and the role of your local health department. With warmer Spring temperatures and recent rainfall, adult mosquitoes will soon will soon be emerging . Of particular interest is the Asian "Tiger" mosquito, which is an aggressive daytime biter and is anticipated to be more active this year. Experts from government and academia will present new information on disease trends and prevention methods, and homeowners will be advised of the important role they play in reducing mosquito activity on their property. Featured speakers include Shereen Semple, epidemiologist with the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, Dr. Mark Slaff, adjunct professor with Rutgers and Fairleigh Dickinson Universities, Kris McMorland, superintendent of the Morris County Mosquito Commission, and Dr. George Van Orden, Health Officer with the Hanover Township Health Department. Refreshments will be served and preregistration is require. To register, contact 973-515-6667 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  

Other available Programs for Wharton Residents

• H1N1 INFLUENZA CLINIC- For Wharton or Mount Olive Residents-Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 1pm-4pm or by appointment Free vaccination for all New Jersey residents. At the Mount Olive Health Department Municipal Building 204 Flanders-Drakestown Road, Budd Lake, NJ For additional information, Call 973-691-0900 ext 7353. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend vaccination for all people 6 months pf age and older. Vaccination is especially important for people with certain health conditions, the very young and those people 65 years and older.

• Vaccinations Available for Children entering 6th Grade. Mount Olive Township Health Department has Tdap and Meningitis vaccinations available for students entering 6th Grade. The cost for both vaccinations is $20.00 (no insurance cards necessary). This is availble for Wharton Residents.For families that qualify, free vaccinations are also available through the Vaccines For Children program. Please call (973) 691-0900 ext 7353.

• The Township of Mount Olive is now able to offer several vaccines to all residents at a cost of $15.00 each or 2 (two) vaccines for $20.00. All residents of Mount Olive, Netcong, Mount Arlington and Wharton are eligible. Vaccination will take place at the Nurse’s office at the Mount Olive Municipal Building at 204 Flanders-Drakestown Road, Budd Lake, NJ. Call The Mount Olive Health Department for an appointment (973) 691-0900 ext. 7353.

The following vaccines are now available:

• *Tetanus booster (Tdap) *Meningitis

• Human Papiloma Virus (HPV)

• Pneumonia (Pneumovax)

• *Tdap and Meningitis vaccination is required for entry into sixth grade.

Please note, this is separate from the Vaccines For Children program which provides free vaccinations for children without insurance by appointment at Mount Olive Township Health Department. (973) 691-0900 ext. 7353.

Notes from the Public Health Nurse

Holiday Information from NJ Poison Information and Education System

•             Medicines- Be sure to keep a safe, locked place for relatives and holiday visitors to store any medications they may be carrying with them.  Never leave any medications in purses, nightstands, or in the bathroom where they are accessible to children.

•             Toy Safety- Be cautious of antique or foreign-made toys!  They may contain lead and be hazardous to children.  For Toy Safety call the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at 1-800-638-2772

•             Candles- Place candles in secure areas where they cannot fall or be knocked over by children and pets.  Use non-flammable holders and remember that small amounts of melted wax can become a choking hazard to small children.  

•             Button Batteries and Magnets-These items are easy to swallow and can cause serious harm to children and pets.  If ingested, button batteries can get stuck in the throat or stomach causing serious burns.  If two or more magnets are ingested, they can attract one another internally, resulting in serious damage to the stomach or intestines. 

•             Holiday Plants- Many plants can be potentially harmful if eaten or handled improperly so decorate for the holiday season using non-poisonous plants if possible.  Holiday plants which can produce some toxic effects, mainly gastrointestinal, include Holly, Jerusalem Cherry, Mistletoe, Boxwood and a variety of species of the Yew.  Contrary to popular belief, Poinsettias are not considered toxic when consumed in small amounts. Call the NJ Poison Experts at 1-800-222-1222 to find out what other plants are considered to be toxic.

•             Fire Salts- Attractive when added to fires for the colorful flames they produce.  These salts can produce serious stomach problems if ingested.  They need to be kept out of reach from children.

•             Tree Ornaments- Ornaments resembling foods are as attractive as the real thing.  A child or a dog may think a fake apple or cookie looks appetizing and attempt to eat it.  If eaten, they can cause problems, so avoid using them for decoration.

•             Lamp Oils- Lamp oils pose serious danger. Children are often confused by these oils because they look just like a beverage.  If ingested, the oils can get into the lungs and cause pneumonia and even death.  Many of the lamps containing these oils are not child-resistant and must be kept away from children and pets.  When not in use, store the lamps and extra oils, the same way you would store any chemical - Lock them up and keep them out of the reach of children.

•             Wrapping Paper- DO NOT burn in the fireplace.  They may contain toxic metals like lead, may burn at such a high temperature that they may prove dangerous to the fireplace, or flake and send sparks out into the room causing a potential fire.

•             Pets- Make sure to keep chocolate, alcohol and illicit drugs out of reach of your pets. Ingestion of any of these can cause serious harm and even death.  Be sure to keep all wires tucked away. 

•             Cigars and Cigarettes- Empty all ashtrays after your holiday gathering.  Children and pets have been known to eat cigars and cigarette “butts”.  There is enough nicotine in these tobacco products to be considered poisonous to children and pets.

•             Food- All foods should be prepared and cooked properly to avoid food poisoning. Food poisoning usually occurs two to six hours after eating the contaminated food and can include nausea, fever, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea.  Depending on the exact type of food poisoning, how your body reacts to the toxin and the amount of contaminated food that was eaten, symptoms may last from several hours to two or three days. Food poisoning can be serious for people in poor health, as well as the very young and the elderly.  For tips on food safety, please click on the link (http://www.njpies.org/News-and-Events/Press-Releases.aspx) to read our November press release.      

•             Fireplace- Have chimneys and flues inspected by a professional before each heating season.  Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that poses a serious health concern.  Carbon monoxide poisoning is often referred to as the “Silent Killer.”  Call to Action – Help is Just a Phone Call Away

NJPIES leaders urge medical professionals, parents, educators, caregivers and the general public to call the toll-free poison center hot line, 800-222-1222, with any poison related question as well as for non-emergency questions regarding medications, household products, plants, environmental contaminants, or other poisons.  The hotline is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The NJ poison experts recommend putting the number in all family cell phones as well as programming it as a speed dial number on landlines.  In addition, the hotline number should be prominently posted near all phones in the home. Real People. Real Answers.

Proper Disposal of Syringes used at home to St. Clare's Hospital

Syringes should NEVER be thrown out in your regular household garbage!

1. All Participants must be registered with the program prior to delivering syringes or receiving containers.
2. After the first delivery, only hospital issued containers will be accepted.
3. Syringes may be dropped off at Dover, Denville, or Sussex hospitals. The procedure for each location is as follows:
   1. DOVER- Enter through Lobby entrance, and stop at the information desk, a volunteer will assist you with your initial registration.
   2. DENVILLE- Enter through Lobby entrance, and stop at the information desk, a volunteer will assist you with your initial registration.
   3. SUSSEX- Enter through the Main entrance, and stop at the information desk and request the Housekeeping Supervisor to be paged. A Housekeeping representative will meet you at that location.
4. In you are currently registered and wish to change your drop-off location just let them know.
5. Containers may NOT be dropped off without a representative from Saint Clare's Health System accepting them.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Phyllis Sperry at 973-989-3054

How to Dispose of Unused Medications

DO NOT FLUSH unused medications and DO NOT POUR them down a sink or drain

Be proactive and dispose of unused medications in household trash. When discarding unused medications, ensure you protect children and pets from potentially negative effects:

1. Pour medication into a sealable plastic bag. If medication is a solid (pill, liquid capsule, etc.) crush it or add water to dissolve it.
2. Add kitty litter, sawdust, coffee ground (or any material that mixes with the medication and makes it less appealing for pets and children to eat) to the plastic bag.
3. Seal the plastic bag and put it in the trash.
4. Remove and destroy ALL identifying personal information from all medication containers before recycling them or throwing them away.

Go to the following website for further information www.smarxtdisposal.net