Clay County Health Department

12/26/2025

Looking forward to next week, we will be closed on Thursday, January 1st for the New Year's Day Holiday.

12/26/2025

A reminder that our offices are closed today. They will reopen on Monday at 8 a.m.

12/23/2025

🎁 Follow these toy safety tips to keep your little ones protected.🪀🧸
✅Check the label for the age recommendations and only choose toys that are age appropriate.
✅Provide safety gear, including helmets for scooters and other riding toys, and ensure children use them each time they ride.
✅Don't buy toys with small parts for young children and avoid toys with magnets or button batteries.
✅Avoid any toys with sharp edges or points.

12/23/2025

Our offices will close today at 5 p.m. and reopen on Monday, December 29th at at 8 a.m.
We wish you all a wonderful Christmas.

12/23/2025

Go Green This Christmas – Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Wondering what to do with your traditional (live) Christmas tree after the holidays? Donate it back to the Earth! Recycle your tree at the Clay County Health Department’s 18th Annual Christmas Tree Collection.
Traditional, real Christmas trees can still serve a valuable purpose after the holiday season. Because they are biodegradable, these trees can be used for environmental applications such as providing valuable habitats for fish in ponds and lakes or being turned into compost or mulch for erosion control and soil stabilization. This year, any donated trees will be given to the Stephen A. Forbes State Park, where they will be used in the lake to provide cover and nutrients for fish.
Christmas trees may be dropped off at the West end of the Clay County Health Department any time before Monday, January 5th by the Christmas Tree Collection sign and orange fencing.
Remember to remove any ornaments, decorations, and tinsel from your tree before dropping it off – these items are not biodegradable and will cause harm to wildlife. A good rule of thumb is to take your tree to the drop-off location in the same condition as you would find it naturally in the forest.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact the Clay County Health Department at (618) 662-4406.

12/22/2025

Blood Drive today at the Health Dept from 1-5 pm. Help Save a life this Christmas season!!

12/18/2025

When we hear the phrase “Drink Responsibly” we usually think about the night ahead and the morning after; less than half of U.S. adults know that alcohol use is linked to seven types of cancer.

12/17/2025

Breastfeeding While Traveling
Traveling with your breastfeeding baby can feel overwhelming, but it’s totally doable with a little preparation. And WIC can help!
Use these tips to make your holiday travel smoother for you and your baby: https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/travel-recommendations.html

Viajar con un bebé en período de lactancia puede parecer abrumador, pero con un poco de preparación es totalmente posible. ¡Y WIC puede ayudarle! ¡WIC puede ayudar!
Siga estos consejos para que sus viajes de fin de año sean más sencillos para usted y su bebé: https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/travel-recommendations.html

12/17/2025

On December 11th, Clay County Health Department's Healthy Families Illinois and P.L.A.Y. programs, along with FES Birth to Three Program hosted their annual Christmas Dinner Party for their families who are enrolled in any of the three home visiting programs. This event typically includes an activity planned by FES Birth to Three Program, pictures with Santa, and a hearty, home-cooked Christmas meal.
This year, we were blessed with the extra hands from Donna Rardin with Birth to Five Illinois: Region 12 and Courtney Hatcher with ProjectCHILD. These ladies volunteered their time all day and were a HUGE help. We could never thank them enough!
We also want to make a shout out to First Christian Church Flora for allowing us to use their space and kitchen for this event each year. Thank you!
🎅Happy Holidays from us to you!🤶

12/15/2025

12/12/2025

A quick reminder: Carbon monoxide (CO) is odorless, colorless, and extremely dangerous - but CO poisoning is preventable.

12/12/2025

PREPARE FOR COLD WEATHER
Very cold weather is forecast in the next few days, with wind chills below zero exposed skin can get frostbite in 30 minutes. The way to avoid frostbite and hypothermia is to plan for extreme cold before it arrives. Don't get caught unprepared.

Here are some safety tips to be ready for the bitter cold:
• Check the Forecast at www.weather.gov or your favorite weather app, station, etc.: Make checking the forecast part of your regular routine so you'll know when to expect cold weather.
• Adjust Your Schedule: If possible, avoid being outside during the coldest part of the day, typically the early morning. Try to find a warm spot for your children while waiting for the school bus outside.
• Protect Your Pets, Livestock and other Property: If you have pets or farm animals, make sure they are not overly exposed to extreme cold and have plenty of food and water that has not frozen.Take precautions to ensure your water pipes do not freeze. Know the temperature thresholds of your plants and crops.
• Fill up the tank: Make sure your car or vehicle has at least a half a tank of gas during extreme cold so that you can stay warm if you become stranded.
• Dress for the outdoors even if you don't think you'll be out much.
• Update Your Winter Car Survival Kit: Make sure your car survival kit has the following:
• Jumper cables: flares or reflective triangle are great extras
• Flashlights: Replace the batteries before the winter season starts and pack extras
• First Aid Kit: Carry essential medications with you in a purse or bag
• Baby gear: Diapers and any special formula or food
• Medical supplies: Materials for any special medical needs.
• Food: Non-perishable food such as canned food and a can opener, dry cereal and protein rich foods like nuts and energy bars
• Water: At least 1 gallon of water per person a day for at least 3 days
• Basic toolkit: Pliers, wrench, screwdriver
• Pet supplies: Food and water
• Radio: Battery or hand cranked
• Cat litter or sand: For better tire traction
• Shovel: To dig out snow
• Ice scraper: Have one in the car even if you usually park in a garage
• Clothes: Dress for the weather in warm clothes, gloves, hat, sturdy boots, jacket and an extra change cold weather of clothes
• Warmers: For body, hands and feet
• Blankets or sleeping bags: If you get stranded you'll be glad to have it.
• Charged Cell Phone: And keep a spare charger in your car

https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-during