For Immediate Release:

December 1, 2014

 

Union Beach’s 4^th graders know

what makes up a healthy home

Health Dept. poster contest teaches dangers of lead

 

UNION BEACH, NJ – If you would like to know about the seven principles of a healthy home, you may want to ask a fourth grade student at Memorial School.

 

This fall, the entire fourth grade learned about what makes a home healthy and they were given the opportunity to create a poster featuring one or more of the healthy home principles in a contest sponsored by the Monmouth County Health Department’s Healthy Home Initiative.

 

“These fourth graders really absorbed a great deal of information from their teachers and our public health nurses,” said Christopher Merkel, Monmouth County Health Officer. “The students did a truly great job illustrating all that they learned; it was difficult to select just three winners.”

 

The first place poster was drawn by Joshua Jacob, second place went to C.J. Murgolo and third place was won by Julia Anderson.

 

The seven principles of a healthy home are: keep it dry, keep it clean, keep it ventilated, keep it pest-free, keep it safe, keep it contaminant-free and keep it maintained.

 

“It is great to get the children involved in learning about the importance of a healthy home,” said Freeholder John P. Curley, liaison to the County Health Department. “It is important for children, parents and all residents to understand the effects that your home can have on your health.”

 

“Union Beach is one of our communities hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy,” said Curley. “Flooding created the opportunity for some unhealthy home conditions and this program helps make the children aware of what they can do to make their home and their community better and healthier.”

 

In addition to the educational information provided to the students of Memorial School, the Health Department is offering free one-hour classes entitled “Creating a Healthy Home after a Hurricane or Flood.” The classes are available at no cost to Monmouth County residents and no insurance is required.

 

The next Healthy Home class will be held at the Monmouth County Health Department located at 3435 Route 9 in Freehold on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

 

The Monmouth County Healthy Home initiative is funded through a Super Storm Sandy Recovery Grant to provide public education and professional development classes. Promoting healthy homes and healthy communities has been a long standing project for the County Health Department.

 

For additional information, call the Monmouth County Health Department at 732-431-7456, or log onto www.visitmonmouth.com for the complete schedule.

 

The Monmouth County Health Department provides public health services for residents of the following towns: Aberdeen, Allentown, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Avon, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Englishtown, Eatontown, Farmingdale, Hazlet, Holmdel, Howell, Keansburg, Keyport, Lake Como, Manasquan, Marlboro, Matawan, Millstone, Neptune Township, Neptune City, Oceanport, Ocean Grove, Roosevelt, Shrewsbury Township and Union Beach. 

 

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