Burlington Board of Health

08/14/2026

Did you know that the Burlington Volunteer Reserve Corps offers free First Aid classes to members? To learn more about becoming a volunteer with the Burlington Board of Health, go to the BVRC website or email [email protected].

08/13/2026

From June through October, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) monitors mosquitoes for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) and updates risk levels for cities and towns across the state based on seasonal testing.

Knowing your community’s current risk level can help you stay informed throughout mosquito season.

View the latest EEE and WNV risk maps and check Burlington’s current risk level on the Massachusetts Arbovirus Update page: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update

08/13/2026

Brown is the new green!

Don’t worry if your lawn turns brown during hot and dry weather. Most established lawns naturally go dormant during drought conditions to conserve water. They’ll green up again when rainfall returns, deepening the roots and making the lawn more drought tolerant.

08/07/2026

September is right around the corner, and now is the perfect time to start planning to get your flu shot. Getting vaccinated before flu season ramps up helps protect you, your family, and your community from serious illness.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines provide powerful protection throughout the respiratory virus season. Find a vaccination location near you: mass.gov/SeasonalVaccines

08/06/2026

Climate change is contributing to more frequent and severe wildfires. Smoke from wildfires, even thousands of miles away, can travel long distances and reduce air quality here in Massachusetts.

This poor air quality can worsen allergies, irritate the lungs, and cause respiratory infections especially for people with heart disease, asthma, and other lung diseases.

Here’s how you can protect yourself during wildfire smoke events:
▪ Check local air quality forecasts and alerts
▪ Talk with your healthcare provider about using asthma medications
▪ Move outdoor activities indoors
▪ Keep windows and vents closed
▪ Use high-efficiency (HEPA) air filters in heating and cooling systems
▪ Have a supply of N95 masks, learn how to use them and practice having your child wear small N95 or surgical masks
▪ Consider creating a clean air room in your home using a box fan

For more information on how wildfires collectively affect public health, visit:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/climate-fact-sheet-wildfire-smoke-events

08/05/2026

Planning a beach day, hike, or a picnic in your backyard? Don’t forget your “sandwich!”

Dr. Ed Weiner shares friendly summer reminders to help you stay safe and healthy while enjoying the season, including tips on:

Wearing sunscreen
Grilling food safely
Protecting yourself with insect repellent

Watch the short video below, courtesy of Burlington Cable Access Television, for simple ways to have a fun, healthy, and safe summer:

A friendly summer reminder from Dr. Ed Weiner and the Burlington Board of Health.

08/03/2026

Emergencies are chaotic, but our response doesn’t have to be! 🚨

The Incident Command System (ICS) gives first responders, and emergency teams like the Burlington Volunteer Reserve Corps, a universal game plan. By identifying clear roles, and a unified chain of command, paired with common terminology, ICS ensures that different agencies can work together seamlessly when every second counts.

Want to learn more about our ICS Training and how you can get involved? Become a Burlington Volunteer Reserve Corps member today, to attend future Hybrid ICS-100 training sessions.

For more information, email [email protected] or visit the website linked below.

https://region4ab.org/mrc/burlington-volunteer-reserve-corps-mrc/

08/01/2026

Did you know that local Boards of Health license and inspect recreational camps throughout Massachusetts?

Licensed camps must meet health and safety standards established by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), as well as any additional local requirements, to help provide a safe environment for children.

Before enrolling your child in a camp, call your local Board of Health and verify that the camp is licensed.

Learn more about recreational camp licensing requirements and Massachusetts camp safety standards here:
https://www.burlington.org/DocumentCenter/View/356/Minimum-Standards-for-Recreational-Camps-for-Children-105-CMR-430000-State-Sanitary-Code-Chapter-IV-PDF?bidId=

07/31/2026

Thank you to Michael Greene, Assistant Director at the Burlington Board of Health, for conducting our MRC-101 Trainings. Our Wednesday, July 29th training was a success.

If you are interested in attending training sessions like this in the future, join the Burlington Volunteer Reserve Corps by clicking the link below, or by emailing [email protected] for more information.

https://region4ab.org/mrc/burlington-volunteer-reserve-corps-mrc/

Thank you again, for sharing your time and expertise, and for helping to make our meetings such a success!

07/30/2026

The summer heat is here, and while we love the sunshine, it is up to us to keep our pets safe, cool, and comfortable.

Here are 5 simple, effective ways to protect your pets during a heatwave:

▪ Hydration is key: Place multiple water bowls with ice cubes around your home.
▪ Avoid hot pavement: Do the sidewalk test. If it is too hot to hold the back of your hand to the pavement for 7 seconds, it is too hot for your pet's paws.
▪ Never leave them in a car: Parked cars turn into ovens in minutes, even with the windows cracked and the AC recently running.
▪ Create cooling zones: Set up a damp towel, a cooling mat, or a rotating fan in a shaded area of your home.
▪ Limit midday exercise: Shift your walks and intense playtime to the early morning or late evening when temperatures drop.

Let’s look out for our furry family members!