Franklin Health Department

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Franklin Health Department

This is the official page of the Town of Franklin MA Health Department.

07/28/2026

☀️🍔 Have a Food-Safe Summer! 🧺

Keep your summer cookouts safe with these simple tips:

🧼 Clean: Wash your hands, produce, and food prep surfaces.
🥩 Separate: Keep raw meat away from ready-to-eat foods.
🌡️ Cook: Use a food thermometer! Cook burgers to 160°F and poultry to 165°F.
🧊 Chill: Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours (or 1 hour if it's over 90°F).

For more information visit: https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/food-safety-by-events-and-seasons

07/22/2026

🚑 FREE Choking Response Training!

Learn how to recognize and respond to choking emergencies involving adults, children, and infants. This 1-hour class includes hands-on practice with back blows and abdominal/chest thrusts.

📅 Thursday, August 20, 2026
🕒 3:00–4:00 PM
📍 EOC Classroom
Franklin Fire Headquarters
40 West Central St., Franklin, MA

📝 Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACAF2EAAF9C25-64838129-first

FREE to attend! Please note: This is an educational class and does not include First Aid or CPR certification.

07/16/2026

🚨 Have you heard about the "explosive diarrhea parasite"? 🚨

Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that often leads to severe, watery diarrhea.

At this time, a specific food item has not been confirmed as the source. To help reduce your risk of foodborne illness, follow the fresh fruit and vegetable handling recommendations below.

🛒 It's also a good idea to pay attention to the brands of fresh produce you purchase and stay informed about food recalls and outbreak notices.

Learn more about preventing cyclosporiasis: https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/prevention/index.html

07/15/2026

Wildfire Smoke is Affecting Air Quality in Massachusetts

Smoke from Canadian wildfires is creating hazy skies and reducing air quality across parts of Massachusetts.

🌐Stay informed by checking your local air quality through AirNow at https://www.airnow.gov/ and follow guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

07/13/2026

☀️ Beat the Heat

🌡️ Hot weather is here! High temperatures can be dangerous, especially for older adults, young children, and people with chronic health conditions.

Stay cool and protect yourself by:
💧 Drinking plenty of water
🌳 Staying in the shade whenever possible
❄️ Visiting a local cooling center if you need relief from the heat
🌅 Planning outdoor activities for the cooler morning or evening hours
🥤 Limiting sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic beverages

Know the signs of heat-related illness and check in on family, friends, and neighbors during periods of extreme heat. Stay safe and stay cool!

Find more heat-safety resources on the Mass.gov website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/summer-safety

07/09/2026

🦟 Don't Let Mosquitoes Ruin Your Summer! ☀️

Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites and mosquito-borne illnesses like Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) by taking a few simple precautions:

🧴 Use insect repellent whenever you're outdoors.

👕 Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when possible.

🌅 Avoid outdoor activities from dusk to dawn during peak mosquito season.

🪟 Repair damaged window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.

💧 Remove standing water around your home where mosquitoes can breed.

Stay informed! Find your community's current risk levels for EEE and WNV by visiting: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update

A few simple steps can help you enjoy a safer, bite-free summer!

07/08/2026

🧴 Enjoy the sunshine—but don't forget to protect your skin!

Spending time outdoors is one of the best parts of summer, but too much sun exposure can increase your risk of sunburn and skin damage.

Remember to:
☀️ Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen before heading outside
🕶️ Wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays
👒 Wear protective clothing and a hat when possible
🌳 Reapply sunscreen regularly and seek shade throughout the day

A few simple steps can help you stay safe while enjoying everything summer has to offer.

Learn how to protect your skin from the sun with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/sun-safety/index.html

06/16/2026

⚽ Big Games, Bigger Memories — Celebrate Safely! 🎉

Whether you're cheering at home, hosting a watch party, or heading out to watch the FIFA World Cup™️ keep safety in the game:

✅ Stay hydrated
✅ Wear sunscreen if watching outdoors
✅ Drive sober and buckle up
✅ Keep food safe at gatherings
✅ Look out for friends and family

Enjoy the excitement, make great memories, and celebrate responsibly!

Learn more safety tips: https://www.cdc.gov/soccer/index.html

06/15/2026

⚠️The Franklin Health Department is sharing an important consumer safety notice regarding a nationwide recall:
⚠️On June 13, 2026, Nara Organics recalled all Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula because of possible health risk of infant botulism.
🍼Nara Organics infant formula is a powdered infant formula sold at Target retail stores, Target.com, and Nara.com.
🚫Consumers should stop using all Nara Organics infant formula immediately.
▪️Parents and caregivers should monitor infants for signs and symptoms of infant botulism. Infant botulism often begins with constipation but may first be noticed as:
• Difficulty feeding (trouble sucking and swallowing)
• A weak or altered cry
• Loss of muscle tone (loss of head control, decreased facial expression)
▪️Seek care if your infant consumed Nara Organics infant formula and shows signs or symptoms of infant botulism.
🌐For more information please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/outbreaks-investigations/infant-formula-june-2026/index.html
📣Please help share this information with families and caregivers in our community.

06/12/2026

🌡️ Beat the Heat! 🌡️

Looking for a place to stay cool during the upcoming heat wave? Franklin residents can visit one of these cooling centers:

📍 Franklin Senior Center
10 Daniel McCahill Street
Monday–Friday | 8:30 AM–4:00 PM

📍 Franklin Public Library
118 Main Street
Monday–Thursday | 9:00 AM–8:00 PM
Friday & Saturday | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

📍 New England Chapel
300 E. Central Street
This Sunday June 14, 2026 | 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Remember to drink plenty of water, limit outdoor activity during peak heat, and check on family, friends, and neighbors who may need assistance. Stay cool and stay safe! ☀️💧

Address

355 E. Central Street
Franklin, MA
02038

Website

https://www.franklinma.gov/444/Board-of-Health

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