New Canaan Health Department

08/26/2026

08/19/2026

Mosquito bites can spread West Nile virus, but a few simple steps can help lower your risk: use repellent, wear protective clothing, and eliminate standing water around your home! 🦟

07/27/2026

Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance - they can spread diseases that impact our health. Take simple steps to protect yourself, your family, and your community this season. 🦟

07/15/2026

❗Smoke from wildfires in Canada is impacting air quality across Connecticut. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and other sensitive groups may be more likely to experience health effects. Before spending extended time outdoors, check current air quality and forecasts at AirNow.gov❗

07/14/2026

❗️🦟Mosquito season is here and mosquito-borne illnesses have been detected in Connecticut. Now is the time to take steps to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites. Use EPA-registered inspect repellent, remove standing water around your home, and take extra precautions at dawn and dusk 🦟❗️

07/13/2026

Mental Health First Aid can help you recognize the signs of someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis and teach you how to respond with confidence.

Join Darien and New Canaan Human Services for this 2-day certification training on August 3rd and 4th. Space is limited to 15 participants from each town, so register early!

See the flyer for more information!

07/05/2026

Yesterday's severe storms left much of New Canaan without power. It's important to keep food safety in mind to help prevent foodborne illness.

Here are a few key reminders:

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about 4 hours, and a full freezer for about 48 hours (24 hours if half full). When power returns, frozen food that still contains ice crystals or is at 41°F or below is safe to refreeze or cook.

• If your power was out for more than 4 hours, discard perishable foods that have been above 41°F. This includes meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, milk, soft cheeses, cooked leftovers, and cut fruits and vegetables.

• When in doubt, throw it out. Food that looks or smells fine may still contain harmful bacteria if it has been kept at an unsafe temperature.

• Never taste food to determine if it is safe.

• Use a food thermometer if available. Refrigerated foods should be kept at 41°F or below.

As power is restored across our community, please continue to check your food before consuming it. Stay safe and consider sharing these reminders with friends and neighbors who may still be without power.

For a complete list of which foods to keep or discard after a power outage, visit https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/food-safety-during-power-outage. This Power Outage Food Safety Chart provides detailed guidance for refrigerated and frozen foods.

07/03/2026

Planning to fire up the grill this holiday weekend? Keep your celebration safe by separating raw and cooked foods, cooking meets to safe internal temperatures, and refrigerating leftovers promptly.

Remember: poultry should reach 165°F, ground meats 160°F, and steaks, chops, and fish 145°F. Use a food thermometer to be sure - color alone isn't a reliable indicator of "doneness"!

07/01/2026

As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illness. Drink plenty of water, limit strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, and check on older adults, young children, and others who may be more vulnerable to the heat.

06/30/2026

A heat wave is expected to impact New Canaan - take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.

💧Stay hydrated.
🏠Keep cool.
🌞Limit outdoor activity.
🧑‍🦳Check on older adults, young children, neighbors, and anyone at risk.

Know the signs of heat-related illness, and call 911 immediately if someone shows signs of heat stroke.