Westbrook, CT - Health Department

09/29/2026

Some helpful tips as we continue to deal with ticks during the Fall months.

09/25/2026

In preparation for for the upcoming storm: ⛈️

Practice Food Safety during power outages!
--Make sure you have thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer.
--Check to ensure that the freezer temperature is at or below 0° F, and the refrigerator is at or below 40° F.
--In case of a power outage, the thermometers will indicate the temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer to help you determine if the food is safe.

If the Power Goes Out:
--Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
--The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if unopened.
--A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.

After a Disaster or Emergency:
Throw away the following food:
--Perishable food that has not been refrigerated or frozen properly due to power outages
--Food that may have come in contact with floodwater or stormwater
--Food with an unusual odor, color, or texture.

After a Power Outage:
Determine the safety of your food:
--If a thermometer was kept in the freezer, check the temperature when the power comes back on. If the freezer thermometer reads 40° F or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen.
--If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. You can’t rely on appearance or odor alone. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40° F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.
--Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than 4 hours and the refrigerator door was kept shut. --Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or leftovers) that has been at temperatures above 40° F for 2 hours or more (or 1 hour if temperatures are above 90º F).

Throw out the following foods:
--All perishable foods (including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) in your refrigerator when the power has been off for 4 hours or more.
--All perishable foods in your freezer if they have thawed.
--You can safely refreeze or cook food from the freezer if the food still contains ice crystals and feels as cold as if refrigerated.

Stay Safe, Westbrook!

Westbrook Emergency Management
Town of Westbrook Ct
Connecticut Department of Public Health

09/24/2026

Westbrook Health Department staff is pleased to be in attendance at this years Yankee Conference on Environmental Health in Mystic, CT. This annual conference allows staff to learn about the latest environmental health topics and network with our public health colleagues from across New England.

Thank you to the CT Environmental Health Association for hosting such a valuable educational conference.

09/23/2026

The respiratory illness season is upon us. Stay prepared by attending one of the dates listed in the attached flyer!

Pre-register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/GLh4vadQnP
Pre-registration is not required, but will ensure we have supply for you.

09/14/2026

Town of Westbrook Ordinance requires property owners to pump their septic tank at least once every 5 years.

The Westbrook Health Department and Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) track septic tank pump outs. If a property shows that it's been more than 5 years since the last time the septic tank was pumped out, the WPCA will mail the property owner a Reminder Pump Out Postcard.

We urge all Westbrook property owners to comply with this Pump Out Ordinance, as it aims to ensure septic systems are properly functioning and thus protecting public health and the environment.

Connecticut Department of Public Health recommends pumping your septic tank every 3-5 years. More frequent pumping is suggested if you use a garbage disposal, have a large family, or have an undersized septic tank. Failure to pump your septic tank on a regular schedule may result in an excessive buildup of solids inside the tank.

An estimated 40% of Connecticut residents, close to 1.5 million people, live in homes served by subsurface sewage disposal systems, AKA Septic Systems. The purpose of a septic system is to dispose of domestic wastewater or sewage from a building in such a manner as to protect public health and the environment.

All residences, businesses, and schools in the Town of Westbrook are served by septic systems.

Pumping your septic tank is the single most important thing you can do to protect your septic system.

For more information on septic systems, please visit the Connecticut Department of Public Health Environmental Engineering website: https://portal.ct.gov/dph/programs/health-and-the-environment/environmental-engineering-program/subsurface-sewage-disposal-systems?language=en_US

09/10/2026

🦟 Mosquitoes in Connecticut are still very active and will continue to be until late October when we experience the first hard freeze of the season.

Take preventative steps to avoid being bit! 🦟

Mosquito Information here: https://portal.ct.gov/mosquito

09/10/2026

Su***de prevention starts with connection. A conversation, a kind word, or simply checking in can make a difference.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide free and confidential support.

Together, we can help create a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported.

Connecticut Department of Public Health

08/27/2026

🚨 Connecticut reports its first human case of West Nile virus this year.

The Middlesex County man in his 30s, became ill in early August, was hospitalized, and has since recovered. Risk remains elevated: The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has detected WNV in mosquito pools in 34 Connecticut towns this season.

As summer winds down, it’s still important to protect yourself from mosquito bites:

🦟 Use EPA-registered insect repellent
👕 Wear long sleeves and pants when possible
🌅 Limit time outdoors from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active
💧 Remove standing water around your home at least once a week

Most people infected with WNV do not develop symptoms, but the virus can cause serious illness, particularly in adults age 60 and older. Learn more about West Nile virus and how to protect yourself and your family: https://ow.ly/cfHK50ZG8AP

08/26/2026

🦇 This year, there has been an increase in the number of bats submitted to the Westbrook Health Department for rabies testing. Fortunately, all bats have tested negative for rabies.

Any bat that has had the potential to be in contact with a Westbrook resident is eligible to be submitted to the Westbrook Health Department for rabies testing. This includes bats that residents have found in a bedroom where someone has been sleeping. If there's uncertainty on whether someone has been exposed, please contact the Westbrook Health Department and we will facilitate having the bat tested for rabies expeditiously.

Residents can retain the services of a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) to assist in capturing a bat inside a home.
A list of NWCO's in Connecticut can be found here:https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/nwco/nwcodirpdf.pdf

Bats play a vital role in our ecosystem, and they do not all carry rabies, as seen by our test results. it's important to recognize possible signs of rabies in bats. Unusual behaviors that could indicate rabies include bats that:

--Are active during the day
--Are found in unusual places (inside a home or on the ground)
--Are unable to fly or you can easily approach
--Have made contact with you as they usually avoid humans

It's important to prevent bats from getting into your home. Bats can fit through tiny openings as small as ¼ inch. An animal control or wildlife conservation agency can "batproof" your home. You can also take steps to batproof on your own.

--Check for any openings that bats could use to get inside.
--Caulk any openings larger than a dime.
--Use screens, chimney caps, and draft guards to seal attic doors.
--Fill electrical and plumbing holes with steel wool or caulk.
--Ensure all doors to the outside close tightly.

More information on preventing Bat exposure can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/bats.html

08/26/2026