Meriden Health Talk

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are talking about what winter burnout is, why it happens, and most importantly how to cope with it in a positive way that actually works.

Winter burnout is that mid-winter crash and can happen for a few reasons, including:

• Shorter daylight hours and reduced sunlight exposure,
• Disrupted sleep cycles,
• Colder weather could be limiting movement and outdoor exercise, and
• Increased work pr...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, our Early Childhood Coordinator is here to talk about an upcoming webinar for parents/caregivers on screen time.

Technology and screen use are part of a child's world today. It is here and not going away. Join Meriden Early Start in partnership with 211 for an important discussion regarding attitudes towards screen time, current research, and to talk about how to use screen time wisely. 

Tues...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, our Environmental Health Office is here to give you some food safety tips as you are gearing up for your game day spread. 

Tip #1: Wash your hands with soap and water before cooking, after handling raw meat, and before serving food. And don’t forget surfaces! Cutting boards, counters, and serving utensils should be cleaned and sanitized, especially if you’re prepping raw chicken for those win...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we’re talking about something that might not sound exciting—but is super important: snow removal safety.

Every winter, thousands of people get hurt while shoveling snow or using snow-removal equipment. The good news? Most of those injuries are completely preventable. So let’s walk through some simple tips to help you stay safe while clearing snow this season.

First and foremost, before you ...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, our Early Childhood Coordinator is here to talk about an upcoming webinar for parents/caregivers on screen time.

Technology and screen use are part of a child's world today. It is here and not going away. Join Meriden Early Start in partnership with 211 for an important discussion regarding attitudes towards screen time, current research, and to talk about how to use screen time wisely. 

Tues...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are here to talk about one of the most important topics as a New Englander – how to prepare for winter weather. 

Let’s start where you spend most of your time: your home.

• If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, have your chimney or flue inspected each year.
• Each winter season have your furnace system and vent checked by a qualified technician to ensure they...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, our Environmental Health Office is here to talk about Radon.

Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless radioactive gas that comes from the decay of uranium found in soil, rocks, and water. It moves through the ground and can seep into homes through cracks in the foundation, walls, or floors.

The biggest health risk associated with radon it its link to lung cancer. It is the second l...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are talking about simple, realistic tips to help you have a healthy and happy new year.

1. Eat mindfully. Eating well does not have to mean giving up all the foods you love; it’s about balance. Focus on colorful vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. Don’t stress over every meal but rather aim for more mindful eating in general.
2. Stay active. Staying active can be tough i...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, Victoria George from Rushford in Meriden is back to talk to you about certain risks that alcohol and drugs pose to young people and our community, particularly during the holiday season.

For many families, the holidays are a time for travel, celebration, and connection. Yet on the nation’s roadways, this season of joy often comes with a troubling rise in drunk driving crashes.

According to th...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we want to talk about Naloxone, also known as Narcan, and why it is important.

Naloxone, also known as Narcan™, is a lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medication. It is a short acting medication that can reverse a lethal dosage of opioids by temporarily blocking the effects of the drug. Naloxone restores someone's ability to breath allowing time to access medical attention.

Naloxone is ea...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are happy to welcome Victoria George from Rushford/the Meriden Healthy Youth Coalition to talk to us about mental health during the holiday season. 

The holidays are often portrayed as a time of joy, family gatherings, and celebrations, but for many of us, they can bring a lot of stress, anxiety, and even sadness.

But here’s the thing: It’s okay to not feel okay during the holidays. There’...

In this episode of, Meriden Health Talk, we are talking about toy safety as December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month! 

Here are some considerations as you are out shopping for that perfect gift:

• A lot of new and interesting items come to the home during the holiday season and small children explore their world by putting things in their mouths. A good rule of thumb is that if an item is small enough for your child to put...

In this episode of, Meriden Health Talk, we are hearing from our two Parent Ambassadors from the Meriden Early Start Program! 

Meriden Early Start is the new state-funded early care and education program that launched in July 2025. It combines 3 existing programs- child daycare contracts, School Readiness Grants, and State Head Start Supplement Grants- into 1 new program. 

Our Parent Ambassadors' role is to serve as advocates for f...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, our Environmental Health staff is offering guidance on how to safely prepare and handle food to avoid foodborne illness this Thanksgiving!

• One very important thing to remember is handwashing. Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and warm water before handling food and especially after handling raw meat.
• Raw meat, poultry and seafood should be kept separate from other foods to prev...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, Rhonda Knight, our Early Childhood Coordinator is talking about the Meriden Early Start program!

Meriden Early Start is a state-funded early childhood education program that helps young children build strong foundations for lifelong learning. Imagine a classroom filled with discovery—toddlers stacking blocks, preschoolers exploring letters through play, and infants reaching milestones with ge...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are talking about septic systems! Do you know if your home is on a septic system or city sewer? Septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures on your property that treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, showers, kitchen drains and laundry. 

If you have questions regarding your septic system, you can contact our Environmental Health Office at (203) ...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we connected with Rushford, one of our community partners, to talk about our Meriden Opioid Referral for Recovery program, known as MORR. Thank you to Rushford for recording this podcast episode.

People CAN and DO recover, and we are here to help. The Meriden Opioid Referral for Recovery program, known as MORR, is designed to meet individuals wherever they are at in their recovery journey and...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are back to talk more about lead and some things you want to look for if you question whether you or your child would be exposed to lead.  

Housing – Any home that was built prior to 1978 has the potential to have lead.  If the house was built before 1950, it is almost certain to have lead.  We would look for any painted surface that appears to have multiple layers of paint, and if the pai...

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are talking about some important safety tips to keep your Halloween happy and safe!

Be street smart. Always use sidewalks and crosswalks.

• Walk, don’t run – and look both ways before crossing the street.
• Children under 12 years of age should be accompanied by an adult for trick-or-treating.

Stay visible by carrying a flashlight or glow stick.

• Add reflective tape to costumes ...