Family Health

The Neighbor Notification Law, Chapter 691 of the Laws of Westchester County, provides that notification is required when pesticides are sold or applied.

Commercial Pesticide Applicators are required to notify property owners of pesticide application to property abutting them 48 hours in advance of application.

Property Owners are required to inform the occupants of dwellings that abut the property being treated with pesticides 24 hours in advance of application.

Retailers are required to post signs close to pesticides instructing applicators to comply with the notification requirements.

Homeowners are required to post visual notification markers (signs) prior to applying pesticides to more than 100 sq. ft. of their property.

Find out what pesticides are subject to the Neighbor Notification Law in Westchester County.

Printable versions of visual notification markers (En español) (lawn signs) and retail information signs (En español) are available in pdf format. The signs must be printed on brightly colored paper and text may not be changed. Please see the Neighbor Notification Law for posting requirements.

A basic reality is that children will have to make their way in a world that is filled with opportunities to use drugs, but parents can prepare their children to make positive choices.

Learn
Parents need to get educated about the risks now. If parents have a working knowledge of common drugs, know their effects on the mind and body, and the symptoms of their use they can discuss these subjects intelligently with their children.

• Know the different types of drugs most commonly used and the dangers associated with each.
• Be able to identify paraphernalia associated with each drug; be familiar with the street names of drugs; know what drugs look like.
• Know the signs of drug use signs of drug use and be alert for changes in your child's behavior or appearance.

Communicate
Parents need to know that the most important thing to remember when it comes to talking about difficult subjects like drinking and drugs is that it's not a five-minute "talk."

Communication with your teen:

• Make a plan
• Present the facts
• Listen
• Discuss
• Set rules
• Set clear consequences - reward good behavior
• Recognize road blocks
• Continue the conversation

Take Action
It is a critical time for your family once you suspect – or know – that your son or daughter is using drugs or alcohol.

Know that many other families have had to work through these difficult times just like you. The most important thing is for you to take action on your child’s behalf the first time that you suspect drug or alcohol use.

Monitoring skills for parents: 

• Ask questions - who, what, when and where. Have your kids check in with you regularly.
• Be prepared and know the facts. Parents are the first line of defense when it comes to teen drug use. 
• Make your position clear. Don't assume your teenager knows where you stand. Tell your children that you forbid them to use alcohol, tobacco and drugs because you love them.
• Make the rules of the house clear to your teenager.
• Monitor internet use.
• Be a good role model.

Resources  

•  How to Prevent Drunk Driving
•  Short and long-term effects of Marijuana (NIH)
•  Useful Drug, Alcohol and Addiction Acronyms You Should Know 

Topical Issues

• Inhalants
• Prescription Drugs
• Steroids/Sports Supplements
• Over-the-Counter
• Commonly Abused Drugs (Medline)
• DXM (Cough Medicine)

More Information

• The new D.A.R.E. Program
• Safe and Drug Free Schools

It’s never too late to quit smoking. Quitting smoking now improves your health and reduces your risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease, and other smoking-related illnesses.

 Telephone Quit Services

• NY Smoke Free: 1-866-697-8487
• Centers for Disease Control: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
  1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569) (Español)
  1-800-838-8917 (中文)
  1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
  1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)

Texting Quit Services

• NY State:  DropTheVape text support program.
• CDC: Text QUITNOW to 333888
            Texto DÉJELO YA al 333888 (Español)

Support Groups for Quitting

• American Cancer Society:  1-800-277-2345
• American Lung Association: 1-800-LUNGUSA

Publications

• No Smoking sign: suitable to print and post

Web Resources:

• Smokefree.gov provides tools to help you quit.
• The Great American Smokeout offers tips and strategies for your smoke-free start.
• POW'R Against Tobacco Coalition is a four county coalition that was founded in 1992 to reduce the risk of tobacco-related diseases by lowering the prevalence of tobacco use in Putnam, Orange, Westchester and Rockland Counties.
• New York State Smokers' Quitline offers:  Free starter kit of nicotine patches, gum or lozenges for eligible NYS smokers, trained quitline specialists offering help with quit plans, information about local stop smoking programs, informational taped messages, tobacco trivia, secondhand smoke facts.
• American Cancer Society. Information on research, treatment, support groups and on-line chat group and smoking cessation. Also offers personalized treatment and decision feature. Information available in Spanish.
• The American Lung Association (ALA) is the oldest voluntary health organization in the United States, with a national office and constituent and affiliate associations around the country. Founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis, ALA today fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health. Its website provides information on latest research on environmental and health topics as well as educational programs, and news on related fronts.
• The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) is the information service of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NCADI is the world's largest resource for information and materials concerning substance abuse. Services include an information services staff (English, Spanish, hearing impaired capability) equipped to respond to the public's alcohol, tobacco, and drug inquiries.

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. One in two long-term smokers will die from a smoking-related disease. 

Lung disease is among the many illnesses and disabilities smoking causes. Smoking causes most cases of lung cancer and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), weakens the immune system, and increases the risk of respiratory infections.

E-Cigarettes
Many people think that e-cigarettes are safe alternatives to smoking regular cigarettes. They're not! Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which causes addiction. When youth smoke e-cigarettes it can harm brain function and lead to continued tobacco product use. Get the facts about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes.   

Need Help?
Don't go it alone. Quitting smoking is hard on your own. It often takes smokers many attempts before quitting. Maybe you have been thinking about quitting. Maybe you have already quit and have some helpful tips to share.  Maybe you are trying to quit right now. Want help quitting? Go no further than your own backyard.

NY State is doubling your chances of quitting by offering free Nicotine Replacement Patches. See if you are eligible for a free starter kit.

Smoking Cessation Help Phone Numbers

• NY Smoke Free - 1-866-697-8487
• Centers for Disease Control - 1-800-QUIT-NOW
• American Cancer Society support groups - 1-800-277-2345
• American Lung Association - find a clinic near you, call 1-800-LUNGUSA
   

What to do when craving nicotine. The 5D’s:

• Delay smoking when you get the urge. It will pass.
• Drink water, chew gum or have a healthy snack to fight cravings.
• Do something else to distract yourself. Take a walk, call a friend, keep your hands busy by doing chores or squeezing a rubber ball.
• Deep breathing will relax you. Close your eyes and take 10 slow deep breaths or meditate.
• Discuss your thoughts and feelings with someone close to you.