Two Health Dept Facilities Still Without Power on July 13

Electricity has been restored to all Lake County Health Department facilities except Mid-Lakes Community Health Center in Round Lake Beach and Avon Township Outpatient Services in Round Lake Park. Periodic updates are available at: (847) 377-8000.

Following are some tips from the Health Department for residents who still lack electricity:

•A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for 48 hours. However, two days have passed since Monday's storm. This means that any food you still have in your refrigerator or freezer (that has been without power) most likely needs to be thrown out. The rule is that frozen foods need to be below zero in temperature and refrigerated foods need to be below 40 degrees. It is not worth it to take a chance and eat something that can make you sick. Don't try to determine whether food is edible by its smell. The things in food that can make you sick you can't smell.

•If you lack air conditioning it is important to avoid heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Open windows, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Visit public places such as malls, libraries, etc. during the hottest time of the day, or stay in your basement.

•Don't expend energy cleaning up the branches in your yard during the middle of the day.

•Check on elderly neighbors.

•Use flashlights or other battery-powered lights if possible instead of candles. If you must use them, place candles in safe holders away from anything that could catch fire. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

•Never use generators, grills, or other gasoline-, propane-, or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, garage, carport or near doors, windows or vents since they produce carbon monoxide.