For a Healthy Northwest Corner

The Torrington Area Health District provides health services and information to twenty cities, towns and boroughs within the Northwest corner of Connecticut.  Our goal is to promote and to protect the physical and environmental well-being of the citizens of the TAHD through direct services, wellness and promotion programs and community efforts.

This website provides information on many of our programs and services, as well as downloads for some of the necessary forms and applications for submission. We will strive to update all necessary information, as well as provide you with links to other informative sites.

EMERGENCY PROTOCOL FOR FOOD SERVICE

ESTABLISHMENTS AFTER A POWER OUTAGE/STORM
 
 
Food establishments must meet the following basic conditions prior to resuming food preparation and /or sale of potentially hazardous foods:
 
 
  • You need to determine the safety of your food.  If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, check the temperature when power comes back on.  If the freezer thermometer reads 45 degrees F or lower, the food is safe and may be refrozen.
 
  • If the 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.  If the food still contains ice crystals or is 45 degrees 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 above 45 degrees F for two or more hours.
 
  • Keep in mind that perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, and eggs that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause illness if consumed, even when they are thoroughly cooked.
 
  • Electricity and gas services have been restored.
 
  • All circuit breakers have been properly reset.
 
  • All equipment and facilities are operating properly, including: lighting, refrigeration, hot holding, ventilation, and bathrooms.
 
  • Hot and cold potable water, within appropriate water pressure range, is available for consumption, hand washing and proper dishwashing.
 
  • If the potability of the water system supplying water to the food establishment is compromised, the establishment must remain closed until the food establishment can demonstrate to the local health dept. an approved alternate interim water source is provided.
 
  • Condition of the physical structure of the establishment should be in compliance with local building and occupancy codes in a manner that does not compromise the safe and sanitary handling of food and equipment or the safety of the employees.

NOTICE

05/3/2020
​Office Protocol Changes
As part of our continued response to the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis, the Torrington Area Health District has initiated protocols intended to ensure the safety of the public and the staff here at the TAHD.  The main lobby is open for business with proper social distancing required and we require that all visitors wear a suitable mask. 
The Litchfield Hills Water Testing Laboratory is once again accepting water samples for private wells.  Kits are available at the main office of the TAHD at 350 Main Street, Torrington.
 Applications, payments, plans, documents and other correspondence can be brought to our office at 350 Main Street, Torrington or you may wish to mail your documents.  
Phone lines, emails and mail continue to be available to the public if you would like to reach a representative of the TAHD.  
 Thank you for your cooperation

Coronavirus Information
Dial 211 OR 1-800-203-1234 for COVID-19 information

Click Here for official Coronavirus information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Share Facts, Stop Fear   
Here are the guidance documents for each of the "Sectors" as they open in the coming weeks.  Click the link and find your area of interest.
​Sector Rules for Reopening CT
click here for the Patio (outdoor dining) Approval

Guidance for workers in essential businesses including food service who have been exposed to COVID-19
​
Travel Advisory FAQ plus a link to included states
Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
Information for Healthcare Professionals
Information for Daycare establishments 
Information for Personal Care Establishments (hair and nail salons etc.)
Resources for Parents and Children from the McCall Center
Charlotte Hungerford Hospital FAQ about drive through testing
Some excellent guidance for Food Service Establishments on re-opening your restaurants

​City of Torrington launches its new Community Update, Click HERE

Governor's office launches the 211 info-line for Coronavirus  COVID 19 questions

Click here for the Governor's Executive Orders
Check often as this is evolving and changing daily

Click here for a link to the Connecticut Department of Public Health
DPH Coronavirus Info
​
​

Governor Lamont Encourages Connecticut Residents to Use the ‘How We Feel’ App to Improve COVID-19 Response.  Tap here for more information

One of many amazing social distancing examples, this one is from Ohio Health Department.

Picture
Click Here for Vaccines for Children in Spanish
​
Click here for Vaccines for Chilren in Creol French

Memory Loss Support Group
Meets at the TAHD main office
every Monday at 2 PM
Click here for details

Earn your State required Certified Food Protection Manager
​(formerly QFO) certification through the CRA’s ServSafe Manager course.
Click Here for Details
Click here for the registration form

Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is offering a smoking cessation class in January.
click here to see details.
​Make 2020 the year you quit for good!
​

September is National Preparedness Month!
​But this stuff is good all year long!
Click here for a great graphic on preparing yourself and your family for emergencies or disasters

Click here or on the logo for
Opioid Related Information
Disposal of Unused/Unwanted Prescription Medication
Click here for a drop box near you!

https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Drug-Control-Division/Drug-Control/Local-Drug-Collection-Boxes
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Rabies 
​Don't handle wild animals!
​Vaccinate your pets!


Click HERE for an excellent brochure on Rabies
​Click HERE for information on Animal Rehabilitation

News & Events                                            
​Click on the topics below for information



2018 Changes to the Subsurface Sewage Disposal Technical Standards are available.  Engineers, Installers, Surveyors, and Sanitarians may sign up for review sessions throughout CT.  Click for details.

Click here for a copy of the Technical Standards for Subsurface Sewage Disposal.

Litchfield County Opiate Task Force Brochure. 

The State Health Department has released this warning regarding flame retardant chemicals on children's furniture and clothing.  Click Here for Information 

Commit to Quit FREE Smoking Cessation Help from the State Health Department.  Click here for details

Check to see if your local police station has a prescription drug drop box

The CDC has suggestions on how to dispose of your unused medications. See also the great little video above!

Carbon Monoxide Information Poster (pdf)

Alzheimer's Association website with some very good information and help-line - Click here

A nice little graphic from the CDC for Heart Month!

Litchfield County Opiate Taskforce is pleased to offer this Substance Abuse and Mental Health Resource Guide 

New guidelines from the State Health Department Laboratory regarding Rabies Testing

Lead Poisoning Prevention Program - State Dept. of Public Health has some great information for you, click here.

Keep Your Child from Getting and Spreading Enterovirus D68

TICKS and MOSQUITOES and BEDBUGS and Related Information
FOOD AND WATER Related Information