EDGEWOOD, KY (FOX19) - St. Elizabeth Healthcare is going tobacco-free on December 31, 2011. The announcement comes in conjunction with November being Lung Cancer Awareness Month and November 17 being the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout.

It's a move most other hospitals in the region have made.

St. Elizabeth says as a healthcare organization, they are committed to the health and safety of their employees and patients, and believe that they have a responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue, and establishing their entire campus as tobacco-free firmly supports that belief.

The U.S. Surgeon General has confirmed that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke is a serious health hazard and that there is no risk-free level of exposure.

HEBRON, KY (FOX19) - Firefighters in Hebron say that they, along with firefighters across the Tri-State and the country, are asking homeowners and renters to make sure they change the batteries in their Smoke Detectors when they change their Clocks this upcoming weekend. Smoke Detectors are a vital part of your home and should be checked once a month as well as cleaned. 

Every year, approximately 2,600 Americans die in home fires. Over half of these deaths (52%) occur between the hours of 10:00 pm and 7:00 am, when residents are typically sleeping. Smoke and toxic gases from a home fire are as deadly as heat and flames. Just two or three breaths of toxic smoke can render you unconscious. The majority of fire victims die or are injured from exposure to smoke and toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, not actual burns.

ERLANGER, KY (FOX19) - In recognition of World Stroke Day, the St. Elizabeth Healthcare CardioVascular Mobile Health Unit will host Dining for the Mind, an information session focused on stroke prevention and ways to recognize the signs and symptoms.

St. Elizabeth’s Regional Diabetes Center, Weight Management Center and Holistic Health Center will also provide additional information.

The event is at 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., Saturday, October 29 at METS Center, 3861 Olympic Boulevard, Erlanger, KY 41018

According to the American Stroke Association, each year about 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation's third leading cause of death. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every four minutes. Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability, and thus is the most common medical problem that disrupts our lives.