Bartow, Florida -- The Polk County Health Department is reminding parents and guardians that back-to-school is just around the corner. 

It's time, according to health officials, to check the immunization status of children to be sure they meet school requirements.

"We encourage everyone to get your child up-to-date with their immunizations and not wait for the school rush," said Dr. Daniel O. Haight, PCHD Director.

Bartow, Florida -- The Hearing Loss Association of America Meeting at the Lakeland Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) will meet Thursday, July 12 at 6 p.m.

The meeting will take place in the Community Room of the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center, located at 3020 Lakeland Highlands Road in Lakeland.

The meetings, open to the public,are designed to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy in the local community.

Bartow - With the temperatures beginning to rise, the Polk County Health Department is urging people to take steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, such as heat stress, exhaustion, and stroke.

More than 3,000 people are seen each year in emergency rooms for heat-related illnesses.

Warning signs of heat exhaustion vary, but may include heavy sweating, fast, shallow breathing, headaches, paleness, a weak pulse, dizziness, muscle cramps, moist cool skin, nausea, tiredness, vomiting or fainting.