McCook Apartments receive smoke-free designation

McCook Apartments Manager Jan Wiemers and staff member Dick Woolwine post their Smoke Free Apartments Available sign. Jan and Owner, Gloria Homeier of Pentad Properties II have worked diligently to develop their smoke free policy that will benefit their residents.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook Apartments, located at 906 East E Street, have achieved Smoke Free designation for their buildings. Owner, Gloria Homeier of Pentad Properties II and Manager, Jan Wiemers have worked diligently with their staff to provide this opportunity for tenants.

Jan found materials from Smoke Free Nebraska helpful for the tenants. She shared statistics from their information, "Air quality studies in apartment buildings show that anywhere from 5% to 60% of the air in an apartment unit moves to other units in the building." Contrary to popular belief, secondhand smoke cannot be controlled by ventilation or air cleaning.

"Gloria and Jan are to be congratulated for this step to protect tenants, especially children, from the effects of secondhand smoke," complimented Denise Ringenberg, Health Educator at Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department. "We want to recognize McCook Apartments for their efforts and encourage other landlords to consider similar action."

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department will assist area Housing Agencies and private landlords implementing smoke free policies. Additional materials are also available to assist in creating awareness of smoke free housing.

If you are interested in receiving information on Smoke Free Housing, please contact Denise Ringenberg at educate@swhealth.ne.gov, review the web site at http://www.swhealthdept.com/health.htm , call the office at 308-345-4223 or visit us at 404 West 10th Street -- one block north of Arby's.

SWNPHD is also on Facebook and Twitter. The health department serves Chase, Dundy, Hayes, Hitchcock, Frontier, Furnas, Perkins and Red Willow counties.