One of the things everyone expects when they live in a big city is a good amount of health and safety services, both privately and publicly funded. Living in a rural area comes with some inherent risks, including a lack of services which can really only exist in larger centers. However, people with a Philadelphia zip code should and do expect that the city will have the resources available to both ensure their safety and to take care of them should they fall ill.

Well, the city of brotherly love is certainly not lacking in either area. Sheer size alone means that Philadelphia offers health and safety services at several levels, including a vast array of public services. Let's take a look at a few of them.

First of all, there are the nine different health centers run in specific parts of the city. These centers house several different public health initiatives. They include testing areas, dental clinics, and walk-in clinics. One can also expect to find counseling services in these centers along with numbers for businesses specializing in everything from child care to home health care. London and other major cities would do well to learn from Philadelphia's example in the health center area!

Of course, every city needs a place where citizens can go in case of a health emergency. Philadelphia has several different hospitals, trauma centers, and specialty clinics which offer a wide range of assistance to people with various health conditions. While some of these services in themselves pose certain health risks ( in a hospital, for example, there is always risk for those exposed to radiation) products such as shielding protect workers and visitors alike from health hazards.

That pro-active approach to health maintenance is also exemplified in several steps taken by the city of Philadelphia in regard to both residential and commercial use of land within the city. Most people are aware of the concerns regarding contamination of a city's water supply. That's why both the city of Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania stipulate that certain water treatment chemicals must be applied to industrial effluent before it is discharged into the ground or into another water supply.

Likewise, the city takes seriously the protection of its workers. It's a historical fact that without the intervention of various levels of government, businesses cut corners in some safety areas. Laws regarding what equipment must be protected with a fire sleeve and what safety equipment must be used on a job serves to protect workers within the industrial environment.

Residentially, the city maintains careful monitoring and maintenance of water and sewer services, among other things. The latest in vacuum pump systems keep residential water safe to drink and for other household uses, paid for by the municipal taxes and other fees levied on residents.