Tag: Environmental Health
Protect yourself against ticks
Wisconsin summers bring beautiful weather. Some see this as an opportunity to crank the air conditioning, but many will take advantage of this opportunity to get outdoors. When you are taking in the scenic lakefront, hiking the Ice Age Trail, or some other outdoor activity, the most common pest you might encounter are mosquitoes. While these are a nuisance, there is another insect to look out for — ticks. Ticks are a type of parasite that attach to a host organism and feed off them. There are a variety of tick species in Wisconsin. According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Entomology, most common are the wood and deer tick. Although small, ticks can carry a number of diseases. The Wisconsin Division of Public Health lists Anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, and, most prominently, Lyme disease as examples. Data from the Center for Disease Control show a decrease from 20102015 in the number of people contracting Lyme disease in Wisconsin each year. However, those numbers are still higher than other states, with 1,309 confirmed cases in 2015, which is why Wisconsinites need to protect themselves from ticks. To learn how to protect yourself against ticks, here are answers to some key questions:
A well-cared for lawn makes for a healthy lake
Being in Sheboygan County lends us the great gift of having a national treasure almost on our doorstep: Lake Michigan. So often taken for granted, the secondlargest Great Lake and its surrounding rivers provide some of the most treasured summer fun.
Practice beach safety this summer in Sheboygan
The gorgeous Sheboygan summer days are finally here! Now is the time to take advantage of the weather and be active with your family on the beautiful beaches of Sheboygan County. Before you throw on those flip flops and run to the beach, remember that safety is priority No.1.
Take the bite out of winter and protect your skin
Winter is upon us. If frigid temperatures and dangerous wind chills repeat themselves this season, it’s important to have a refresher in taking care of yourself and avoiding frostbite.
Tips for safer outdoor grilling this summer
Outdoor grilling is a popular activity in Wisconsin’s “warm” summer months. However, summer is also the peak season for foodborne illnesses. Follow these safe thawing and grilling tips to keep your family safe while enjoying cookouts all season long.
Safety important to remember at the county fair
With the summer winding down many Sheboygan County residents’ favorite event is coming: the Sheboygan County Fair. It is important to remember safety for not only yourself, but also your loved ones at events like this. It is easy to get caught up in the fair atmosphere and forget about obvious safety tips. Some important places safety needs to be remembered are with children, on the amusement rides, and around the animals.
Tips to prevent heat-related illnesses
With the weather finally becoming nice, everyone wants to be outside. However, the summer heat can be a danger just as much as the cold can be in winter.
Small bugs can cause big problems
The summer weather we have all been waiting for is finally here! After the long and cold winter you may be anxious to get outside and enjoy the beautiful parks, beaches, and campsites of Sheboygan County. Before you run out the door, remember to apply insect repellent to protect your family and pets from insect bites and illnesses common in our area.