By: Andrea Tofte, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and Grace Grinager, Public Health Supervisor

We all look forward to the magic of summertime on the North Shore. As we enjoy the long hours of sunlight, it’s important to also stay prepared for the season’s risks: recognize the potential need to evacuate due to forest fire, knowi how to act on poor air quality days, and understand how to respond to the threat of tickborne diseases. As our summers increasingly record high temperatures and prolonged dry spells during fire season, these risks are becoming more commonplace. It is up to each of us to know how to respond to keep ourselves and our loved ones safer.

The risk of a forest fire in our area is currently high, so having an idea of what an evacuation plan might look like for your household is a smart way to be prepared. Sign up for Code Red through the Cook County Sheriff's Office to get local emergency alerts—including evacuation notices. Monitor for updates on emergency situations through reliable local news outlets, including radio updates through WTIP.  Make sure that you have a Go Bag ready and determine a potential meeting point out of the area to reconvene with household members. In the case of an actual evacuation, you would receive a physical notice to evacuate, issued by the Cook County Sheriff's Office. The County website includes a place for you to notify the County of your evacuation plans. 

These past few weeks we have begun to experience poor air quality due to smoke from Canadian Wildfires. You can sign up to receive air quality alerts at airnow.gov to learn when the air quality is poor to the point that it negatively affects human health. Wildfire smoke has tiny particules that can go deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. While poor air quality affects everyone, some people are more at risk.  These include infants, young children, people living with lung or heart disease, adults 65+, those who smoke, and those who work outdoors. Consider spending less active time  outdoors on poor air quality days. One way to offer some relief is to close windows and doors to your home and use an air filter to create a clean air environment. You may also opt to wear a N-95 quality mask when outdoors to reduce the impact of poor quality air on your health.

Ticks are active as soon as the temperatures rise above freezing and the snow cover disappears. When ticks are out, there is a risk from getting sick from tick bites. Tick-related illesses such as Lyme Disease have become more common in recent years as ticks live in more places and are active for longer amounts of time. To protect yourself, treat clothing and gear that you use often in the outdoors with permethrin, an EPA-approved tick repellent, or using another EPA-registered tick repellent such as DEET. Check yourself for ticks every day after you come inside.  If you find a tick, remove it right away by its head—pulling it outward slowly, gently, and steadily.  Clean the affected area with soap and water. Not all ticks carry disease, though if you are infected symptoms tend to appear in the first month after a bite. Flu-like symptoms and a rash that looks like a red ring are common symptoms of Lyme Disease. If you think you may have a tickborne illness, contact your doctor immediately.

Learn more about summer public health emergency preparedness at the June 17 PHHS Board Meeting at 8:30 a.m. in the Cook County Commissioners Room in the Cook County Courthouse. The meeting is available to livestream or view a recording on the Cook County website at www.co.cook.mn.us. You can also visit our website at www.cookcountyphhs.org, contact us via email at [email protected] or find us on Facebook @CookCountyPHHS or Instagram @cook_county_phhs to learn more about our work in supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of Cook County Residents.

County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County – Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service.