 It’s not too late to get your respiratory virus shots. Getting vaccinated is the best way to reduce your risk of severe illness. As RSV, COVID-19, and the Flu continue to circulate, you can help prevent the spread by:
- Getting vaccinated
- Staying home if you are sick
- Washing your hands often with soap and water
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Wearing a mask around others if you or someone else is sick
Visit the CDC to see the respiratory illness activity in Lake County or a county you are traveling to. To find a vaccination location near you, visit vaccines.gov.
Have you been thinking about adding a furry friend to your family? The Lake County Health Department’s Animal Care & Control (AC&C) and other shelters and rescue groups face overcrowding, and the groups that we work with—Orphans of the Storm, Save-A-Pet, and Our House of Hope, have experienced a decline in adoptions from their facilities.
Some pets currently housed at the Health Department have been there since August 2023, and they desperately need and deserve good homes. AC&C doesn’t offer pet adoptions at their shelter. Rather, they do work closely with Orphan of the Storm and other rescue groups that can only take animals from the AC&C shelter as space is available.
Adopting a pet will change not only that animal’s life and yours but will also open space up for other animals for rescue and care. If you are in a place to adopt a pet, please remember that they are a 10–15-year commitment. If you are considering adopting a pet, please take time to research to ensure pet ownership is right for you. Visit the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Pet Ownership page for things to consider when bringing a pet into our home.
Visit the Health Department’s Animal Care & Control page to learn more about services offered and links to our partner rescues.
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Avoid Over-Salting
Even though it has been a fairly mild winter so far, there are still many days left for snow and ice opportunities— which can lead to over-salting. Salt lowers water's freezing temperature, making it an effective way to clear ice and snow from walkways and driveways. However, over-salting can lead to excess salt in lakes, streams, and other waterways— harming aquatic life and vegetation.
When snow or ice are in the forecast, there are steps residents can take to avoid over-salting. Only use what you need when salting your sidewalk and driveway. One 12-ounce cup of rock salt covers 20 feet of a driveway or ten sidewalk squares. Did you know that rock salt does not work to melt ice when it is 15 degrees and below? When temperatures dip below 15 degrees, opt for a product that works better in colder temperatures.
Visit the EPA’s Safer Choice for a list of safer deicers for people, pets, and the environment.
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Be Prepared
 With the winter season well on its way, it is good to be prepared in case there is snow, ice, or cold temperatures in the forecast.
When it is cold outside, your body can lose heat faster than it can be produced, leading to serious health problems such as hypothermia and frostbite. When spending time outside in the winter, dress yourself, your family, and your pets appropriately— especially if extreme cold is forecasted. View the list of warming centers around Lake County if you or someone you know needs a warm place to get out of the cold.
If snow or ice is in the forecast and you have to drive, check for any alerts or advisories and road conditions before leaving for your destination. If you do have to drive, make sure you have:
For more ways to protect yourself from winter weather, visit ready.gov.
 January is Radon Action Month. Radon is an odorless and colorless gas that naturally occurs in rock and soil. Elevated radon levels can be found in all homes: old, new, basement, or no basement. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America. The only way to know your indoor air quality is to test.
Test your homes radon levels with a short-term testing kit for $10.00 from the Health Department, available at 500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville. The cost includes return postage, laboratory analysis and interpretation by Health Department staff. If the test results reveal elevated levels of radon in your home, contact a radon professional to evaluate and fix the problem. Visit the Health Department’s Radon page for more information. Learn more about radon at epa.gov/radon.
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Tick Protection
Don't let your guard down during the winter months regarding tick protection. Ticks can continue to be present when temperatures are above freezing. Take steps to protect yourself, your kids, and your pets from ticks year-round:
- Dress appropriately by wearing long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes when outdoors to cover your skin.
- Defend against ticks by using insect repellent and avoiding tick habitats.
- Check your entire body for ticks after being outdoors including your children and pets.
- Remove any ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.
For more information, visit FighttheBiteNow.com.
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Sun Protection
Even though the air is colder, and the sun’s rays are weaker, it is still important to protect yourself from UV rays. UV rays can reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, ice, and snow and can reach you on cloudy days. Make sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on a daily basis. Check out the UV Index to know the strength of UV rays in your area each day.
Visit the CDC for more sun safety tips.
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Cervical Health Awareness Month
Early detection and prevention are key fighting cervical cancer. Did you know that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers? Women can take steps to lower their risk for cervical cancer through regular screenings and by getting the HPV vaccine, if recommended, by your doctor. More information and resources are available through the CDC and National Cervical Cancer Coalition.
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Glaucoma Awareness Month
Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss and often has no early warning signs. Though there’s no cure for glaucoma, early treatment can often stop the damage and protect your vision.
If someone in your family has glaucoma, you may be at higher risk for the disease. Talk with your relatives to find out if glaucoma runs in your family. Don’t take your eyesight for granted—getting a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to find out if you have it. Protect your eye health by getting regular eye exams.
More information can be found through the CDC and National Eye Institute.
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Where do I find information about...
Who can I contact to ask a question about...
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Lake County Health Department Services: Call (847) 377-8000
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COVID-19 in Illinois: Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-889-3931 or DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV
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