Fun At Crystal Lake Main Beach

New this summer! Crystal Lake Park District staff has planned a few more drop-in activities to make your visit to Main Beach even more fun and exciting.

On Tuesdays, kids ages 4-12 can get in touch with their creative side and take part in Crazy Craft Tuesdays. Drop in anytime between 12:30-1:30 pm on Tuesdays, June 11-August 13 and experience a new craft each week led by Crystal Lake Park District arts and craft instructors. Sign up at the Main Beach office prior to the start of the program each Tuesday. Program fee is $3 per child.

All summer long on Thursdays during the 2:15 swim break, meet Crystal Lake Park District lifeguards and beach staff for Wet N Wild water fun

Announcements will be made each Thursday prior to the 2:15 pm swim of where to meet on the beach and a description of what is planned for the day’s activity. It’s free! Plan to stop by every Thursday because each week something different will be planned.

For further information on these activities and other events scheduled at Main Beach this summer call (815) 477-5404, or for information on your visit to Crystal Lake Park District beaches visit us online at http://www.crystallakeparks.org/Parks-Facilities/beaches.asp.

 Hope to see you at the beach!

Hot Weather Affects Pets As Well As Humans

With the weather forecast calling for extreme heat over the next week, McHenry County Animal Control (MCAC) urges pet owners to take special precautions.

Dr. Lisa Lembke, MCAC’s Veterinarian Manager, offers these tips from the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to keep your pets safe during extreme heat –

Pets can get dehydrated very quickly so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot outdoors; also provide a shady place to get out of the sun. If at all possible, keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.

Never leave animals in a parked vehicle – even with the windows open – as this can lead to fatal heat stroke.

Know the symptoms of overheating in pets (e.g. excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, stupor, bloody diarrhea, seizures).

Don’t let animals walk on hot asphalt. Being so close to the ground, an animal’s body can heat up quickly and sensitive paws can burn. Keep walks to a minimum.

For more information, call McHenry County Animal Control & Adoption Center at 815-459-6222 or visit www.mcdh.info. Get the latest information on Facebook and Twitter

How To Stay Cool

With temperatures expected to remain high over the next week, McHenry County Department of Health reminds residents of important health tips to ensure time spent outdoors is safe and comfortable.

Here are some tips to stay cool –

Always wear light-weight clothing that has plenty of ventilation (the fabric should “breathe”). Stay well hydrated (consume an abundance of liquids in the summer). Be sure to provide pets with water and shade when outside as well.

Exercise or schedule other strenuous activities when the heat and humidity are lowest, (early morning and late evenings).

Rest in cool, shady places frequently. If you’re hot, go cool down – get indoors, drink cool liquids, enjoy the air conditioning for a few minutes, or take a cold shower.

Watch out for those at greatest risk – very young children, persons with health conditions like the elderly, pets. Young children should never be left in cars, even for short periods of time.  Certain medications may also put you at greater risk of heat-related illnesses so be aware of how medications may interact with the heat.

During periods of extreme heat and humidity, residents should be on the lookout for these potential risk factors –

Dehydration — Dehydration occurs when more water leaves the body that you put back in. Stay well hydrated throughout the day and drink extra fluids when exercising or simply being outdoors on hot days.

Heat exhaustion — Symptoms may include: headaches, weak pulse, rapid pulse, excessive sweating, dizziness, and in some instances fainting, clammy skin, chills, cold, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps or very fast or very shallow breathing. If you suspect you have heat exhaustion, take action immediately to cool down. If possible, immerse yourself in cool water.

Heat stroke — Unlike heat exhaustion, victims of heat stroke have warm skin that is dry to the touch because they’ve sweated out all their extra water leaving the body’s natural cooling system without a key cool-down mechanism. High fever, severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and a strong, rapid pulse all accompany heat stroke. Victims may become confused and can lose consciousness. Heat stroke is a very serious condition. Cool the victim; seek medical assistance.

Get the latest news from MCDH at www.mcdh.info, on Facebook and Twitter www.twitter.com/mchenrycohealth.

Crystal Lake Library Closed July 4

The Crystal Lake Public Library will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2013 for Independence Day.  The Library will re-open to the public at 9:00 am Friday, July 5, 2013

Mosquito Test Found Positive For West Nile Virus

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) has reported that mosquitoes from a mosquito trap in Harvard have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).

This is the first positive test for WNV in McHenry County since last year.  MCDH has tested 128 mosquito batches as of June 20; all other batches tested negative for WNV.

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) indicates that as of June 19, two other counties have reported two positive mosquito batches but no human cases so far this year.  No human cases of WNV were reported in McHenry County in 2012.  Two birds have been submitted and tested with negative results.  

IDPH believes that a hot summer increases mosquito activity and the risk of disease from West Nile virus.  MCDH will continue to collect and test mosquito batches throughout the remainder of the season (mid-October) and will accept a limited number of dead birds for testing. 

It is important to remember that the risk of WNV remains until the first hard frost. Residents should continue to use insect repellent when going out of doors in the evening, with long sleeved shirts and long pants for extra protection.  Other tips include emptying standing water from containers around the house and making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. 

Illness from West Nile virus is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches but serious illnesses, such as encephalitis and meningitis and death, are possible. 

Persons 50 and older have the highest risk of severe disease.  For more information on WNV, visit www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or call 815-334-4585.

Beach Test Results

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) conducted beach water samplings at 38 licensed beaches on Wednesday, June 19.  There were no reports of increased bacterial levels.  All beaches will be open.

To prevent illness associated with swimming, all licensed beaches on the 13 lakes in McHenry County are tested every 2 weeks for E. coli throughout the summer to determine water quality.  Additional and more frequent sampling is done when elevated bacterial levels are found.    

Water sampling results are reported to the appropriate beach authorities. MCDH will post an advisory or closed signage for beaches with elevated E. coli results.  All beach water results and locations are readily available at the MCDH webpage www.mcdh.info (click Environmental Health, quick links, “beach testing results”) or call 815-334-4585

Walkup Road Work Near Completion

Final landscaping along IL 176 and Walkup Road at the south section began on 6/19 and will be completed within the next week. 

“Punch-list” item work and clean-up will continue at both the south and north sections over the next few weeks.

Thank you for your patience and please drive safely.