ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH and SAFETY

BEAR

in MIND July 2019 VOLUME 21, ISSUE 3

Kissing Bugs 1

Travelers Health 2

Health and Safety

Festival 2

Fire Pit Safety 3

Snake Safety 3

4 Stormwater

Inside this Issue

Dates to Remember

Safe Thought

Kissing Bugs - They’re in Colorado

Kissing bugs have been sighted in Colorado. They are moving up from South America. These insects are potentially dangerous due to their ability to spread Chagas disease.

What do they look like? Adult Kissing Bugs are 0.75 - 1.25 inches in length. Most species have the characteristic red or orange colored band around their bodies.

Why are they dangerous? Kissing Bugs are blood suckers, and while they do this they defecate in the area. This allows a parasite in its feces to gain access into a persons tissue. While your chances of contracting the disease are low, there can be serious health effects.

“While on a ladder, never

step back to admire your

work.” -Author Unknown

07/04—Independence

Day (University Closed)

08/22—Residence Halls

Open

08/26—Fall Semester

Classes Begins

09/02—Labor Day

(University Closed)

The CDC suggests the following for protecting you and your family from Kissing Bugs:

Place outdoor lights away from your house, dog kennels, etc. and turn off lights

that aren't in use.

Remove trash, wood piles, and other debris including animal nests from around

your home.

Ensure there are no gaps in your screen doors, windows, chimneys or any other

areas with access to the outside.

Ideally have your pets sleep inside, otherwise regularly inspect outdoor pet’s

resting areas.

Chagas Disease: How can you stay safe?

For additional information visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Travelers Health

The CDC has released some tips for keeping you and your family safe during your international summer vacation!

Before your trip: Make an appointment with your healthcare provider at least one month prior to your international trip to stay up to date on all your vaccines, medicines, and to get additional health advice. Its a good idea to pack a travel health kit that includes any medications you may need, first aid supplies, and your health insurance card.

Also, be advised to check on Travel Health Notices in different countries. These travel notices are designed to inform travelers about current health issues related to specific international destinations.

If you are traveling abroad with a pet be sure to research the recommendations before leaving and the requirements for returning to the United States with a pet.

During your trip: Be vigilant when eating abroad. Contaminated food items can cause serious illnesses while you are traveling. The CDC also advises you to prevent insect bites and avoid close contact with animals. Many animals and insects carry serious diseases that can be transmitted through contact with humans. Keep your distance! If you get sick during or after your trip, see a doctor right away. Be sure to let them know where you traveled.

After your trip: If you become ill after your trip, be sure to see a doctor right away.

2019 Health and Safety Festival - September 18th

Join us for the 14th annual Health and Safety Festival on Wednesday, September 18th, from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM! This event is free, open to the general public, and includes booths from health and safety agencies. This event is perfect for all ages and families!

This years health and safety festival will include hands on activities, demonstrations, and giveaways!

See the inside of a Medivac Helicopter

Watch Weld County K9 Demonstration

Participate in Greeley Police Bomb Squad Demonstrations

Donate Blood

The health and safety festival will also include the annual Police Bike Auction. The auction will begin at 12:30 PM.

Did you know? The CDC offers a destination tool that allows you to research

health advice, vaccines, and medications that are specific to your destination.

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Fire Pit Safety Fire pits are used all year long. Keep you and your guests

safe by thinking about these safety guidelines:

1. Location of your Fire pit: Choose a level surface with

little to no debris near it. Your fire pit should be at least

10 feet away from your house and away from any

plants, fencing, or coverings.

2. Burn the correct wood: Use seasoned hardwoods in your fire pit. Plywood can release toxic fumes, and while

wood pops and cracks more frequently. Never allow a piece of wood to extend past the border of the fire pit.

3. Do not use accelerants! We know… no fun, right? Using accelerants on your fire pit is very unsafe and can lead to

uncontrolled burning or even explosions.

4. Fire pit Screens: Consider buying and installing a fire pit screen made of heat-resistant metal. They reduce the

amount of embers flying out of the pit which can land on guests or ignite flammable material.

5. Don’t Burn on Windy Days: Be aware of weather forecasts when having a fire. Red flag warnings and windy

days are especially dangerous to have a fire due to the low humidity and the possibility of a fire spreading rapidly.

Always obey your county’s no burn restrictions.

6. Be Safe: Always use common sense when having a fire. Don’t leave children and pets unsupervised around a

fire pit, don’t drink excessively around a fire, wear appropriate clothing, and never leave a fire unattended.

Snake Safety - Be Snake Awake!

Its that time of year when snakes are out and basking in the sun. Colorado is home to a variety of snake species, both venomous and non-venomous, and whether you love them or hate them, always be aware when you might be in snake habitat.

Colorado has over 20 native species of snakes! Only 3 of these species are venomous, all

of which are species of rattlesnake.

REMEMBER: A snake’s first instinct is to avoid contact with humans. They identify us as potential predators and do not want to interact with us if they don’t have to. All snakes, even rattlesnakes, are very important to our state’s ecosystems.

Never touch a wild snake: It’s never a good idea to handle any wild snake. Especially if it is one of Colorado’s three species of rattle snake. This is incredibly dangerous and can result in injury to you and the animal. Even non-venomous snakes have teeth and will bite if threatened.

Know where you are placing your hands and feet: Snakes are experts at camouflage. They will hide under rocks, fallen trees, and tall grass. Be cautious of where you place your accessories and look before you step or place your hands anywhere. Its also a good idea to not listen to music in snake territory so you can hear a warning rattle.

Keep dogs close to you: Snakes cant distinguish between a predatory animal and a domestic dog, they will bite if they feel threatened. Keep your dogs leashed in snake territory and train your dogs to avoid snakes.

In the event of a bite, don’t panic: If a snake bite occurs, remain calm and seek medical attention immediately. Do not try any “western methods” to treat a bite. Your phone and car keys are the most valuable tools you can have if you suffer a venomous snake bite.

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It is the mission of the Environmental Health and Safety Department to support university functions by promoting a safe and healthy campus environment for students, faculty, , staff and

visitors, as well as to provide professional guidance and direction toward compliance with University, Federal, State and local rules and regulations.

Parsons Hall

501 20th Street

Campus Box 57

Greeley, CO 80639

Phone: 970-351-2446

Bear in Mind (BIM) is a publication brought to you by your

campus Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHS).

We are interested in your thoughts and submissions.

Contact the Environmental Health and Safety department at

970-351-1149. Suggestions can also be sent by campus mail

attention EHS, Campus Box 57. Bear in Mind issues are

published every quarter. Find current and archived issues

on-line at the EHS Website.

Stormwater — Doggy Problems!

This spring, the City of Greeley teamed up with

Lexee Sherman Sutton, a student from Greeley

Central High School, to install 18 dog waste

stations around Greeley’s natural areas. Lexee’s

project was chosen to be implemented as part of

the Caring for Our Watersheds program.

The implementation of this project has turned out

to be extremely beneficial to our local watershed

and downstream communities as well. One month

after installation, Lexee’s stations kept almost

1,700 pounds of dog waste off the ground and out of our watershed!

The reason why this is so important is because dog waste carries a number of pollutants that are harmful to

aquatic creatures, humans, and the overall health of our watershed.

So remember, every time you bring your

furry friend out, bring a bag to pick up after

them. And if you forgot to bring one, look

for the nearest bag station so you can help

keep our community clean and our

watershed healthy!

If you want to learn more about Lexee’s

project, Caring for Our Watersheds and

their sponsors, and what you can do to

help, please visit:

City of Greeley Resource and Education

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