Forest County Health Department

September is National Preparedness Month. The Forest County Health Department would like to take this time to give our community members pointers on being prepared for emergencies that could happen.

We all like to think that we will never have to be faced with a weather related emergency such as storm related power outages, floods, or tornadoes or a public health threat such as disease outbreaks or have to deal with the after effects of a hazardous material spill. but what if we do? The best thing we as a community can do is be aware and be prepared.

Here is a list of things to do:

• Create an emergency plan for your family, including a checklist of what needs to be done and assign tasks to each member
• Keep an emergency phone list that includes numbers for a doctor, the emergency department, fire and police
• Note local TV channels and radio stations with frequent news broadcasts
• Check the Forest County website for information on emergency situations
• Create a Three Day Emergency Kit. Go to www.ready.wi.gov for info on what to have in your three day emergency supply kit
• Have a buddy system in place. A buddy system can be set up with neighbors, friends and family. Plan ahead for how you will help each other in an emergency. Give your buddy a key to your home

Emergencies can happen at any time. Having the tools and plans in place before an emergency occurs could save your life. Please call us at 715-478-3371 if you have any questions. Like us on Facebook to stay informed and to get more tips on Emergency Preparedness

Follow the links below for more information

Three Day Emergency Supply List

FEMA Family Emergency Plan

Kayaking and Canoeing provides excellent recreational value as well as health benefits for paddling. Forest County is blessed with 824 named lakes and many un-named lakes and ponds. In addition to the lakes and ponds we have 850+ miles of streams with a variety of water levels, rapids and stream impediments to navigate.  Many of the lakes and streams provide access to remote portions of our forest with very little settlement, making them “Quiet Waters” for you to enjoy.

The serene quality of our “Quiet Waters” is a tribute to the past generations of Forest County who managed our vast forest and who conservatively farmed our lands to improve and protect our water quality. In recognition of these efforts and the healthy benefits of paddling quiet areas, the Forest County Land and Water Conservation Department has worked with the Forest County Health Department to develop “Quiet Waters”, a program to promote paddling sports including kayaking and canoeing and the healthy aspects of such sports in the county.

“Quiet Waters” provides photos from, mapping and directions to areas and water accesses that have little development, little motorized use and a variety of water conditions from serene lakes, to wetland-wildlife impoundments, to streams requiring a variety of skill levels. The mapping utilizes Google Maps and can be downloaded directly to your phone or tablet.

The Land Conservation Department will welcome organizations or businesses to include the links to their websites to promote our area. We also welcome comments, suggestions of additional areas and submission of photos from the sites to add to the links. Land Conservation hopes to expand the project to include areas across the county and your assistance will be appreciated, please contact us at the e-mail above.  The following are the direct links:

Quiet Waters of Forest County- Lakes

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AGA3mf5epcHGVkBXEAZz9UOjS0V3Z10I&usp=sharing

Quiet Waters of Forest County- River Routes

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RVIGhFgjzJj_rBPdznSnIyNUF0_n1D-e&usp=sharing

Quiet Waters of Forest County- Impoundments and Wildlife Areas

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1inallUi_ewlUq7LKI3WEAExX9Ivoj0Mo&usp=sharing

Forest County Quiet Waters Brochure 

This summer the Forest County Coalition on Activity and Nutrition (CAN!) is sponsoring three challenges to Forest County residents and visitors to the area.  Our 2^nd annual 100 Mile challenge, challenges you to walk, run, or stroll 100 miles between June 1st and August 31st, can be logged on our walking challenge log, which is available to download at www.forestcountycan.org.  Those who complete 100 miles or more will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card and will also be added to our 100 Mile Club list of all people who completed the challenge.

This year, we’ve also added a physical activity challenge which allows anyone, at any fitness level, to be active for at least 30 minutes a day.  Children and young people are encouraged to aim higher by spending at least 60 minutes per day being physically active.

The physical activity challenge is a great way to get active by picking any activity that fits into your lifestyle:  gardening, walking the dog, weightlifting, biking, yoga or playing a game of pickleball.  The physical activity challenge log can also be downloaded at www.forestcountycan.org.

Finally, don’t forget about our Geocache challenge that combines treasure hunting, Forest County trails and technology.   The first 50 participants that complete the challenge and turn in their log sheet will receive a goody bag of local prizes including a wooden key chain designed and fabricated by students in the Wabeno School District’s fab lab (pictured below). 

Together our coalition hopes to promote active lifestyles to both residents and summer visitors to Forest County. Challenge yourself and invite a friend to join with you.

Follow us on Facebook or visit our website for group meet ups, tips for new places to walk, and additional geocaching hints and tips.

For more information about the Forest County CAN coalition, please call the Forest County Health Department at 715-478-3371 or visit our website at www.forestcountycan.org

Click on each of the links below for a printable version. 

100 Mile Challenge Tracking Log 

Physical Activity Challenge Tracking Log 

Geocache Challenge Brochure 

Otter Springs Nature Day Poster

2nd Annual Garden Walk Poster

Family Outdoor Movie Night

Cardinal Park, Crandon 

Friday, July 6th 

Pickle ball, tennis, and other games will be available starting at 7:00 pm. The movie, “The Sandlot” will begin at dusk. There will be concessions available for purchase to help support park improvements.

Forest County Public Health Department is reminding residents to take steps to stay cool this summer.

 “People can get sick from the heat even on mild days in the low 80s,” said Jill Krueger, Director for Forest County Public Health Department.  “As we head into the summer months, it’s important to stay cool, hydrated, and informed.”

From 2013-2017, there were 3,548 visits to Wisconsin emergency departments for heat-related illness, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.  These trips to the emergency room are preventable when people are prepared.  Follow these tips to stay safe during extreme heat:

• Stay in air conditioning. When possible, stay in air conditioning on hot days.  If you don’t have air conditioning, head to libraries, malls, and other public spaces to keep cool.
• Check on loved ones. Be sure to check on older friends and neighbors who live alone and don’t have air conditioning.
• Avoid the hottest part of the day. If you have to be outside, stick to the cooler morning and evening hours.  Wear light, loose clothing and take frequent, air conditioned breaks.
• Beware of hot cars. Never leave a person or a pet in a parked car, even for a short time.  On an 80 degree day, the temperature inside a car can reach 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water on hot days. Avoid alcohol and hot, heavy meals.
• Stay informed. Watch your local weather forecasts so you can plan outdoor activities safely. Pay attention to any extreme heat alerts.

If you start feeling overheated, weak, dizzy, nauseated, or have muscle cramps, you could be experiencing heat illness.  Move to air conditioning, drink water, get under a fan, and put on cool washcloths.  If your symptoms worsen or don’t improve, go to the emergency room.

For more information, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ heat safety webpage and watch their heat safety video.

Three Life Jacket Loaner Stations have again been put up at local lakes in Forest County. These are stations where people can borrow life jackets free of charge to use while boating or swimming and return when finished. Life jackets are available in all sizes from infant through adult.  

The locations of the stations are: Silver Lake Beach in Laona, Crandon City Beach on Lake Metonga, and Veteran’s Memorial Park on Lake Metonga.

Wisconsin state law requires there to be one flotation device per person in each vessel. The hope is that these Life Jacket Loaner Stations will encourage compliance with state law as well as promote safe swimming.

This project was successfully completed in 2017 with the help of our partners: The Forest County Association of Lakes, Lake Metonga Association, Silver Lake Association, Crandon Lion’s Club, Laona Lion’s Club, City of Crandon, Town of Laona, Forest County Forestry and Parks Department, and K2Pro Signs.

Throughout the 2017 swimming and boating season it was evident that the life jackets were being used by the general public. The Forest County Health Department received positive feedback on the success of the Life Jacket Loaner Stations promoting safety on the water for boaters and swimmers alike.

If you have any questions about setting up a Life Jacket Loaner Station, please feel free to call us at 715-478-3371.