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Outdoor Safety

All articles tagged with #outdoor safety

Modern wilderness wisdom: survival tips inspired by The Oregon Trail
health1 month ago

Modern wilderness wisdom: survival tips inspired by The Oregon Trail

An emergency medicine physician uses The Oregon Trail as a framework to outline practical wilderness safety: ensure clean drinking water via boiling or filtration, avoid dangerous water crossings, plan for longer journeys with extra food and water, don’t hike alone, respect wildlife, use technology as a backup not a substitute for preparation, and pursue wilderness first aid training to handle environment-specific hazards like altitude illness and bites.

Upper Midwest Braces for Monday's Dangerous Heat Wave
weather3 months ago

Upper Midwest Braces for Monday's Dangerous Heat Wave

A dangerous heat wave hits the Upper Midwest Monday, with afternoon heat indices of 100–110°F driven by high humidity; highs in the low to mid-90s and overnight warmth offer little relief, and extreme heat warnings/advisories are in effect. If storms develop, they could bring damaging winds but overall thunderstorm chances remain 20–30%. The heat overlies a pattern that stays hot and humid through much of the week, with periodic thunderstorm potential and the risk of heat-related illness if precautions aren’t taken.

Tick-Heavy Hubs: 5 Michigan Parks to Watch for Tick-Borne Disease
health4 months ago

Tick-Heavy Hubs: 5 Michigan Parks to Watch for Tick-Borne Disease

MDHHS data flag five Michigan hotspots—Sleeping Bear Dunes, Menominee River Corridor, Fort Custer Recreation Area, Porcupine Mountains, and Warren Dunes State Park—where blacklegged ticks and American dog ticks thrive in leaf litter, brush, and dense forests, elevating Lyme disease and other tick-borne illness risks. The article notes public health guidance, the species involved, and prevention steps (tick checks, repellents, showers, and changing clothes) plus resources like the MiTracking dashboard for updates.

Mild Winter Spurs Tick Surge: Precautions for Outdoors
outdoors4 months ago

Mild Winter Spurs Tick Surge: Precautions for Outdoors

A mild Utah/Idaho winter has boosted tick populations, increasing the risk of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Health experts urge precautions when outdoors: use EPA-approved DEET repellent (20%+), wear light-colored long sleeves and closed shoes, avoid tall grasses, and perform thorough tick checks on people, pets, and clothing. To reduce tick activity around homes, maintain lawns, trim vegetation, remove leaf litter, create a 3-foot barrier of wood chips or gravel around play areas, and deter wildlife. If a tick is found, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, avoiding the mouthparts, and seek medical care if part remains embedded or symptoms appear. As warmer weather arrives, tick activity is expected to rise; for more guidance, consult the University of Idaho extension in Bannock County.

health5 months ago

IDPH Warns of Mosquito, Tick, and Bat Health Risks as Summer Arrives

IDPH warns warmer weather increases risks from mosquitoes, ticks, and bats. First West Nile virus–positive mosquito batches have appeared in Cook County; 2025 saw 150 human West Nile cases statewide. Tickborne diseases (including Powassan) are possible, and two bats tested positive for rabies in 2026. Prevent bites by reducing standing water, using EPA-registered repellents, wearing protective clothing, performing full-body tick checks, and vaccinating pets; contact health authorities if exposed to a bat or bitten by an animal.