More than fireworks bloom July 4
Avoid toxic blue-green algae blooms
This is the season when toxic blue-green algae may bloom in ponds and lakes, state health officials warn. Individuals can protect themselves, family and pets by avoiding contact with water containing visible amounts of blue-green algae.
"It's great to have fun in Wisconsin waters, but coming into contact with or swallowing water with high levels of blue-green algae poses a health risk and can make you sick," said Dr. Seth Foldy, state health officer. "People and pets should avoid swimming where the water looks like paint or pea soup."
Algae blooms can form thick, foul-smelling layers on the surface of water and can range in color from green and fluorescent blue to red. Most adults will avoid entering water with an algae bloom, but kids and pets can be hard to keep out no matter how it looks or smells.
Always shower off with soap and water after swimming in lakes and rivers.
If you come in contact with blue-green algae bloom, you may experience eye, throat, nose or skin irritation and gastrointestinal problems. Symptoms can appear between a few hours and several days after exposure.
Contact a physician if you experience muscle cramps, respiratory difficulties, nausea or vomiting following swimming in a lake or river.
Foldy added that dogs exposed to algae should be rinsed off to prevent them from ingesting algal toxins while grooming themselves.
Get immediate veterinary care if your pet develops any signs of illness.
For more information or to report a human or animal illness related to blue-green algae, call the States Division of Public Health at (608) 266-1120 or visit dhs.wiscon sin.gov/eh/bluegreenalgae.
advertisement
Calling all eco-friendly businesses
Deadline extended through March 12.
Lake Country and Mukwonago Publications are looking for local businesses that are doing their part to conserve resources and protect earth. Do you monitor your water use? Do you have a unique recycling program? Do you use renewable-resource building materials? Tell us about it.
Lake Country residents share their views on news, happenings and current events.
LivingLakeCountry.com features more than a dozen community bloggers - a group of volunteer conversation leaders who are up on the latest topics and never short on an opinion. Just a few are pictured here. Check out the rest and see what they have to say!
View All Blogs
Discussion Guidelines
Do you want to become a Community Blogger? LivingLakeCountry.com welcomes your thoughts and opinions. Contact us for more information:
I want to blog
If you're interested in finding out more about sponsoring a blog, click here to send an e-mail to LCP Sales.
MORE: See full gallery
SUBMIT: Post Your Photos now
Do you have news or an event that you would like to share with the community? Whether it's a community organization, a business, a local school, or a notable neighbor, we'd love to hear about it!!
- Italian Dinner: Saturday March 27th
- Hamilton Charger cheerleaders take 5th at national competition
- Accompany of Kids, Gala 2010 "Electricity!!"
- Painting a portrait of St. Patrick?
- Eagle Area Community Showcase and Breakfast
- Things That Go 'Vrooom' -- March 20
- Maple Avenue fifth-graders donate to Haiti relief
- Host families needed for 2010-11
- Committee seeks memories, memorabilia as it plans Maple Avenue’s 50th anniversary
- Hamilton students compete at JA Business Challenge
MORE: See the rest of Your Stories
SUBMIT: Post Your Story now
We asked - you answered - with 70 nominations for Lake Country's top healthcare professionals. See winners and their stories.
