Spring and summer mean more time outdoors, but they also mean tick season. Ticks can carry serious diseases like Lyme disease, so take these steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. Haywood County Environmental Health offers these simple tips: 

• Dress Smart:

Wear long sleeves, long pants and closed-toe shoes. Tuck pants into socks to keep ticks from crawling up your legs.

• Use Repellent:

Apply EPA-registered insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin or permethrin (on clothing only).

• Stay on Trails:

Avoid tall grass, brush and wooded areas where ticks thrive. Stick to the center of hiking trails.

• Check Yourself and Pets:

After being outdoors, do a full-body tick check. Don’t forget behind the knees, underarms and scalp. Check pets, too.

• Shower Soon:

Showering within two hours of coming inside can help remove ticks and reduce your risk of infection.

• Remove Ticks Promptly:

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward steadily. Clean the bite area with alcohol or soap and water.

• Stay safe, stay vigilant and enjoy the outdoors responsibly.

For more information, visit cdc.gov/ticks.

As the summer season comes to an end, Haywood County Health and Human Services is urging residents to take immediate action to reduce the risk of mosquito and tick-borne illnesses, including encephalitis and Lyme disease.