Whatever your favorite thing to do on a hot day, slow down, take it easy and most importantly stay cool!

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REMINDERS FOR PET OWNERS
We all love our pets and want them to be safe and happy. The Wyckoff Board of Health would like to remind dog and cat owners to respect other people's property and peace of mind. All dogs and cats residing in the Township who are over the age of three months and have received their rabies vaccinations must be licensed annually.
Township ordinances require a person walking a dog on a leash to curb the dog and immediately remove all feces deposited by the animal and place it in a waterproof container, properly sealed then disposed of in a garbage container or any other sanitary manner.
If you leave your dog outside in a fenced in area or on a leash, don't forget to provide a bowl of water. Dogs left outdoors may bark for long periods of time. It is not only unpleasant for your neighbors to listen to a dog that barks constantly but it is also not good for the well-being of the dog.
Remember that animals are not allowed to run at large and must be on a leash. No pets are allowed on school property or sports fields. Never leave your pet in a car with the windows closed especially during the warmer months.

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FACTS ABOUT LYME DISEASE
What is Lyme Disease? Lyme Disease is a newly identified tick-borne illness that causes arthritis and, in some people, disorders of the heart and central nervous system. It is most common in the Northeast coastal states (from Maine to Maryland) and in the upper Midwest (Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota) and on the Pacific Coast (in California and Oregon). Lyme disease is most often contracted in the late spring and early summer.
What causes Lyme Disease? It is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete form of bacteria. This disease is transmitted by the bite of a deer tick, an insect about the size this period. In addition to deer, these ticks are found on birds and many small animals, including field mice and other rodents.
How is Lyme Disease diagnosed and treated? Lyme Disease is diagnosed on the basis of blood tests and symptoms. It is treated with antibiotics, usually tetracycline or penicillin, which are given orally for at least two weeks. Pregnant women and patients with severe cases may require hospitalization and or intravenous antibiotic therapy.
What can you do yourself? If fatigue is severe, rest is necessary. Aspirin or acetaminophen can relieve the flu-like symptoms and joint pain. Avoid excessive use of inflamed or swollen joints; over-use may result in permanent joint damage.
When should I see my doctor? If you experience any symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible. A pregnant woman who thinks she has been bitten by a deer tick should see her doctor even in the absence of symptoms. Treatment is most effective if it is started within a week to ten days after infection.
What will the doctor do? Blood tests to detect antibodies against the bacterium that causes Lyme Disease will be ordered. However, because current antibody tests do not always detect Lyme disease in its early stages, a doctor may begin antibiotic treatment even if the test is negative.
Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to ease pain and joint symptoms. Extra rest is also advised.
The course of Lyme Disease. The course of the illness varies greatly from one person to another and may be dependent on genetic factors. After a week or two of flu like illness, which may be accompanied by a rash, symptoms usually disappear. If the disease is untreated in this early stage, serious complications involving the heart, joints and nervous system may develop weeks or months later. Even so, complications occur in about 15 percent of those patients who undergo early treatment. Because of the diversity of its symptoms, Lyme Disease is often misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, or multiple sclerosis. Fatigue, mood changes and neurologic problems are often mistaken for mental illness.
Is Lyme Disease dangerous? It is rarely fatal, but heart complications may cause life threatening abnormal heart rhythms, and infection during pregnancy may cause fetal loss. Symptoms may impair the quality of life for months or years.
What can you do to avoid Lyme Disease?
1. Avoid tick exposure in endemic areas
2. Walk along cleared or paved surfaces rather than on grass or in woods.
3. Wear long-sleeved shirts that button at the wrist, long pants tucked into socks, and closed shoes. Choose light-colored fabric so you can spot and brush off ticks.
4. Use insect repellents containing DEET and or permethrin. Follow package instructions.
5. Use flea and tick collars on your pets and brush them carefully after they have been outdoors.
6. If you are bitten by a tick, remove the tick immediately by grasping it as close to the skin as possible with tweezers and tugging gently.
7. In areas where deer ticks are common, mow weeds and grass around the house.
8. Try to discourage birds or animals that may harbor the ticks from coming near the house. Bird feeders, for example attract birds as well as rodents and other animals that carry deer ticks.

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RISING NUMBER OF ANIMAL BITES
As the number of animal bites to people and their pets has increased, it has become more apparent that some of these cases could have been avoided. Pet owners must be more aware of their pet’s attitudes and behaviors, which could be dangerous to the public. The behaviors that seem cute during the animals growing years such as growling, nipping and dominant behavior, become extremely dangerous as the animal grows. Pet owners should be aware and are responsible for their pet's behavior. It is best not to put your pet in situations that would cause a rise in their stress level and ultimately result in dangerous behavior such as biting. It does not matter if your pet bites in fear or aggression, it is still unacceptable behavior.

People should use caution when approaching or being approached by an animal. Even if you know the pet, it is still not a guarantee that the animal is safe to approach or handle. Many people are bitten by animals they know. If you are bitten or threaten by a neighbor's pet, you should contact the Police or Animal Control Officer. These people are trained to handle these situations.

Frequently, while investigating bite cases, Officers find there are previous incidents that went unreported because people did not want to be "bad neighbors". It would be a much better situation if the pet owner is assisted or educated in control of their animal before a serious bite occurs. Any dog owner who is considering the installation of an "invisible" fence unit should make sure that the "fence" line is set back and appropriate distance from the public right-of-way. Fence lines that are installed too close to the right-of-way will cause a dangerous situation for motor vehicles, pedestrians and your pet.

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THE E.COLI THREAT - GREATEST DURING SUMMER
The Wyckoff Board of Health advises the summer is the worst season for possible E. Coli bacteria’s transmission to humans. All warm-blooded animals contain E. Coli bacteria. The problem is that when E. Coli comes into contact with food, pool or lake water, these bacteria can cause serious illness or even death in humans. These bacteria can be deadly to young people, the elderly or those with chronic illness.
The following are preventable measures that can be taken to prevent the spread of E. Coli:

•	Outdoor barbecues feature hamburger, which if undercooked, can cause E. Coli in humans. Use a meat thermometer to cook meats to an internal temperature of 165 F.
•	Avoid cross-contamination from raw meats to finished foods such as salads or desserts.
•	Always remember to wash hands completely - the FDA recommends 20 seconds with warm water, liquid soap and paper towls during food prep (between touching meats and other foods), changing diapers or for anyone with diarrhea.
•	Fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly with soapy water before cutting - especially products like watermelon or cantaloupe that lie in the fields. The outside rind may be contaminated with E. Coli and drawing a knife through the rind will contaminate the flesh of the fruit.
•	Avoid swallowing pool, lake, and ocean water due to the possibility of E. Coli bacteria. Children must be trained to use the toilet prior to playing/swimming in a pool and if children are in diapers or with diarrhea they should stay out of the water.
•	In remote areas while camping, bring bottled water or check to see if municipal water is available at the tap.