Health and safety

The Health and Safety category includes news and tips from local hospitals, clinics, medical professionals, and emergency services contacts who serve the Lansing community.

IDNR reminds holiday revelers to leave fireworks to those who are licensed and trained

fireworks

Fireworks show sponsors reminded to check credentials of fireworks vendors information provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (June 12, 2019) – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding organizations and individuals sponsoring fireworks displays in Illinois to be sure their fireworks vendor has the required state licenses and certificates … Read more

Illinois officials caution residents about blue-green algae

blue-green algae

Most blue-green algae are harmless; some produce toxic chemicals information provided by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (June 12, 2019) – As temperatures begin to rise, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Public Health are reminding residents to be cautious if they are planning activities on Illinois lakes and rivers, now … Read more

Safety tips for flood-related power outages

State officials urge extreme caution when using generators information provided by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (June 7, 2019) – As flooding persists throughout the State of Illinois, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency managers are encouraging those in the impacted areas to prepare for potential consequences from the prolonged … Read more

Pet safety tips

For owners and animals information provided by North Central Veterinary Emergency Center HIGHLAND, Ind. (June 2, 2019) – Veterinarians at North Central Veterinary Emergency Center share the following safety tips to help keep pets safe during the summer months. Dog bites Dog bites require immediate veterinary care. To help avoid dog bites, keep pets that … Read more

Evacuation preparation encouraged in ‘longest-lasting flood event since 1927’

State urges river communities, “Don’t Wait, Evacuate” information provided by the Illinois Emergency Management Association SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 30, 2019) – State officials are urging residents in river communities to prepare for potential evacuations due to the threat of rising floodwaters. Reports indicate this is the longest-lasting flood event since the Great Flood of 1927. … Read more

Gov. Pritzker activates Illinois National Guard for flood relief

information provided by the Office of the Governor SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 30, 2019) – With urgent flooding situations along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, Governor JB Pritzker has activated approximately 200 Illinois National Guard soldiers for State Active Duty to assist with the state’s flood fight operations and urged all residents in affected communities to … Read more

First mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus reported

mosquito

information provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 27, 2019) – On May 24, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) confirmed the first mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus in Illinois for 2019. DuPage County Health Department staff collected the positive mosquitoes on May 21, 2019, in Wayne, … Read more

State officials urge Illinoisans to have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts

Holiday forecast brings risk for severe weather and flash flooding information provided by the Illinois Emergency Management Association SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 26, 2019) – State officials are urging residents to monitor local weather forecasts and always have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts and warnings. Officials with the National Weather Service (NWS) report additional storms … Read more

‘Border to Border’ seat belt enforcement through Memorial Day focuses on reducing injuries, fatalities

information provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 21, 2019) – The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, and more than 200 law enforcement agencies across the state are joining the national “Border to Border” campaign by increasing seat belt patrols and enforcement zones this week through Memorial Day. “As always, … Read more