The Fourth of July weekend  is a time to gather together, play, grill out, have fun and watch fireworks. For many, it’s a highlight of summer.

Fireworks help make the Fourth of July special. However, when it comes to individuals putting them off in their neighborhoods, they can be a delight to those using them but a nuisance to others and their pets. They also can harm people, start fires and even cause death. 

According to the National Safety Council, in 2017, eight people died and more than 12,000 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents. Of these, 50% of the injuries were to children and young adults under age 20. More than two-thirds (67%) of injuries took place from June 16 to July 16. 

Also, according to the NSC, fireworks typically start 18,500 fires each year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and nearly 17,000 other fires.

Here are tips to follow when using  fireworks:

• Never use illegal fireworks. 
• Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.
• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.
• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands.
• Never light them indoors.
• Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
• Never ignite devices in a container.
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire.

So what are illegal fireworks in the city of Morgantown? You can access this information in the city code on Morgantown’s website, morgantownwv.gov. Hover over the “Government” heading, click on “City Code” and then search for fireworks, under section 545.10. You can also click here to view this information.

Also keep in mind that the noise ordinance for the city begins at 10 p.m. While it’s not unexpected that some fireworks will still be popping in Morgantown neighborhoods after that time, keep in mind that your neighbors probably don’t want to hear loud crackling noises outside their bedrooms at, say, 12:45 on a Tuesday morning.

Fireworks also impact pets, especially dogs, cats and horses. Fireworks can frighten them and if they escape from their homes, it’s not a good night to be out and about. If your pet or pets get scared when the fireworks start flying, it’s recommended to check with your veterinarian well before the holiday to get their help with behavioral therapy or medication that can calm them down.

In the meantime, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that dogs and cats wear collars and that their owners get them microchipped. Also, have current photos of your pets just in case. 

Be sure they are safely enclosed if you have guests over and keep them away from any fireworks and grills.

In addition to firework safety, preparedness is another topic important on the Fourth of July. There are several obvious reasons for that -- a fully-stocked first aid kit is handy to have for minor fireworks injuries, falls, bicycle crashes, etc. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that barbecue season also makes it easier to get out and meet your neighbors. Knowing the people who live close to you can be vital not only during a disaster that may or may not occur, but also during a routine power outage. 

And when you know your neighbors, it might make it easier to talk to them if their fireworks are impeding your peace and feeling of safety.​

Ever taken a day off of work to enjoy the nice weather or blown off plans with friends to stay home and have a glass of wine? You’re not being antisocial — you’re practicing self-care.

But self-care doesn’t just mean bubble baths and face masks. The World Health Organization defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health-care provider.”

HIV testing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words “self-care,” but knowing your HIV status can enable you to have a long and healthy life. 

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. HIV is not curable, although these days it is treatable. Left untreated, someone with HIV can develop AIDS. Typically, a person with AIDS who goes untreated has a survival rate of about three years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Launched in 1995 by the United States Department of Health & Human Services, National HIV Testing Day was created to encourage people to get tested for HIV, to be familiar with their status and, if necessary, to link them to treatment. This year’s NHTD theme is “HIV Testing is Self-Care.”

So, what is HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus? It’s a virus spread through certain body fluids — including blood, semen and breast milk — that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, known as T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and diseases. Once these opportunistic illnesses develop, the person is considered to have AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should be tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. One in seven people with HIV do not know that they have it.

Those with certain risk factors should get tested more often. For example, people with more than one sex partner, people with other STDs, gay and bisexual men and people who inject drugs are at a higher risk and should get tested at least once a year.

MCHD Clinical Services makes getting tested very easy. Testing for HIV and for all STDs is free. Treatment for STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea is free as well. People who get a positive HIV result are referred for treatment. You can make an appointment by calling 304-598-5119.

Knowing that you are HIV-free will take a load off of your mind and will encourage you to be safe in the future. If you get a different result, then you can begin getting the treatment that will help keep you well.

While it’s important to have regular checkups and talk to your doctor, you are ultimately responsible for your health — which is why self-care is so important.

So take the time and get tested for HIV; your future self will thank you.

A few years ago, I was involved in a litter cleanup project in my neighborhood. I ended up walking up and down an embankment on the rail-trail for an hour or so, picking up trash, in high heat and humidity.

Afterwards, I didn’t feel so great. I hated to admit it, but I was suffering from heat exhaustion. I had kept on going when I should have stopped. Having grown up in West Virginia’s hot and humid summers, I thought my tolerance was higher than what it really was.

We’ve already had some hot days as we head into summer, and today and tomorrow should be hitting the 90s, plus there are plenty of high temperatures in the extended forecast.

This is the time to take precautions for yourself and also any children or pets.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 600 people die each year in the United States from heat-related illnesses.

Heat stroke is the most severe condition that can result from spending too much time in the sun or a hot indoor space without proper cooling and ventilation.

The CDC’s breakdown of illnesses, symptoms and reactions are as follows:

• Heat stroke: High body temperature of 103 Fahrenheit or higher, hot, red, dry or damp skin; fast, strong pulse; headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion and losing consciousness. If you or someone around you experiences these symptoms, call 911 first and then move the person to a cooler place. Help lower the individual’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Do not give the person anything to drink.
• Heat exhaustion: Heavy sweating; cold, pale and clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; muscle cramps; tiredness or weakness; dizziness; headache; fainting. In this instance, the individual should be moved to a cool place. Loosen their clothing. Cool the person down with wet cloths or a bath. Water can be sipped. Get medical help if symptoms include throwing up, if symptoms get worse or they last longer than one hour.
• Heat cramp: Heavy sweating during intense exercise; muscle pain or spasms. In this instance, stop the physical activity and move to a cool place. Drink water or a sports drink. Wait for cramps to go away before doing any more physical activity. Get medical help if cramps last longer than one hour, the person is on a low-sodium diet or has heart problems.
• Sunburn: Painful red and warm skins, can also include blisters on the skin. Avoid the sun until sunburn heals. Cool cloths or a cool bath can help. Use moisturizing or aloe lotion on the burns and don’t break the blisters.
• Heat rash: Red clusters of small blisters on the skin that look like pimples, usually on the neck, chest, groin and elbow creases. Stay in a cool, dry place and keep the rash dry.

Of course, the better option to all of these conditions is to take precautions. Avoid extreme heat when you can, and especially try to not exert yourself in it. According to Ready.gov, extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days.

But even on that first day, you want to be careful. Remain hydrated and take a bottle of water with you when you do go out. Don’t leave pets outside in the extreme heat, especially if there isn’t any shelter for them. Make sure they have plenty of water. If you are taking a dog for a walk, consider booties that will keep the pup’s paws off the hot pavement, or sticking to grassy areas (and making sure to check for ticks afterward).

Of course, as always, wear sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

And remember, preparation is key year-round, and this stormy season that can bring on power outages is no exception. 

There are steps you can take to make your home cooler during the summer. Ready.gov recommends covering windows with drapes and shades, weather-stripping doors and windows, using window reflectors specifically designed to reflect heat back outside and insulation to keep heat out.

Also consider making cooler meals that don’t require an oven, which would make your home even hotter.

Ready.gov also warns against relying on a fan as a primary cooling device because even though they create air flow and a false sense of comfort, they do not reduce body temperature or prevent heat-related illnesses.

If your home doesn’t have central air, install window air conditioners and insulate around them. A powered attic ventilator or fan also can help regulate the heat level of a building’s attic by clearing out hot air.

For those who cannot afford cooling costs, weatherization or energy-related home repairs, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help.

This is also a good time to remind everyone that having flashlights, batteries, accessible food and water and any other items to make members of a household comfortable during a power outage. Ready.gov offers advice on how to specifically deal with that situation and its aftermath.

It's always a good idea to never leave a pet in a car, even for just a few minutes.
But it is especially true in the heat, even when the temperatures are topping the 90s. 

If necessary, spend time at a library or another air conditioned public place to help keep cool. 

And once again, it can’t be stressed enough. Drink plenty of water, stay in a cool place as much as you can and be careful out there!

Morgantown is surrounded by and full of great walking and hiking trails. Core Arboretum is an easy drive for many residents; Coopers Rock State Forest is nearby and the rail-trail is accessible to just about everyone.

Yes, Monongalia County offers plenty of outdoor activities and opportunities. And that’s why it’s important that everyone also keep this in mind: The rate of Lyme disease — caused by deer ticks — continues to rise exponentially in both this region and the entire state of West Virginia.

In fact, some residents report finding ticks on their dogs after walking around their neighborhoods. And if you have a grassy yard, that’s another place to be cautious.

Monongalia County Health Department staffers had already heard from state sources that the numbers, which were bad last summer, have just gotten worse in 2022.

Just to get an idea, at about this point last year, according to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ (DHHR) Zoonotic Disease Group, the state had created 278 Lyme disease investigations, 19 of them in Monongalia County. This year, 466 investigations have been created, and 40 of them are in Mon County.

“It has been worse this year than last,” said Michael L. Abshire, a Zoonotic Disease Group research specialist.  

And on Tuesday, the DHHR sent out a press release warning West Virginians to take steps to prevent tick-borne diseases.

Of course, Lyme disease occurs when a black-legged, or “deer” tick, attaches itself to a mammal, such as a human, dog or a deer, and helps itself to the host’s blood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in most cases, the tick must be attached for 36-48 hours before Lyme disease is transmitted.

It seems difficult to believe that someone wouldn’t notice that on themselves, but sometimes individuals don’t know until they see the telltale bull’s-eye mark that they’ve had a dayslong tick encounter.

This is why it’s so important to check yourself and your pets for ticks after coming in from outside, especially if you’ve been in grassy areas or in the woods or on a hiking trail.

And remember, ticks come in a variety of sizes as they move through their stages of life: egg, six-legged larva, eight-legged nymph and adult. Some are the size of a poppyseed, as illustrated by this tick-dragging video we created last year as members of MCHD Threat Preparedness conducted tick dragging as part of our surveillance efforts.

Early symptoms of Lyme disease can be similar to COVID and a lot of other illnesses: Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph nodes may occur in the absence of rash. 

Last year, the health department also was contacted by an urgent care physician who was surprised by how many cases of Lyme diseases he was seeing. If you have reason to believe you’ve been exposed to a tick bite, a health-care provider can write a prescription for the antibiotic doxycycline. For those not experiencing symptoms, it can be a one-time dose, whereas those who do can get a longer course of the medication, from 10 to 21 days.

The CDC website offers other information and handy tips on how to enjoy nature safely and prevent tick encounters.

Unfortunately, this is a problem that seems to be growing worse. Reported statewide cases have grown from 289 in 2015 to 1,535 in 2021. According to the National Resources Defense Council, reasons for the uptick in ticks include climate change, suburban development and habitat change that are providing conditions that allow ticks to thrive as well as more opportunities for them to come into contact with humans.

​Spending time outdoors is a great way to exercise and have fun. Just remember to take measures before, during and when you return to keep safe from ticks.