DIRECTORS' CORNER

Prepare for Extreme Summer Weather

Summer in Colorado can be a little unpredictable — one minute it is sunny, and the next a major hail storm rolls through. This year, we’re told Jeffco has a high risk for flash flooding as temperatures warm up, because snowpack for the year was high. Despite higher snowpack, we also expect wildfires this season as conditions get warmer and dryer.

We want to remind everyone to prepare now, before these kinds of severe weather events happen. Here are some helpful tips to get started, as well as information on what to do during and after severe weather events to protect you and your family.

Enjoy summer in Colorado, and stay safe Jeffco!

Sincerely,
Jody Erwin
Deputy Director & Director of Administrative Services
Jefferson County Public Health

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Rabies Season Continues

Rabies is regularly found among wildlife in Colorado, especially in skunks and bats. So far in 2019, three skunks and two bats have tested positive for rabies in Jeffco. Learn more about rabies, where positive cases have occurred in our community and how to keep you, your family and your pets safe.

State Expands Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act to Include Vaping

The Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act (CCIAA), which already prohibited smoking indoors in most public places, has been updated to include vaping, effective July 1, 2019. This change comes at a time when vaping is at the forefront of the conversation in Colorado, with the state having the highest rate of youth vaping in the country. Read more about what this means for the Jeffco community.

Moving this Summer? 10 Tips to Ensure a Healthy, Safe Space

It’s peak moving season in Jeffco, as residents seek out new spaces to settle in and call home. JCPH has tips for making sure the place you live is healthy and safe.

DATA ROUNDUP: EXTREME WEATHER

510 heat-related emergency department visits in Colorado in 2016

>$2 billion worth of damage done to the Front Range from May 8, 2017 hail storm

6,235 Jeffco houses in FEMA designated flood hazard areas

Prepare for Extreme Weather in Your Community

Severe weather events and high heat days can happen anytime. Here’s what we’ve seen locally in recent years. Are you prepared?

GET INVOLVED

SAVE THE DATE! Third Annual Jeffco Breastfeeds Mini Fair

Mark your calendar for August 2, 2019, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.! The Third Annual Jeffco Breastfeeds Mini Fair, hosted by Jeffco WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) is back this year as we join together to celebrate National Breastfeeding Awareness Month! Enjoy free games, prizes, face painting, dental screenings and more! We will also have prizes and giveaways for new and expecting families.

Sign up for Air Quality Alerts

Want to be the first to know when air quality advisories are in effect for our county? Subscribe to get notified via text or email. (Scroll to “Alerts” and look for “Air Quality Alerts from Public Health”).

Join Us for the July Board of Health Meeting

This month’s Board of Health meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 16, 2019, beginning at 4 p.m. at Jefferson County Public Health (645 Parfet St., Lakewood, CO 80215).

PARTNER PROFILE

Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS)

JCOS works to preserve open space and parkland, protect park and natural resources and provide healthy, nature-based experiences. The JCOS system includes 56,000 acres of preserved land, 28 parks and 244 miles of trail. Learn more about JCOS and explore fun ways to get outside this summer!

Join the conversation! Follow Jefferson County Public Health on Facebook at @jeffcopublichealth and on Twitter and Instagram at @jeffcoph. Visit our website at www.jeffco.us/public-health.

July 2019 // Volume 1, Issue 7