Getting a jump on winter preparedness may feel premature when the days are still mild, but planning now can save a lot of stress later. By tackling small tasks before cold weather arrives you avoid the last‑minute scramble that often comes with the season’s first real chill. Here are some things you can do now:

• Add cold weather supplies to your vehicle (see printable vehicle checklist, right).
• Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure they're working.
• Do a furnace tune-up, or schedule an appointment with the professionals.
• Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected.
• Add insulation/caulk around windows and doors, and add weatherstripping where needed.
• Prepare your outside faucets - remove hoses, and if your hose bib is not freeze-proof, cover with a domed styrofoam cover.

Ready to go the extra mile? Download the full Winter Preparedness Checklist on the right to prepare your vehicle and home for winter weather!

Want to learn more about Winter Preparedness? Check out these links:

• Prepare for winter weather with Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
• Prepare for winter storms with Ready Wisconsin
• Learn about frostbite, hypothermia, and generator safety from Ready.gov

Halloween is an exciting and fun-filled holiday for children and adults, and a little safety awareness goes a long way to making it an enjoyable night for everyone.

• Plan a Safe Route: Before heading out, map out a safe and well-lit route with sidewalks that your children can follow.
• Wear Reflective Clothing: Make sure that your children are visible to drivers. Have them wear reflective clothing, add reflective tape to their costumes, and/or give them a flashlight or glow stick to carry with them.
• Check Candy: Inspect all candy before allowing your children to eat it. Throw away any treats that are not commercially wrapped, as well as any that look suspicious or have been tampered with.
• Take Precautions With Masks and Costumes: Masks can obstruct vision and make it difficult to breathe. Consider using non-toxic face paint or makeup or ensure the mask has good visibility for your child. Make sure that your children's costumes fit properly to avoid tripping or falling.

Learn More:

• Safety Tips from Safe Kids
• Safety Tips from the National Safety Council
• Halloween Safety with DHS

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 25 through 31) is our yearly reminder that protecting children from lead exposure is a responsibility we all share - and one that begins with awareness. Lead can be found in older homes, peeling paint, contaminated soil, and even certain household products.

There is no safe level of lead in a child’s body, so early detection and quick action are essential. A simple blood lead test is the best way to identify exposure before it leads to serious health and developmental problems.

This year’s theme, “Keep Kids Safe from Lead,” highlights three key steps families can take:

• First, get the facts: Understanding where lead hazards may be helps families make safer choices.
• Second, get your child tested: Talk to your primary care physician to schedule a test.
• And third, get your home tested: Identifying and fixing potential lead sources - such as deteriorating paint or aging plumbing - can prevent long‑term harm for your children, children you babysit, or children that visit often. (Pregnant women also need to be especially careful!)

Winnebago County Public Health is committed to helping families every step of the way. We have a dedicated Public Health Nurse who works directly with families of children with elevated blood lead levels, offering guidance, follow‑up, and support. In addition, our Lead-Safe Homes Program provides funding for qualifying households to make essential repairs that reduce lead hazards and create safer environments for children.

• Visit our lead safety webpage or contact us at 920-232-3000 to learn more.

While wastewater surveillance became widely known during the COVID‑19 pandemic, its used to monitor several additional respiratory viruses such as RSV and the flu. It's also used to track several infectious diseases, including measles. Currently Wisconsin is experiencing an outbreak of Measles, with 214 cases so far in 2026. (As of September 29, 2026)

What Is Wastewater Testing?

Wastewater testing means collecting water from sewers and checking it for germs like viruses and bacteria. When people are sick, they can release these germs in their poop or pee, even before they feel symptoms. Because wastewater comes from many people, it gives a big-picture view of how much sickness is in a community. It can’t show who is sick, but it helps health teams spot changes and new problems early.

Why Wastewater Testing Matters for Measles

Measles is a very contagious virus, and even small dips in vaccination can lead to outbreaks. People infected with measles can release virus material that ends up in wastewater. Because of this, wastewater testing can help track measles in a community as an extra monitoring tool for Public Health. Wastewater data can help track measles in a few important ways:

1. It can show early signs of measles in a community, even before cases are reported.
2. It helps health teams watch areas with lower vaccination rates and respond quickly.
3. It shows whether outbreak actions, like vaccination clinics, are working.
4. It adds another layer of information to support regular public health work.

Looking ahead, wastewater testing can help communities stay ahead of measles, especially when vaccination rates drop. Combining this data with quick case finding and strong vaccination programs helps protect people from measles.

Learn More:

• CDC - Wastewater Dashboard For Measles
• CDC - State/Territory Wastewater Dashboard for Respiratory Viruses
• DHS - Wisconsin Wastewater Monitoring Program

What Does Public Health Do? Halloween Style!

Newsletter readers: you're getting a sneak peak!

Starting Monday, October 5th Winnebago County Public Health is providing a full week of Halloween Costume ideas inspired by your local Public Health Heroes!

Follow along on our Facebook page to discover your ultimate Halloween Costume idea AND find out what your local Public Health Department does on the day-to-day.