News Release                   For Immediate Release

May 17, 2004

Preparing your Cottage for Summer

Many summer residents open up their cottages during the May long weekend. Reducing mosquito-breeding sites around your cottage, which will lower your risk of bites, and testing your well water, to ensure your water is safe to drink, are two important steps to ensure your summer is a healthy one.

Mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus and since they lay their eggs in standing water the following are recommended to reduce breeding sites at your cottage:   

·         Remove standing water -- flip containers that hold water, put holes in tire swings, clean birdbaths every few days.

·         Remove dense brush, weeds and other decaying items, fill in low depression areas in your lawn, and clean out eaves and drains.

·         Maintain ponds and pools and the areas around them.

·         Repair or replace all screens in your house, and keep non-screened doors and windows closed from early evening to early morning.

Testing your well water to ensure it is free of contaminants can be done in three simple steps:

·         Pick up a water-testing bottle (keep the bottle closed until filling).

·         Follow the instructions and fill it with your tap water.

·         Return it to the drop-off spot.

To find out where your local water drop-off and pick-up locations are, or for more information, please call the Public Health Unit at 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456, or visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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For more information:

Chris Munn

Manager, Health Protection

Grey Bruce Health Unit

376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 235