Fight the Bite: Prevent West Nile Virus

ummer fun has always come with the risk of itchy red bumps from mosquito bites. But lately the risk has been a little more serious. More than 100 people contracted West Nile Virus in the San Gabriel Valley last year, including seven in Pasadena.

Because of last winter’s heavy rains, the Pasadena Public Health Department is warning that there will be even more mosquitoes buzzing around this season and has been working hard to reduce the number of mosquitoes locally by educating residents and responding to concerns, patrolling areas with standing water and treating these areas with pesticides. They’ve also set up mosquito traps citywide to test for the virus.

While it’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk, here are some tips to help you protect yourself and your family:

• Stay inside between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most likely to bite.

• If you do go outside after dark, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts and rub on an insect repellent that contains DEET and is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. You can also try Picaridin and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. (For any repellent, be sure to read the instructions carefully, especially with children.)

• Dump out stagnant water and leaves from buckets, flower pots, old tires, wading pools and bird baths, where mosquitoes might lay their eggs.

• Maintain your swimming pool or spa with the proper level of chlorine and a recirculation system. While supplies last, you can call the Health Department at 744-6004 to get mosquito-eating fish for fountains or other outdoor areas where water can’t be drained.

• Keep your window and door screens in good shape, and your lawn well trimmed.

For more information on West Nile Virus or to report mosquito problems, call the city’s West Nile Virus Hotline at 744- 6012.

Swim Safely

Children should never be considered water-safe even if they’ve had lessons, warns the Pasadena Fire Department. Never leave a child alone near a pool or spa, even for a second.

During pool parties, be sure that someone has been assigned to watch swimmers at
all times and be sure to enforce the rules: no running, pushing, jumping on other swimmers, diving into shallow water or playful screaming (which might mask a real emergency). Children should not swim right after a heavy meal or during storms and should never carry glasses or bottles into a pool or spa area.

Remember that plastic inner tubes, inflatable armbands and other toys are just that – toys. Keep real life-saving equipment nearby. When everyone has left the pool area, lock the gate and remove all tricycles and other toys that might attract children.

Keep a cordless phone nearby; if an emergency does happen, call 9-1-1 and don’t hang up until the operator does.

For additional summer safety tips call the Pasadena Fire Department at 744-4675.

Look Before You Turn at Flashing Yellow Arrows

ON YOUR NEXT DRIVE ACROSS TOWN you might encounter the city's latest effort to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently: new flashing yellow arrows.

signal The arrows will be added in mid-July to existing "protected-permissive" turn signals – the ones that have a left-turn green arrow and a solid green ball light – at the intersections of Arroyo Parkway/Del Mar Boulevard and Arroyo Parkway/ California Boulevard.

Most drivers understand that a left-turn green arrow means they have the right-of-way, while the solid green ball means you can only turn left when there is a gap in oncoming traffic. But research shows this arrangement can be confusing. The flashing yellow arrow was shown to work better at warning motorists to go ahead and turn carefully, yielding to oncoming traffic.

Installed in spots that will help improve traffic to and from the Gold Line, the flashing yellow arrows will be tested for three years as approved by the Federal Highway Administration and the California Traffic Control Device Committee. If they work well and reduce accidents, more may be installed citywide.

For more information call the Department of Transportation at 744-4194.

Caution Urged During Coyote Season

SUMMER MEANS COYOTE SIGHTINGS in many residential neighborhoods. Like most wild animals, they are attracted to areas with available food, water and shelter. Coyotes have been known to carry rabies, so extreme caution is urged. The Pasadena Public Health Department offers the following tips:

• Remove pet food, water dishes and bird feeders from yards and porches

• Make sure trash can lids are securely fastened

• Pick up fallen fruit daily

• Clear excess brush and wood piles that may serve as shelter

• Keep compost contained

• Keep pets and young children close to you

• Make noise to deter coyotes

• Never run away from a coyote. Instead, yell loudly and try to look larger than normal

For more tips go to www.cityofpasadena.net and click on City News or call the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA at 792-7151, ext. 110.

Online Community Calendar Makes Its Debut

LOOKING FOR AN EVENT IN PASADENA? From art gallery openings and parades
to tours and children's activities, you're sure to find it on the new online Pasadena Community Calendar presented by Pasadena Public Library.

webshot

To check it out, go to www.pasadenacommunity.info or visit www.cityofpasadena.net and click on City News. Once you're there, try any of these options to find exactly what you're looking for.

• Your best bet may be the Quick Links drop-down menu on the left side at the top of the page. Click on the arrow to browse through 20 different categories from Books and Reading to Support Groups. Make your choice and click GO to see a calendar page of upcoming events in your chosen category.

• Just below the Quick Links menu, you can use the check boxes instead to specify a location, a city-sponsored meeting or a specific type of event. For example, you can check the box to find all events at Central Library's Donald Wright Auditorium or click a box to see all upcoming city commission meetings. Check the boxes of your choice, then click on the bar at the bottom of the screen. Once you have chosen a calendar, check out the search button at the top of the page. You can customize your search or use keywords to locate events.

• To browse through absolutely everything, check the box for the Master Calendar and click the bar at the bottom of the screen.

Once you arrive at a calendar page, click on any listing for more details about an event. You can also jump to a new month or change the category you're browsing through. If you know of an event that hasn't been listed yet, go back to the main page and click on the yellow Add Event button to add the information yourself – you can fill out a simple online form, click on a link for the calendar policy, choose the "help" icon and more.

Give it a try! If you have questions or want more information, send an e-mail to lib_cominfo@cityofpasadena.net or call 744-4318.

continue to next page


	Public Affairs