The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging the public to get educated about how to protect themselves from Lyme disease at the start of National Lyme Disease Awareness Month. This year the Department is also unveiling a new resource to make it fun for families to learn about tickborne illnesses and “Fight the Bite”: Tick Defense flyer and Knowledge Check crossword puzzle. IDPH has created an interactive Tick Surveillance Map that documents the counties in Illinois where the different tick species have been confirmed. Following are tips for how to avoid tickborne illnesses and have a healthy time in the outdoors:

• Learn about tick removal and symptom awareness (IDPH website).

• Walk in the center of trails. Avoid wooded, brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.

• Wear light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to find. Tuck long pants into socks and boots.

• Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5 percent permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings

• Conduct full-body tick checks on family members (underarms, ears, belly button, behind knees, between legs, waist, hair and scalp) every two to three hours. Also check any gear or pets taken on outings.

• Put your clothes in the dryer on high for 10 minutes (or one hour for damp clothes) to kill ticks.

• Shower within two hours after coming indoors.

For additional information, visit the IDPH website.