Human Health Hazards

What is a Healthy Home?

A healthy home is one that is maintained free of environmental health and safety concerns.  It has good indoor air, good ventilation, safe water, is free from lead, excess chemicals, and high levels of radon.  It also keeps out pests, moisture, noise, and pollution and keeps us safe from injuries through the use of safety devices. 

Why is it important?

 An unhealthy home can lead to poor health outcomes such as:   

• Lead poisoning due to peeling paint or poor repair/paint work on a home build before 1978.
• Asthma, respiratory problems, or cancer due to smoking or secondhand smoke exposure
• Lung cancer due to radon
• Fire deaths or injuries due to lack of a working smoke alarm
• Death or injury due to carbon monoxide exposure
• Asthma or respiratory problems due to moisture and mold

This is especially important because most people spend at least 50% of every day inside their homes.

For more information, go to the Wisconsin Department of Health website.

Publications:

Healthy Homes Checklist

Help Yourself to a Happy Home

8 Tips for Keeping a Healthy Home

A Healthy Home for Everyone

Compulsive hoarding is a chronic illness with no known cure. A variety of interventions/techniques are necessary for treatment. Family members and friends need to be supportive while their loved one seeks help. Always obtain consent from a hoarder before discarding items. 

What are the signs of compulsive hoarding?

• Difficulty getting rid of items
• A large amount of clutter in office, home, vehicle, and other spaces, make it difficult to move around or use room for intended purposes.
• Unable to locate important items due to clutter.
• Feeling overwhelmed by the volume of possessions.
• Unable to stop bringing home more things or pets.
• Not having family and friends over due to home's messiness.
• Refusing to let in repair people

Hoarding is not caused by:

• Laziness
• Lack of responsibility
• Lack of intelligence
• Low standards

A person who hoards....

• has a dysfunctional belief about items
• has exaggerated emotional attachments to possessions
• has difficulty with organization
• has poor insight into their behavior
• may have experienced a significant trauma
• may have inherited the disorder 
• often has other mental health issues

Resources

Government Agencies

• Waukesha County Human Services
  • Adult Protective Services
  • Child Protective Services
  • ADRC
• Waukesha County Health Department
• Waukesha County Planning & Zoning

Law Enforcement

• Waukesha County Dispatch - (262) 446-5070

Mold can cause many health effects. For some people, mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash. People with asthma or who are allergic to mold may have severe reactions. Mold will grow where there is moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been a flood. Therefore, it is very important to find and repair the moisture source for the mold.

• Mold Information , WI Department of Health Services
• Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home - EPA

Landlord and tenant issues can arise for many reasons, and sometimes legal help may be needed.

Below are resources for both landlords and tenants.

Tenant Resources

Legal Action of Wisconsin-A non-profit law firm based out of Milwaukee.

Community Advocates-Also can help with rent assistance, threat of eviction, and offers support with other issues.

DATCP Landlord/Tenant Guide-Answers frequently asked questions in regards to landlord/tenant complaints.

Tenant Resource Center-Answers frequently asked questions in regards to landlord/tenant complaints.

Special Case Resources

ADRC of Waukesha County-Child and Adult Protective Services, resources for people 60+.

CancerCare-Has database to search for legal resources if you are currently going through cancer treatment.

Landlord Resources

Waukesha County Circuit Courts-Provides Landlord/Tenant codes and additional resources.

City of Milwaukee - Offers a FREE landlord training course, sign up at their website, and check the calendar for availability.

Wisconsin Legislature

• Updated 2019-20 Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 704, Landlord and Tenant
• Administrative Code: Chapter ATCP 134 - Residential Rental Practices

What are PFAS?

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of human-made chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water.  They have been used in a variety of industry and consumer products since the 1950s. These chemicals do not easily break down and are known to accumulate in the environment and in humans over time. While it is estimated that there are thousands of different PFAS chemicals only two have been extensively studied; PFAS, perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).  

PFAS Infographic

What are the health effects of PFAS exposure?

How do I report a bed bug problem?

Apartments & Rental Units
If the problem is not addressed by your landlord, call your local building inspector.

Hotels & Motels
Call Waukesha County Environmental Health (262)896-8300

Owner Occupied Home
Contact a local Pest Control Company familiar with treating bed bugs.

What are bed bugs?

• Bed bugs are small insects that feed on the blood of people and animals while they sleep.
• They are oval with flat, rusty red colored bodies.
• Bed bugs cannot fly or jump.
• They are not a sign of poor hygiene or cleanliness. Anyone can be affected.
• Bed bugs hide in bedding, on mattresses or box springs, and in cracks and caps in walls and furniture.

What are signs of bed bugs?

• Seeing bed bugs in the folds of mattresses or sheets.
• Finding rust-colored blood spots on mattresses, sheets, or furniture.
• Finding their exoskeletons after molting.
• Smelling a sweet musty odor.

What are bed bug bites like? 

• Bed bugs usually bite at night when people are sleeping.
• Bed bug bites are painless and usually don't wake people.
• The bites can develop into large itchy spots on the skin. Some people may have an allergic reaction to the bites.
• Scratching the bites can cause an infection.
• Bed bugs are not known to spread disease.

How did I get bed bugs?

• Bed bugs are good at hiding. They can be brought into your apartment or  house on luggage, used clothing, electronics, furniture, bedding, and other items that were once in an infested area. 
• They can move from one infested apartment to another or if the apartment has not been properly treated. 
• If you travel (in the US or internationally), stay or live in homeless shelters, hotels, youth hostels, dormitories, and group homes, you should take action to prevent bed bugs. 

How do I prevent bed bugs in my apartment or house?

• Check used furniture before bringing it in to your apartment or house. Look in the cracks and gaps with a flashlight for bed bugs. 
• Cover used mattresses and box springs in a bed bug proof plastic case. 
• Wash all used bedding, clothing, curtains and other linens right away in hot water and dry in a hot dryer.
• When traveling, inspect the room you're staying in for bed bugs. When you get home, check luggage and other belongings before entering your house or apartment.

What should I do if I think I have bed bugs?

• It's hard to get rid of bed bugs, but it can be done! 
• If you think you have bed bugs:
  • Look in cracks and gaps in furniture, bedding, trim, window coverings with a flashlight.
  • Clean and remove clutter in infested areas to reduce hiding places.
  • Carefully clean infested areas using a vacuum. Empty the vacuum immediately after use and get rid of the vacuum bag by putting it in a plastic bag and throwing it away. 
  • Seal mattress and box springs in bed bug proof plastic cases.
  • Wash all bedding and linens in hot water and dry in hot dryer.
  • Over the counter pesticides and aerosol foggers (bug bombs) don't work and if used incorrectly, can cause chemical poisoning.
  • The best way to get rid of bed bugs is to have a professional pest control company do it. Heat treatment combined with chemicals is the most effective way to control bed bugs.
    
    

What if I rent my apartment or house?

• Ask your landlord to hire a pest control company.
• Call your local building inspector

Resources

Bed Bugs in Schools-Information from Virginia Department of Ag and Consumer Services on how to handle bed bugs in schools.

Bed Bugs-In Home Visitors/Social Workers - Information from University of Minnesota on how to protect yourself while conducting home visits.

Legal Action of Wisconsin-A non-profit law firm based out of Milwaukee.

Community Advocates-Also can help with rent assistance, threat of eviction, and offers support with other issues.

DATCP Landlord/Tenant Guide-Answers frequently asked questions in regards to landlord/tenant complaints.

Tenant Resource Center-Answers frequently asked questions in regards to landlord/tenant complaints.

Cockroaches, or “roaches”, are among the most common household pests. Cockroaches are mostly nocturnal and range in size from less than 1/2 inch long to almost 2 inches long. They feed on a wide range of organic matter. Most cockroaches harbor within moist, dark crevices when not foraging for food. They crawl quickly and may climb rough surfaces. A few species can fly short distances or glide as adults during warm nights.

MANAGEMENT

Managing cockroaches is not easy. For serious indoor infestations, professional pest control services are often required.

To prevent cockroach infestations, reduce food and water sources and potential hiding places.

Monitoring for Cockroaches

Traps - Sticky or glue traps offer the best way to detect and monitor cockroach populations.

Place traps where cockroaches are likely to encounter them when foraging.

Sanitation. Cockroaches thrive where food and water are available to them. Even tiny amounts of crumbs or liquids caught between cracks provide a food source. Important sanitation measures include the following:

• Store food in insect-proof containers such as glass jars or re-sealable plastic containers.
• Keep garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and use plastic liners when possible.
• Eliminate plumbing leaks and other sources of moisture. Increase ventilation where condensation is a problem.
• Vacuum cracks and crevices to remove food and debris. Use HEPA vacuum to reduce allergens.

Exclusion and Removal of Hiding Places. During the day, cockroaches hide in dark locations (around water heaters, in cupboard cracks, stoves). They invade kitchens and other areas at night.

Limit Access. Prevent access to the inside of buildings through cracks, under doors, or through other structural flaws.

How to Prevent and Control A Rat or Mouse Infestation

Rats and mice are not only a nuisance, they also cause property damage and disease. Getting rid of food and places to live is the key to keeping your home, business, and neighborhood rat/mouse free. 

Get Rid of Outdoor Food Sources

Garbage Cans

• Use garbage cans with tight fitting lids and empty them regularly. Put plastic and paper bags into a covered container.

Compost Bins

• Don't compost any animal products (meat and dairy)
• Keep lids tight and put bins on a base so a rat can't burrow through the bottom.
• Keep bins as far away from your house as possible.

Fallen Fruit

• Throw away fruit and berries that have fallen on the ground.

Chicken Coops

• Rat-proof your chicken coop  to keep them from living underneath, in, or within the walls of the chicken coop. Keep chicken feed in tightly sealed containers.

Bird Feeders

• Seed should be on poles and in trays. Don’t overfill bird feeders.

Pet Food

• Don't leave pet food outside; if your pet doesn't eat it, rodents will.

Pet Waste

• Pick up poop from your yard and throw it away in a sealed garbage can.

Take Away their Home

• Stack fire wood 18 inches off the ground and away from all buildings to keep rodents from nesting and hiding.
• Cut bushes, vines and tall grasses that provide cover.
• Remove cars, appliances and furniture that have been put outside and are no longer being used.
• Plug holes under buildings with steel wool.
• Regularly clean out sheds and storage areas.
• Keep your home and property clear of trash.
• Talk to your neighbors about controlling rats/mice on their property.
• Get more tips from the CDC’s Clean Up!  page

Keep Rats and Mice from Coming Indoors

• Check inside and outside your house for gaps or holes and seal them up. Rats and mice can get into very small places. Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a nickel, and rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a half dollar.
• Rodents can get in your home from tree branches that hang over your roof. Keep trees and bushes cut back to prevent access.
• Get more tips from the CDC’s Seal Up!  page.

Protect Your Health

If you think you have rats or mice in your home take the following steps to protect your health:

• Put all food in sealed containers.
• Throw away all food and drinks that may have come in contact with rodents.
• Clean cookware and cutlery before using.
• Wash hands well before preparing food, eating, or drinking.
• Wear shoes around the house and do not sleep or lie down on the floor.
• Contact a healthcare provider right away if a rat or mouse bites you.

How to Kill Rats or Mice

• Trapping is recommended over poisons to remove rats and mice. The best trap is the snap trap.
• Poisons are not recommended because children and other animals may eat the poison and get sick, or in some cases, die. Poisoned rodents can die in hard to reach places, causing a very bad smell. If you want to use poison, contact a qualified pest control company.
• Wrap dead rodents in newspaper or a plastic bag before putting the animal in the garbage. Injured or sick rodents must be killed. Try not to touch the dead rodents and use gloves if possible. Always wash your hands with hot water and soap after touching a rodent (even if you wore gloves).

Why are We Concerned About Ticks?

• There are a number of common diseases in Wisconsin that are spread by bites from infected ticks. 
• Ticks are most active in spring, summer, and early fall. 
• Wisconsin winters are becoming milder. This creates a longer active tick season and increases your chance of getting a tickborne disease.
• Not all ticks spread disease and you won't get sick from all tick bites.

How Ticks Spread Disease

• Most tickborne diseases in Wisconsin  are spread by the black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick. Deer ticks are very small—nymphs are the size of a poppy seed and adults are the size of a sesame seed.
• Ticks feed by biting skin. While they are attached to skin, disease can be spread. Once attached, they usually feed for 3-5 days. 
• Ticks live in natural areas with trees, bushes, or high grass. They can't jump or fly. They crawl onto you or your dog when you brush against leaves or grass.

Tickborne Illness and Symptoms 

• Early symptoms of tickborne diseases can happen from three to 30 days after a bite from an infected tick.
• Lyme disease often starts with a rash that looks like a bullseye around or near the tick bite. Not everyone gets that kind of rash, and sometimes you don’t even see a tick on your body. If you do see a bullseye rash, call your healthcare provider.
• Symptoms of tickborne illness:
  • Fever
  • Rash
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or joint aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes 

If you've spent time outside and have symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider, even if you haven't seen a tick on your body or a rash

• You should have a complete recovery if you start antibiotics as soon as possible.
• If tickborne diseases are not treated, they can be serious and sometimes fatal, even in healthy people.

What You Can Do To Prevent Tick Bites 

Preventing tick bites is the best way to stay healthy.

• Avoid areas where high grass, leaves, trees, and other vegetation touches your clothes, and walk in the center of trails.
• Use EPA registered insect repellents on exposed skin and clothing. Follow instructions carefully.
• Use products that contain permethrin on clothing, carefully following product instructions.
• Tuck pant legs into socks, and shirts into pants.
• Do a tick check of your whole body every day, even if you were only in your backyard.
• Remove ticks promptly with a tweezer by holding the tweezers close to the ticks head and pulling upward with steady pressure. Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed or sesame seed. It’s important to remove ticks completely, and as soon as possible.
• Shower or bathe as soon as possible after you've been outside.
• Tumble clothing you’ve worn on high heat in a dryer to kill any ticks on clothing.

Ticks and Pets

Dogs are very susceptible to tick bites and the diseases they cause. Tick prevention products should be used on dogs regularly and do tick checks daily. Remove the tick right away. If a tick comes into the house on a dog, it could bite another pet or person living in the house.

Tick bites on dogs can be hard to spot. Look for ticks:

• In and around ears
• Around eyelids
• Under the collar
• Under the front legs
• Between toes and the back legs
• Around the tail

Symptoms of tickborne diseases may take 7 to 21 days to show. Call your vet if your dog has behavior or appetite changes.

Cats are very sensitive to tick prevention products. Talk to your vet before using them.