Stay Clean & Safe in Bay Water
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Stay Clean & Safe in Bay Water
Coos Health & Wellness advises the following tips will help you stay healthy when fishing, clamming or playing around the waters of Coos Bay:
- Wash your hands with soap and free-flowing clean water after playing in the water and before touching food you will eat.
- Until you are done eating avoid touching anything that was made wet with bay water. Young children, in particular, need help doing this.
- Always thoroughly cook shellfish before serving it. The USDA recommends 145 F as the minimum cooking temperature for both fish and shellfish.
- When you get really wet or muddy clothes you can avoid carrying germs into the house – or the car. Bag up those dirty clothes before going in and take them directly to the washing machine.
Greater numbers of illness causing germs are in the water following a big storm or when there is a spill from a sewage treatment plant. By law, when a plant does not meet treatment requirements it must be reported to the Oregon Emergency Response System (OERS) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). In addition to this, notice to the public is a courtesy.
Under the most pristine conditions germs exist in the bay. Even when water looks clear there is still a chance that illness causing germs are in the water. Make sure you take care of yourself and your family by staying clean and safe around bay water.
Rick Hallmark
Environmental Health Program Manager
281 LaClair Street Coos Bay, OR 97420
541-266-6720 | richard.hallmark@chw.coos.or.us
Crisis Line: 541-266-6800
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