SEDGWICK COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS   316-660-9370  FAX:  316-383-7509

Quality of Life - Health Survey

The Sedgwick County Health Department announces a quality of life survey, and they want every person in Sedgwick County to participate! The purpose of the survey is to learn the public’s perceptions of quality of life, with an emphasis on health topics. Survey results will help the health department and other health partners identify the biggest areas of concern for Sedgwick County citizens.  The brief survey takes approximately five minutes to complete and can be found at this link. Thank you very much for participating and providing your valuable input!

Around the County

• 2008 Flight Festival
  The Wichita Flight Festival celebrates Wichita’s aviation history. The three-day event, from August 22 - 24, kicks off with a Friday night twilight air show and concert by Otis Day and the Knights. 

  Activities will continue Saturday and Sunday with a three-hour air show each day, educational seminars, exhibits, aerial and ground displays of a variety of vintage and current aircraft from throughout the region, the Kansas Aviation Gallery featuring displays from all major aircraft manufacturers in Wichita and museums from throughout the State of Kansas, and a Kids’ Concourse where young aviators will explore flight through games and activities.

  Visit www.wichitafestivals.com for more information and to purchase tickets to the Flight Festival.
  
  

• Back-to-School Reminders
  Soon, children across Sedgwick County will pack up their backpacks and head back to school. This reminds us to take certain precautions to ensure they enjoy another healthy, safe school year.  Click here for information about immunizations, physicals, crosswalks, reminders for children and healthy behaviors.
   

• Fire Station 32 Ribbon Cutting
  The Sedgwick County Fire District #1 is officially open for business after a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new station 32 in Park City.  The new station will serve parts of northeast and north central Sedgwick County.  For more information about the station relocation project and photos from the ribbon cutting, visit Fire District #1 online.

Environmental Tip

You've always been told to flush excess medications down the toilet when it's time to get rid of them.  But, now we know better.  The sewage treatment plants are not designed to remove the medications, and we don't want those substances in our rivers.  Instead, take them to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 801 Stillwell in Wichita.  This way, there's no expense to you and no expense to the environment.  The facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Narcotics or high-powered pain killers like morphine or Lortab are not accepted.  If you are not able to use the HHW facility, dissolve the pills in a liquid and add it to kitty litter or coffee grounds; then, put it all in a closed, unmarked container and throw it out with the trash.  Click here for more easy ways to make a difference in our environment.

Health Alerts

• Rabies - Due to a nation-wide shortage of rabies vaccination, the Sedgwick County Health Department, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wants to increase residents’ knowledge of the dangers of rabies. Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Skunks and bats are the most common animals to have rabies in Kansas. Rabbits, mice, rats, squirrels, opossums and chipmunks are rarely infected with rabies. Any person bitten by an animal should seek the advice of a physician.
  
  To reduce your risk for Rabies, follow these tips:
          - Avoid wildlife contact: teach children not to handle or pet unfamiliar animals, even if they appear friendly.
          - Vaccinate and license dogs annually.
          - Vaccinate cats annually.
          - Vaccinate livestock.
          - Supervise your pets to avoid contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a stray or wild animal, seek veterinary assistance immediately.
          - If you are bitten by an animal, note:
                  1. A description of the animal
                  2. Where the animal was last seen
                  3. What direction it was last headed
                  4. If it is owned, who the owner might be
                  5. Provide this information to Animal Control as soon as possible.
          - If you are bitten by an animal in a fenced area where a gate can be closed to confine the animal, do so. Do not try to catch a wild or domestic animal.
          - If you live in the city of Wichita, call Animal Services (268-8378) to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood.
          - If you live outside Wichita, in Sedgwick County, call Sedgwick County Animal Control (660-7070) to remove stray animals from your neighborhood.
          - Do not try to nurse sick, stray animals to health.
  
  For more information on rabies, click here to view a Sedgwick County fact sheet or click here to see a City of Wichita rabies FAQs.
   
• Recreational Water Illnesses - Swimming season is here and healthy swimming behaviors are more important than ever. Health departments across the country, including Sedgwick County’s, investigated more Recreational Water Illness (RWI) outbreaks in 2007 than ever before.  To remind those who frequent your pool of  proper pool health behaviors, click here to download the pool operator flier.  To print your own healthy swimming tips poster, click here.  To request a laminated poster, please call 316-660-7345.
   
• Healthy Recipe - Need an idea for a healthy recipe to make for yourself or your family?  Visit the Health Department's nutrition page to find a recipe for homemade vanilla ice cream. With approximately 200 calories per serving, this recipe is a better alternative to many store-bought ice cream treats!

Recreation in Sedgwick County

Tickets are on sale now for Zoobilee!  Musical entertainment and wild animals will greet you as you arrive for this annual fund raiser. Bring your appetites for delicious delicacies from more than 70 of our community’s favorite restaurants.  To receive a special invitation or to purchase tickets, visit scz.org or call 266-8APE (8273). Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day, Saturday, September 27 - Museum Day is a one-day event where participating museums and cultural institutions across the country offer free admission to Smithsonian magazine readers and friends with a Museum Day Admission Card. Museum Day is an outstanding way to celebrate the country’s cultural offerings, encourage the dissemination of knowledge.

During Museum Day, present your Museum Day Admission Card (one will be available from the September issue of Smithsonian Magazine and from the Museum Day Web site) to get free admission to EP’s permanent exhibits (Flight and Design, Kansas - Exploring Our Only Home, Kids Explore and Tots’ Spot), AND get $2 off any ticket to Our Body: The Universe Within.

Digital TV Conversion

Beginning Tuesday, January 8, millions of $40 government-issued coupons will become available to help citizens purchase a converter box for their older television sets that might not work after the switch from analog to digital broadcasting.  Viewers who have satellite or cable service will not need a box, but viewers who rely on antennas, for example, will need to purchase a converter box before February 18, 2009.  To request a coupon, visit www.dtv2009.gov or contact the 24-hour hotline at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).

Commissioners' Corner

Want to find out what is happening in the community?  Visit "Commissioners Around the County" where you can see photos of the Sedgwick County Commissioners taking part in various community activities, watch videos of the commissioners discussing current topics and read Second District Commissioner Tim Norton's "A Word in Edgewise" column.

Click here for a complete list of County news releases.