Healthy Homes

Freeborn County Public Health can help answer questions about bed bugs, head lice, lead and radon. 

Bed Bugs

Freeborn County staff can provide general education with bed bugs, assist with bed bug identification and help refer to exterminators. All of the information that Freeborn County Public Health uses comes from the University of Minnesota Extension website.

Head Lice

Freeborn County Public Health can help answer questions about head lice, determine that you or your child actually has head lice or nits. Please call to schedule an appointment.  

View the Guide to Head Lice Treatment and Prevention.  Call Public Health at 507-377-5100 for more information and assistance with products to use.

You can obtain more information on head lice from the Minnesota Department of Health website.

Lead

Freeborn County Public Health staff works with all high lead cases in Freeborn County. Referrals are sent from the MN Department of Health and follow up along with general education on lead is done by Freeborn County Public Health staff. Home inspections are done when the blood lead level of a child is above 15. A member from the MN Department of Health Lead Compliance Unit will conduct that home inspection paired with health education from a staff member from Freeborn County Public Health. Together they will try to determine where the source of lead is coming from, steps to lower the child’s blood lead level, ensure proper follow up from doctors and other medical staff is met, and referrals to local school districts.

You can obtain more information on lead from the Minnesota Department of Health website.

Radon

Radon is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the United States and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. More than 21,000 lung cancer deaths are attributed to radon each year in the United States. Fortunately, the risk is largely preventable, by testing homes and fixing radon problems. About 2 in 5 Minnesota homes have dangerous levels of radon gas and state health officials say every home should be tested. Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless radioactive gas that occurs naturally in Minnesota soils. It can enter into all kinds of homes through cracks or openings in walls or foundations. The only way for residents to know if their home has radon is to test.

Testing is easy, inexpensive and only takes 3-7 days. The best time to test is during the heating season, but testing can be done year-round. Test kits are available at no charge for Freeborn County homeowners at Freeborn County Public Health.

You can obtain more information on radon from the Minnesota Department of Health website.