Our vision:
A safe and healthy Kitsap County for all.
Water Recreation
Data Dashboards
Creating a Healthy Home
Most of us spend more time at home than anywhere else. Our homes can have a big effect on our physical and mental wellbeing. Click the buttons below to learn different ways to help your home stay safe and healthy.
Rodents and
Other Pests
Bedbugs
Indoor Air
Quality
Smoke and
Carbon Monoxide
Lead Exposure
Mold
Mosquitoes
Drug Contamination
Built Environment
Climate Change
Rodents and Other Pests
Health effects: Pests can carry diseases that can make humans sick, as well as cause allergic reactions.
Prevention tips:
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Keep your living and cooking areas clean. Rodents are more likely to be in homes that have food crumbs, scraps, and spills on their floors and counters.
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If rats or other rodents are already in your home, make sure that all of your food is stored in pest-proof containers.
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Keep crawl spaces, vents, cracks, and spaces under doors sealed.
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If you have birdfeeders, store birdseed in rodent-proof containers. Clean up any birdseed that has spilled onto the ground.
Bedbugs
Health effects: Bedbugs in your home can cause allergic reactions to bites (like itchiness). Bedbugs are frustrating and can cause stress, but they are not known to carry diseases that make humans sick.
Prevention:
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When traveling, inspect sheets and mattresses for signs of bedbugs (reddish stains, bedbug feces or eggs). Do not stay in a room if you think it has bedbugs.
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Inspect secondhand furniture for bedbugs before bringing it into your home.
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If there are bedbugs in your home, tumble-dry all clothes and bedding on the "high" setting to kill bedbugs. Vacuum carpets and rugs to capture any stray bedbugs.
Indoor Air Quality
Health effects: Poor indoor air quality impacts everyone, especially children, older adults, and people with health problems like asthma or heart disease.
Prevention:
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Improve air circulation by opening windows (when the weather permits) and turning on ceiling fans.
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Use HEPA filters to filter out bad air quality.
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Choose gentler, less toxic, and unscented cleaning products.
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Avoid storing chemicals (paints, fuels, etc.) in your home, or store them in the smallest possible amount and in sealed containers.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide
Health effects: Smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide can be deadly household hazards.
Prevention:
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Install at least one smoke detector on each level of your home, as well as in every bedroom. Install at least one carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home.
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Regularly test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure that they are working properly.
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Have fire extinguishers and know how to use them.
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Have an escape plan.
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Regularly clean your chimney/flue to prevent the buildup of flammable residues.
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Do not use barbeques or gas ovens to heat your home.
Pool & Spa Safety
Each year thousands of Kitsap County residents swim in public swimming pools at parks, hotels, athletic clubs, apartment complexes and schools. If these pools and spas are not regularly maintained, they may create public health hazards.
Our Role
We promote recreational water safety in our community by:
Educating public pool and spa operators about health and safety issues
Inspection public swimming pools and spas routinely
Investigating reports of illness or complaints about potential hazards in public pools and spas
Investigating drowning and near drowning incidents in public pools
Public Pool & Spa Operators
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) must complete a plan review prior to the construction of any new public swimming pool, spa, wading pool or spray park in Kitsap County.
A plan review may also be required when you remodel existing facilities including modifications to comply with the Federal Virginia Graeme Baker Act. DOH has guidelines to help you determine when you need a plan review for pool remodeling or modifications.
If you are a pool owners or operator, make sure you have the right pool signage, monitoring log sheets, and injury report forms.
For information about lifeguarding, the American Red Cross.
Resources for Home Pools & Hot Tubs
The 5 Layers of Protection | National Drowning Prevention Alliance
Healthy Swimming | CDC
Home Pool Safety | Washington State Dept. of Health
Home Pool & Hot Tub Safety | American Red Cross
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