🦝 Raccoon Snacks, Storm-Day Smarts and Sneezy Season: Your Healthy Valley Report

Or: Small, Easy Ways to Keep the Family Well Through a Busy October Week

Staying healthy in the fall is a lot like keeping a good garden. You don’t need to do everything at once. You pull a few weeds, water when it’s dry and keep an eye on the sky. This week brings a little of everything: something unusual falling from airplanes over our neighboring counties, a rainy weekend from the leftovers of Isaias, the tail end of ragweed season and a few free places to get checked out.

Here’s what’s in this week’s report: a rabies vaccine bait drop starting today over parts of Marion, Hamilton and Rhea counties, two health habits that matter most if the power blinks this weekend, why your nose may be acting up and what helps, a free Health Fair Expo at the Chattanooga Market on Sunday, Oct. 11, World Mental Health Day this Saturday, Oct. 10, and the one number worth knowing and the next free clinic and flu shot dates on the calendar.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Find a small, fishy-smelling packet in the yard? It’s likely a raccoon rabies vaccine bait. Leave it alone, or move it with gloves if kids or pets play there.
• Running a generator this weekend? Keep it outside, at least 20 feet from doors and windows, never on the porch or in the carport. A battery carbon monoxide alarm inside is cheap peace of mind.
• Power out more than 4 hours? Move fridge food to a cooler with ice. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Sneezing? Ragweed usually fades after the first hard frost, but wet leaves bring mold. Shower and change clothes after yard work.
• Feeling low, or worried about someone? Call or text 988 any time, day or night.
• Write these down: Health Fair Expo Sun., Oct. 11 · RAM free clinic Oct. 17–18 · Free flu shots Tue., Oct. 20.

🦝 Don’t Eat the Fish Snacks: Rabies Vaccine Baits Start Falling Today Next Door

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services start their yearly rabies bait drop today, Oct. 7. Low-flying airplanes and helicopters will drop small vaccine packets for wild raccoons across parts of 15 counties along Tennessee’s borders with Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. That list includes our neighbors in Marion, Hamilton and Rhea counties, along with Bradley, McMinn, Meigs and Polk. Sequatchie County is not on the list, but if you farm, hunt or visit family in those counties, you may spot one.

The baits are small packets coated in an oily, fish-scented coating so raccoons will want them. Each one carries a warning label and a toll-free number, 1-877-722-6725. Here’s what the USDA says to do if you find one:

• Leave it alone unless it’s where children or pets play.
• If it needs moving, wear gloves or use a towel or plastic bag, and toss it into a wooded or brushy spot where wildlife will find it.
• If your dog eats one, don’t panic. The USDA says eating the baits won’t harm your pet, though eating a lot of them might upset its stomach. Don’t try to pull one out of your pet’s mouth, since you could get bitten.
• Wash your hands with soap and water if a packet looks broken open.
• Teach the kids to leave baits alone.

What it means for you: Think of it like a flu shot for the raccoons, delivered by air mail. Fewer sick raccoons means more safety for people, pets and livestock. TDH notes that rabies is 100% preventable when people get medical care right away after an exposure, so if a wild animal ever bites or scratches you, wash the spot and call your doctor or the health department that day. And keep the dogs, cats and barn cats current on their rabies shots.

👉 Read more (TDH: Annual rabies bait drop) · TDH: Rabies information

⛈️ If the Power Blinks This Weekend, Two Health Habits Matter Most

Our weather report today covered the big picture: Isaias stays on the Gulf Coast, and the Valley gets a good soaking with some gusty wind Saturday into Sunday. A downed limb or two could mean a power outage. If that happens, the two health risks the CDC talks about most are simple ones: carbon monoxide and spoiled food.

Generators and carbon monoxide (CO):

• The CDC says never run a generator, pressure washer or any gas engine inside the house, basement or garage, or less than 20 feet from a window, door or vent. Use an extension cord longer than 20 feet to keep it out there.
• The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) adds: not on the porch and not in the carport. Opening doors or windows isn’t enough. Point the exhaust away from the house.
• Put a battery-powered or battery-backup CO alarm in the house when you use a generator.
• CO has no color or smell. The CPSC says early signs can feel like nausea, dizziness or weakness. If the alarm sounds or folks feel that way, get everyone outside into fresh air and call 911.

Keeping food safe:

• Keep the fridge and freezer doors shut. Food stays safe about 4 hours in the fridge, 48 hours in a full freezer and 24 hours in a half-full one.
• Out longer than 4 hours? The CDC says move perishables like meat, milk, eggs and leftovers into a cooler with ice and keep them at 40°F or below.
• Food that still has ice crystals, or is at 40°F or below, can be refrozen or cooked.
• Never taste food to test it. Throw out anything with an odd smell, color or texture, and any food that touched floodwater.

What it means for you: Most of this is like checking the tires before a long trip. Two minutes now saves a headache later. Tuck a cheap appliance thermometer in the fridge and freezer, freeze a few jugs of water to use as ice and pick out your generator spot in daylight on Friday. If you run a restaurant, café or food truck, the same 4-hour rule and 40°F mark apply to your coolers, so jot down times and temperatures if the power goes out.

👉 Read more (CDC: Staying safe during a power outage) · CDC: Keep food safe after an emergency · CPSC: Generator safety tips

🤧 Sneezing on the Porch? Blame Ragweed Now, and Wet Leaves Next

If your nose has been running like a leaky faucet, you’ve got company. The Chattanooga Allergy Clinic says ragweed season in the Tennessee Valley runs from early August until the first hard frost, usually in late October, with the peak in September. One ragweed plant can release up to a billion grains of pollen. The good news is it’s winding down. The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau’s daily report this week shows ragweed pollen low, grass moderate and mold spores high.

Mold is the one to watch next. A Chattanooga allergy doctor told WDEF that fall’s other big allergen is mold and mildew, which picks up with damp weather and falling leaves. A rainy weekend plus leaf season means mold may stick around a while.

What it means for you: Fall allergies are like a houseguest who stays a little too long. They’ll leave once the frost comes. Until then, the simple things help: shower and change clothes after raking or mowing, keep windows closed on high-pollen days and run the AC or a fan instead. Allergy pills and nasal sprays from the drugstore help many folks. Ask your pharmacist which one fits you, especially if you take other medicines. If sneezing turns into wheezing, or symptoms won’t quit, check with your doctor.

👉 Read more (Chattanooga Allergy Clinic: Ragweed season) · Daily pollen and mold count · WDEF: Fall allergens

🎪 A Free Health Fair Sunday at the Chattanooga Market

The Chattanooga Market is turning this Sunday, Oct. 11, into a Health Fair Expo. It runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern, which is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. our time, under the First Horizon Pavilion at 1801 Reggie White Blvd. The market says the day brings together health and wellness groups and local providers with resources, information and services for the whole family, plus live music. Admission is free. Parking is in a pay lot on site.

What it means for you: It’s like a county fair where the blue ribbons are good health tips. Sunday looks rainy, but the booths are under the pavilion roof, so it could be a nice indoor-ish outing for a wet afternoon. Bring a short list of questions, like a medicine you’re unsure about or a screening you’ve been putting off, and come home with answers. Pets aren’t allowed inside the pavilion, according to the market.

👉 Read more (Chattanooga Market: Health Fair Expo)

💬 World Mental Health Day Is Saturday: Check on Your People

Saturday, Oct. 10, is World Mental Health Day. In the Valley, looking after each other is just what we do. We bring a casserole when someone’s sick. A phone call, a porch visit or a “how are you really doing?” can mean just as much when someone’s carrying a heavy load.

It also helps to know there’s always someone to talk to. Tennessee’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services says anyone can call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, for free, 24 hours a day, to reach a trained counselor. It isn’t only for the worst moments. The state says it’s there for any kind of emotional distress, and you can call for yourself or because you’re worried about a loved one. Tennesseans can call 988 and press 0 to be routed to a counselor right away. The state says more than half of those conversations are handled by simply talking things through.

What it means for you: Think of 988 like the number for the volunteer fire department. You hope you won’t need it, but it’s good to have on the fridge. Shorter days and a busy season can wear on folks, so this weekend, call that friend you’ve been meaning to call. Small business owners, a quick check-in with your crew goes a long way too.

👉 Read more (Tennessee: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) · 988lifeline.org

🗓️ Missed Today’s Free Clinic? Here’s What’s Next on the Calendar

UTC’s free MobileMOC clinic made its October stops in Dunlap today. If you couldn’t make it, its October calendar shows two more stops within a reasonable drive in Rhea County (times are Eastern, so subtract an hour for Valley time):

• Monday, Oct. 12: Rhea-Richland Senior Neighbors, 241 Alabama Ave., Dayton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET.
• Thursday, Oct. 22: Grandview Community Center, 175 Emergency Road, Grandview, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET. UTC’s calendar lists a free diabetes education class that day on medicines, medication safety and diabetes technology, with games and prizes. Call to confirm the class time, since listings differ.

MobileMOC is free for anyone 18 and older, with or without insurance. Appointments fill up fast, so call (423) 425-1657. Two dates we told you about earlier this week are still on, with a few new details:

• Remote Area Medical (RAM), Oct. 17–18: Local 3 News reports the free clinic at Notre Dame High School, 2701 Vermont Ave., Chattanooga, opens its doors around 6 a.m. Eastern Saturday, and the parking lot opens by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. RAM says the clinic often fills up early in the day, especially for dental and vision, and Local 3 notes that patients may need to choose one or the other. Medical care is available to all.
• Free flu shots, Tuesday, Oct. 20: Every county health department in the Valley, ages 6 months and up, no appointment needed. In Dunlap, that’s the Sequatchie County Health Department, 16939 Rankin Ave., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What it means for you: There’s no rush and no need to worry. WGNS reported this week that flu activity is still very low across Tennessee, which is normal this early. Flu usually doesn’t pick up until December through February. October is a good time to get your shot so you’re ready, like stacking firewood before the first cold snap. Questions about whether a shot is right for you? Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

👉 Read more (UTC MobileMOC calendar) · Grandview diabetes class · Local 3 News: RAM clinic details · TDH: Fight Flu TN

✅ Your Healthy Valley Checklist

• ✅ See a fishy-smelling packet? Leave it alone, or move it with gloves. Remind the kids.
• ✅ Make sure your pets’ rabies shots are up to date.
• ✅ Pick your generator spot 20 feet from the house, and put batteries in a CO alarm.
• ✅ Freeze a few jugs of water and set a thermometer in the fridge. Power out over 4 hours? Use the cooler.
• ✅ After yard work, shower and change clothes to wash off pollen and mold.
• ✅ Put 988 on the fridge next to the doctor and the health department, and call someone you’ve been missing.
• ✅ Mark the calendar: Oct. 11 Health Fair Expo, Oct. 17–18 RAM clinic, Oct. 20 free flu shots.

Practical rule: Keep it simple. Gloves for strange packets, 20 feet for generators, 4 hours for the fridge and 988 for a heavy heart.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what’s right for you and your family. In an emergency, call 911.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Health Glossary

• Rabies: A virus spread mainly through bites from infected animals. It’s fatal once symptoms start, but fully preventable with prompt medical care after an exposure.
• Oral rabies vaccine bait: A small, fish-scented packet holding vaccine that wild raccoons eat, which protects them from rabies.
• USDA Wildlife Services: The federal agency that runs the bait drop with the Tennessee Department of Health.
• Carbon monoxide (CO): A gas from engines, generators and fuel-burning heaters that you can’t see or smell. It can make people and animals very sick in closed spaces.
• CO alarm: A detector, like a smoke alarm, that beeps when carbon monoxide builds up. Battery or battery-backup models work when the power is out.
• Perishable food: Food that spoils without cold, like meat, milk, eggs, cut fruit and leftovers.
• Ragweed: A common weed whose pollen is the top cause of fall hay fever.
• Mold spores: Tiny bits that mold releases into the air, often more common in damp weather and wet leaves.
• 988: The free, 24/7 phone, text and chat line for anyone in emotional distress or worried about someone.
• MobileMOC: UTC College of Nursing’s free mobile clinic that travels around Southeast Tennessee.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are rabies baits being dropped in Sequatchie County?

Sequatchie County isn’t on this year’s list. The drop covers parts of 15 counties along the state’s borders, including neighboring Marion, Hamilton and Rhea. If you find a bait anywhere, call the number printed on it, 1-877-722-6725.

My dog ate a bait. What should I do?

The USDA says eating the baits won’t harm your pet, though eating several might upset its stomach. Don’t try to take one out of your pet’s mouth. Call the number on the bait or your veterinarian if you have questions.

Can I run my generator on the porch if it’s raining?

No. The CPSC says a porch or carport is too close to the house. Keep it outdoors at least 20 feet away and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for wet weather, which may include a generator tent or waiting until the rain passes.

How do I know if fridge food is still safe after an outage?

Check the temperature. Perishable food that has been above 40°F, or without power or ice for more than 4 hours, should be thrown out. Never taste food to decide. When in doubt, throw it out.

Is 988 only for emergencies?

No. Tennessee says 988 is for any kind of emotional distress, including for people worried about a loved one. It’s free and open 24 hours a day by call, text or chat. In a medical emergency, call 911.

Do I need to pay or show insurance at the Health Fair Expo?

Admission is free, according to the Chattanooga Market. Parking is in a pay lot on site. Individual booths may offer different services, so ask at each one.

🔗 Other Resources

• TDH: Rabies information
• USDA: National rabies program
• USDA: Keep your food safe during emergencies
• SVEC: Outage information and storm prep
• Chattanooga-Hamilton County daily pollen and air quality report
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• UTC MobileMOC: Free mobile clinic
• Remote Area Medical: Chattanooga clinic, Oct. 17–18
• TDH: Local health departments

🌻 A Healthy Valley Is Built One Small Habit at a Time

None of this week’s news calls for worry. It calls for a few easy habits: gloves for an odd packet in the yard, a safe spot for the generator, a cooler ready for the fridge food and a phone call to someone who’d love to hear from you. Do those, and you’ve done plenty.

We’ll keep watching for the clinics, screenings and free services so you don’t have to. Read Dunlap.Today and sign up for our newsletter for plain-English Valley news, and find local businesses anytime on Dunlap.Directory.