Contact

Health Department
1000 Lake View Drive
Suite 100
Wausau, WI 54403

P: 715-261-1900 (also TDD)
F: 715-261-1901

Home Safety

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Marathon County Health department collaborates with Safe Kids Marathon County to help families with safety needs. For a complete list of Injury Prevention Resources, visit Aspirus Safe Kids.

Car Seats

A car seat sitting on a carpeted floor

Safe Kids Marathon County coalition coordinates community events promoting safety for children including car seat inspections and bike helmet sales. To learn more about the Safe Kids Marathon County, use the link below.

Safe Sleep Cribs Program

Marathon County Health Department’s Cribs program ensures every newborn has a safe place to sleep. Low-income families who are unable to afford a crib or bassinet for their baby can secure a Graco portable crib. Along with receiving a portable crib, a public health professional provides one-on-one education to parents on safe-sleep practices. To learn more about the program, please call 715-261-1900 and ask to leave a message. Messages will be returned within 24 business hours.

Healthy Homes

Expectant families are offered a home safety assessment as part of our services through Nurse-Family Partnership. The assessment addresses common safety concerns for families with newborns and young children including assuring working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, educating on a safe sleep environment for infants, exposure to secondhand smoke, and the risks of lead based paint. The nurse also discusses the need for outlet covers, safety latches, safety gates and blind cord wraps. In addition, safe drinking water for families with private wells and a well test for families engaged in services are offered.

American Association of Poison Control Centers: 1-800-222-1222
Wisconsin Poison Center
American Academy of Pediatrics: Home Safety: Tips for Families With Young Children
Home Safety Checklists
Find out more about toys, household items, and other products that have been recalled

Well Water

For more information about well water testing, and if you are interested in getting yours tested, please see our Water Testing page.

Lead

Marathon County Health Department has a public health nurse and environmental health professionals that work with families whose children have had evidence of exposure to lead. Lead exposure is responsible for serious health issues in children. As the Wisconsin Department of Health Services states “Lead exposure in young children can cause reduced IQ and attention span, learning disabilities, developmental delays, and a range of other health and behavioral effects. Most exposures occur in homes or daycares built before 1978 where lead-based paint has deteriorated.

Prevention of lead poisoning can be accomplished by eliminating lead-based paint hazards before children are exposed. Wisconsin's goal is to eliminate this disease by working to make Wisconsin's housing lead-safe, and by improving the detection and treatment of lead poisoning in children” (Lead-Safe Wisconsin).