Freeborn County Public Health

08/06/2025

Our Anita is famous!!! Well deserved recognition for all the hard work you do as a Freeborn County Public Health Nurse!

07/29/2025

What Do Tornado Sirens REALLY Mean?

Outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors of dangerous or potentially life-threatening weather nearby—most commonly tornadoes or severe thunderstorms with damaging winds or hail.

🔊 When you hear the sirens:

They will sound for about 3 continuous minutes.

There is no "all clear" siren—so if you hear one, it means take action now.

🚨 What should you do?

Go indoors immediately.

Once inside, check reliable sources for updates like:

A NOAA weather radio

Trusted weather apps or websites

Local news stations

✅ Stay informed. Stay safe.

Have questions about severe weather or emergency preparedness?

📞 Call Freeborn County Public Health and ask for the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at 507-377-5100.

07/24/2025

07/17/2025

As we enter peak growing season with corn reaching its full height, it’s a great time to remind drivers of the importance of stopping at rural intersections. The height of the corn significantly obstructs visibility at intersections, creating blind spots that can lead to devastating crashes. Never rely on indirect indicators like dust during the day or headlights at night that another vehicle may be approaching. These do not provide adequate warning, and never assume that the other driver will yield or stop.

Stay safe:
• Stop at corners, even if there's no stop sign.
• Stop, even if you know the other road has a stop sign.
• Stop, even if you think no one is coming.

We've seen too many friends, neighbors and loved ones suffer injuries or fatalities at these blind rural intersections during growing season. Your life is precious. Rushing to save a few seconds just isn't worth the risk. Whether you're walking, biking, on a motorcycle, ATV, in your car or driving farm equipment, always – without exception – stop at the corners.

07/09/2025

With warm weather and more people out and about, e-bikes are becoming a common sight on our roads and trails. Whether you’re riding or driving near them, it’s important to understand the laws and how to keep everyone safe.

Here’s what you need to know:

No license or permit is required to operate an e-bike in Minnesota.
Minimum rider age is 15.
E-bikes are regulated similarly to bicycles, so most bicycle laws apply.
Riders should follow traffic signs and signals and yield to pedestrians.

If you're driving near e-bike riders, be extra alert, give them plenty of space and slow down – especially in neighborhoods or shared-use paths. Whether you’re behind the handlebars, behind the wheel or walking, safety is a shared responsibility. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

07/03/2025

We hope everyone has a FUN & SAFE 3rd and 4th of July!!! A few reminders... 🍔♨️🔥🧨🎉🇺🇲

07/01/2025

ATTENTION: A new state law is effective today that allows motorcycles to share lanes with vehicles under specific conditions. The Minnesota Safety Council and Minnesota Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) developed a resource to help drivers and riders understand the changes to ensure this new law leads to greater safety, not greater risk. Drivers or riders looking for additional resources on lane sharing should go to drivesmartmn.org for more information.

Lane Splitting (when traffic is moving):
Motorcyclists may pass between vehicles in the same lane only if:

Traffic is moving and there are two or more lanes in the same direction.
The motorcycle is going no more than 25 mph.
The rider is traveling no more than 15 mph faster than other traffic.

Lane Filtering (when traffic is stopped):
Motorcyclists may move between stopped vehicles (such as at a traffic light or traffic jam) only if:

There are two or more lanes in the same direction.
The rider travels no more than 15 mph faster than other traffic.

Where It’s Not Allowed:

In roundabouts or their approaches/exits
In school zones
In single-lane work zones
On freeway/expressway on-ramps

Whether you're behind the handlebars or the wheel, it's important to stay alert, check blind spots, and give motorcycles space. Let’s work together to drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

06/25/2025

Trains can’t stop quickly. A freight train going 55 mph can take a mile or more to come to a full stop — that’s the length of 18 football fields. In Minnesota, from 2020 to 2024, there were 178 rail crossing incidents resulting in 12 deaths and 58 injuries — most of which could have been prevented.

Today is Emergency Notification System (ENS) Sign Awareness Day! The campaign is dedicated to shining a spotlight on the lifesaving importance of the Blue and White ENS Signs posted at railroad crossings. The ENS signs provide a phone number and location information needed to quickly report emergencies or safety concerns around tracks and trains directly to the railroad. These signs can help you save a life, but only if you know where to find them and how to use them.

As a safety refresher, here are key tips:

Always expect a train. Trains can come at any time from either direction.
Slow down, look both ways, and listen. Don’t rely only on signals.
Never stop on the tracks. Make sure there’s space to fully cross.
Obey all signs, signals, and gates. Never try to beat a train or drive around lowered gates.
At multiple tracks, check each direction. Another train may be coming.
If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, exit immediately and move away in the direction the train is coming from. Look for the blue Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign or call 911.

Stay alert, stay safe to help prevent crashes before they happen. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

06/23/2025

Yard work season is in full swing, and as we fire up our mowers and tidy up our lawns, it is important to keep in mind that grass clippings on the road can be deadly for motorcyclists. Even when they look dry, grass clippings are still about 85% water, making them as slick as ice. Add a little rain, and they become even more dangerous, especially on curves or during sudden stops.

Preventing this is simple:

Mow with intention: Make your last pass the one closest to the street, so clippings stay on your lawn.
Aim wisely: Position your mower to blow clippings back into the yard. They naturally fertilize and hydrate your lawn as they decompose, so it's a bonus!

Most people don’t intend to create a dangerous situation, so with a little extra care, we can make our roads safer for everyone during motorcycle season. Thanks for doing your part as we work together to move Minnesota toward zero deaths.

06/02/2025

The stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the most traveled and deadliest time on Minnesota roads. While traffic deaths so far this year are lower than in 2024 at this time, yearly fatalities remain higher than before the pandemic. As we head into the busy summer travel season, we need to work together to turn the "100 deadliest days" into the 100 safest days on the road. Warmer weather and dry roads tempt drivers to speed and make other dangerous driving choices. This leads to increased fatalities, but smart choices behind the wheel can save lives.

Let’s work together to remind drivers to:

Stay off the phone – hands-free is the law.
Set navigation before driving or have a passenger help.
Pull over to eat or manage distractions.
Teach kids to be safe passengers.
Buckle up, always plan a sober ride and obey the speed limit.

Lead by example and encourage your friends, family and neighbors to drive smarter and safer. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

05/23/2025