There are early signs that tick bites could be bad this year. According to the CDC, last month, the rate of people seeking emergency care for tick bites was the highest it’s been since 2019. Not every tick bite yields disease; however, most reported cases of vector-borne disease come from ticks. Here are the facts to know about these critters and tips to help you stay safe:➡️ If you are spending time outside, make sure to do frequent tick checks on yourself, family members and pets. If you find a tick on you, take it off as soon as possible. ➡️ If bitten, after removing the tick, try to identify key information about the critter to help determine your risks. This includes what kind of tick it is and how long it has been feeding on you. You can figure this out on the Tick Encounter website. ➡️ The risk of getting a tick-borne disease like Lyme varies by location, which the CDC divides into three regions: North, South and West. Tick bites are most common in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and Upper Midwest, with much of the region considered high risk for Lyme disease. | 