Health Tip: Check Yourself for Ticks

(HealthDay News) -- Ticks can harbor a number of disease-causing germs, including bacteria that cause Lyme disease.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says you should frequently check yourself, your children and pets for ticks, particularly if you live near an infested area.

The CDC offers this advice:

• Take a bath or shower as soon as you come inside, preferably within two hours.
• Use a handheld mirror to check your body from head to toe.
• Carefully inspect children after they've played outdoors, paying attention to the underarms, belly button, ears, hair, behind the knees and between the legs.
• Inspect clothing and gear before you bring it into the home.
• Check pets for ticks when they've come inside.
• Put clothing in a dryer and tumble dry on high heat for an hour to kill any ticks that may linger.