Need to clear up something Ray posted so as not to spread panic
MRSA is a bacterial infection that's resistent to many common antibiotics. It's caused by the bacteria staphylococcus aureus. Most of these infections aren't serious, most aren't even noticed, but some can be life threatening. These infections are very common and are transmitted by direct contact.
The "flesh eating" bateria is a completely different bug, usually Streptococcus pyogenes, but also Vibrio vulnificus from handling sea animals. This type of infection is very rare and can only be spread by extremely close contact.
Back to the topic at hand.
Ticks aren't to be taken lightly. Lyme disease can be a nasty thing if it's not treated immediately, and there are plenty of other things that ticks can carry that can/will knock you on your butt.
I'm a few minutes from Lyme, CT... right in that solid blue area. I normally know at least one person, year round, being treated for Lyme disease. The best prevention in my mind is just checking yourself over thoroughly after coming inside.
Tick's usually wander around your body for a few hours before finding a good place to have a meal. That gives you lots of time to find the little bas**rds. Transmission of most of the nasty things they carry is rare until they've been attached for a few hours, so that gives you even more time.