Recently in Safety Category

Halloween is just around the corner! Texas AgriLife Extension Service urges parents and family service providers to take precaution with children's safety, both indoor and outdoor, while enjoying the fun and excitment. Here are a few resources of tips to help keep children safe and sound on Halloween:

The American Red Cross, http://american.redcross.org/site/DocServer/RC_HalloweenSafety08.pdf?docID=677

The American Academy of Pediatrics, http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/octhalloween.cfm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/family/Halloween/

The US Consumer Prodcut Safety Commission, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/hallow.html

Happy Halloween!

Once again Texas Department of Transportation is conducting a seat belt demo project in the five Texas counties with the highest rate of unbuckled teen deaths. Dallas County is one of them!

The campain will be conducted throughout the month of October with extra enforcement October 19-25. The Click It or Ticket Teen campaign last May was extremely successful. The effort increased both driver and passenger safety belt use by 4.5 percentage points.

Teens, go to http://seatbeltsrock.com/. Take the "Are you smarter than your seatbelt?" quiz and win stuff!

Did you know?

• Crashes are the #1 killer of teens.
• A teen dies in a traffic crash an average of once every hour on weekends and nearly once every two hours during the week.
• The majority of teens killed in traffic crashes are not buckled up.

Remember:

• Texas law now requires that everyone in the vehicle -- in front and back seats -- wear a safety belt!
• Wear your seat belt. It can be the most important thing you plan for--your future!

For information about passenger safety programs contact Bev Kellner, Program Manager of Passenger Safety, Texas AgriLife Extension Service at 979-862-1782 (phone) or bkellner@ag.tamu.edu (email). 

Children react to disaster differently according to their age.  They may respond to disaster by demonstrating increased anxiety or emotional and behavioral problems.

According to the American Red Cross, children from birth to 2 years of age may display some of the following common physical and emotional reactions after a disaster or traumatic event.

Birth to 2 years--When children are pre-verbal and experience a trauma, they do not have the words to describe the event or their feelings.  However, they can retain memories of particular sights, sounds, or smells.  Infants may react to trauma by being irritable, crying more than usual, or wanting to be held and cuddled.  As children get older, their play may involve acting  our elements of the traumatic event that occurred several years in the past and was seemingly forgotten.

Stay tuned to "Lifeline" for more information on other age groups and how they cope with disaster and traumatic events.

For more information on helping children cope with disaster or traumatic events, please contact us or visit our websites at:
pvcep.pvamu.edu; or
dallas-tx.tamu.edu; or contact Marvin R. Young at 214-904-3050 or mryoung@tamu.edu

New traffic laws took effect September 1st in Texas. Listed below are a few you should be aware of but please visit the Texas Department of Public Safety website (http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/pr081109.pdf) for more details.

1. Teen Drivers: The laws for teenage drivers are getting tougher. Drivers younger than 18 are banned from using cell phones while driving (dialing, talking, texting) and total hours of behind-the-wheel driving instruction a teen receives is increasing from 14 to 34 before getting a license.
2. Driving in a School Zone: The use of a wireless device within a reduced-speed zone is prohibited. Cellular phones may be used while the vehicle is stopped in a school zone or with a hands-free device. The law also applies to bus drivers. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $200.
3. Seat Belts: All occupants of a vehicle, no matter their age, front and back seat, must wear seat belts.

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service urges you to be a safe driver and drive safe!

With Labor Day approaching, many are ready to celebrate the end of summer and enjoy time with their family and friends. Unfortunately, the Labor Day holiday also brings an increase in crime -- the crime of drunk driving on our highways. In Texas, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter or higher. In 2007, there were 1,292 alcohol-related fatalities on Texas roadways. Approximately one-third of fatal crashes are alcohol-related.

Impaired-driving crashes are not accidents -- they are crimes. Nationally, there is approximately one fatal alcohol-related crash with BAC .08 or more every 45 minutes. Drunk driving is one of the most often committed and deadly crimes in this country. The victims are not always just the drunk drivers themselves. Innocent victims often include the driver's family and friends. Many children are killed in these crashes.

From August 21 - September 7, 2009, law enforcement will conduct the annual Impaired Driving National Enforcement Crackdown. The title of the campaign is Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. During this time, there will be no exceptions. Drunk drivers will be stopped and arrested. Violators often face jail time, loss of their drivers' licenses, or being setenced to use an ignition interlock. Even if a driver survives an alcohol-related crash, the consequences can still virtually destroy your life.

Drunk-driving fatalities are four times higher during nighttime hours than during the daytime and more than twice as high on weekends compared to weekdays. Law enforcement will be on a mission day and night to arrest drunk drivers and save lives!

To avoid the tragedy caused by drunk driving, follow these safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• If you are planning to drink alcohol with friends, designate a sober driver before going out - and give that person your keys.
• If you are impaired, do not drive. Call a taxi; use mass transit if available, or call a sober friend of family member to get you home safely.
• Promptly report impaired drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement.
• Wear your seat belt while in a car, or use a helmet and protective gear when on a motorcycle, as these are your best defenses against impaired drivers.
• And remember, if you know people who are about to drive or ride with impaired, take their keys - and help them get to where they are going safely.  

The Law

Effective 9/1/09, all children under age 8, UNLESS taller than 4'9", need to be in a child safety seat system, which includes traditional car seats with harnesses AND booster seats, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Best Practice

Children who are over 8 years old, but not yet 4'9" tall, are best protected in booster seats. Booster seats help to raise a child up so the vehicle lap/shoulder belt fits properly.

Follow the 4 STEPS

Step 1 -- Rear-facing seats in the back seat from birth to at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds. Longer rear-facing is recommended to the maximum the seat allows.

Step 2 -- Forward-facing toddler seats in the back seat when child is a minimum of age 1 and 20 pounds to about age 4 and 40 pounds or more.

Step 3 -- Booster seats in the back seat from about age 4 to at least age 8, unless 4'9" tall.

Step 4 -- Safety belts at age 8 and older or taller than 4'9". All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat.

Source: Texas Department of Transportation & Texas AgriLife Extension Service Passenger Safety. 

Additional information about booster seats: http://agrilifeblogs.tamu.edu/blogs/lifeline/2009/06/does-your-child-need-a-booster-seat.html

For more information or questions about passenger safety contact Bev Kellner at (979) 862-1782 or bkellner@ag.tamu.edu.

     The Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie View A&M University, Texas AgriLife Extension, and the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) are helping citizens of Dallas and the state of Texas to get prepared for the unexpected by providing useful tips to cope with disaster that may occur. 
     September is National Emergency Mangement/Preparedness Month.  And, preparing for disasters helps everyone in the family accept the fact that disaster can happen, and provides an opportunity to identify and collect the resources needed to meet basic needs after disasters.  According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Red Cross, Preparedness includes:

1. Talking about damage that may be caused by disasters that can strike where you live;
2. Deciding on a number to call and a place where the family will reunite if separated by a disaster;
3. Pulling together basic supplies;
4. Selecting valued personal items to take along such as toys for children and medicines for people who may be sick; and
5. Safeguarding personal and valuable items
   

For more details on making an emergency supply kit and other important procedures be sure to contact Marvin Young at 214-904-3050 or mryoung@tamu.edu.

Also see our websites at:
http://pvcep.pvamu.edu/
http://dallas-tx.tamu.edu

Or for access to more information on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery you may contact the EDEN website at:  texashelp.tamu.edu

Excessive exposure to a hot environment, especially while active or working, can bring about a variety of heat-induced symptoms - some mild and some severe. Heat illness can range from mild to moderate cramping and leg swelling to more severe heat exhaustion and even fatal heat stroke if the body's temperature is not brought down. In all these cases, you will want to get the person to a cooler environment - an air conditioned building if possible - or under a shade tree or other shaded area if air conditioning is not available. You will also want to be sure the person is hydrated with regular sips of cool (not ice cold) water or electrolyte-containing sports drink (unless vomiting ensues or heat stroke symptoms are evident).

·         For cramping, you can apply firm pressure or gentle massage.

·         For leg swelling, elevate the legs. Call a doctor if elevation doesn't bring the swelling down.

·         For heat exhaustion (characterized by dizziness or feeling faint, headache, nausea, profuse sweating, clammy/cool skin, rapid/weak pulse, low-grade fever, low blood pressure, and ashen or pale appearance), get the person out of the sun; lay him/her down; and cool the body with cool, wet cloths (changing them often) or by spraying or sponging the body with cool water.

·         If signs of heat stroke are present (characterized by high body temperature [103 degrees F, orally]; red, hot, dry skin; no sweating; rapid heartbeat; rapid, shallow breathing; dizziness; nausea, confusion, irritability, and/or unconsciousness), call 9-1-1 immediately, and begin cooling the body in whatever way possible. Time is crucial, so use whatever means are available for cooling - get the victim to shade or air conditioning; immerse the victim in a cool bath or shower, or spray with a garden water hose; sponge or spray with cool water. If the humidity is low, you can wrap the victim in a cool, wet sheet and fan him/her vigorously. Do NOT give the victim fluids in this case.

To stay safe in the heat and prevent heat illness, allow your body to adjust by limiting your activity at first. Slow down and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day (between 10 am & 4 pm), if possible. Wear a wide-brimmed hat; wrap-around, 100 percent UV protective sunglasses; and loose fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing to allow some of the sun's energy to be reflected away from the body. Drink plenty of water even if you are not thirsty. Your body needs water to stay cool. If you are doing strenuous activity for more than 1 hour, try an electrolyte-replenishing drink, like Gatorade or Powerade. Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals. Avoid salt tablets unless directed to do so by your doctor.

Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning or who spend much of their time alone. If possible, spend the warmest part of the day in public buildings with air conditioning, such as libraries, schools, theaters, malls, or other community facilities. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest level of the building. Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle, even when you crack or roll down the windows - temperatures inside a vehicle climb higher than the outdoor temperature.

Giving the body time to adjust to the heat, staying hydrated, and being aware of the signs of heat illness can help keep you and your loved ones safe in the sun.

 

 

Source: Janet M. Pollard, MPH, AgriLife Extension Associate - Health, Texas AgriLife Extension Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Passenger Safety will be conducting the National Child Passenger Safety Certification Program in Gatesville, Texas, July 14-17, 2009. This course is recommended for community professionals who wish to bring child passenger safety expertise to their communities. It is especially useful to law enforcement and fire department/EMS staff who often have to contend with the tragic results of non-use and misuse of child safety seats.

The course covers such topics as crash dymanics, vehicle occupant protection systems, correct selection, use and installation of child restraint systems as well as communicating with parents on the safest way to restrain their children. Written and performance tests are given throughout the course. A child safety seat checkup event will be held in the community on the final day of the training. Participation in all course activities and successful performance on all testing leads to a two-year national certification as a child passenger safety technician.

National Safe Kids is the certifying agency for the national training. There is a $60 fee payable to National SAFE KIDS at the time of registration. This fee covers course materials as well as the 2-year certification. For course registration information, please contact Mryna Hill (mrhill@ag.tamu.edu) at 979-862-4658 or 210-452-1496 or Bev Kellner (bkellner@ag.tamu.edu) at 979-862-1782 or 979-571-3925. 

Registration is done on-line through Safe Kids Worldwide at http://www.safekids.org/certification/.

Along with the coming of spring and summer is the potential for dangerous weather patterns.  Some dangerous weather gives up plenty of time to prepare, where other dangerous weather situations can happen at the blink of an eye.

Therefore, early preparation is always of the utmost importance if we plan to reduce injuries and loss of life.

The following questions will assist us in knowing if we are prepared or if we need to start today with getting better prepared.

*  Do you know what types of disasters can take place in your area?
*  Have you developed a family disaster plan?
*  Do you regularly review your family disaster plan?
*  Does your family disaster plan include a plan for communicating with family members          separated  by disaster?
*  Have you ever received information on what to include in a disaster supplies kit?
*  Have you put together a disaster supplies kit?
*  Do you know how to shelter in place?
*  Do you know who to contact in your community for more information on disaster preparedness?
*  Are you familiar with your community's warning systems and evacuation routes?
*  Do you know where emergency shelters are located in your community and in surrounding communities?
Have you asked your child's school about their disaster plan?
*  Do you have a NOAA Weather Radio or other batter-operated radio to hear disaster-related information?

If you answered "NO" to the questions, visit the Texas EDEN Web site at texashelp.tamu.edu for disaster preparedness resources.  Or you may contact Marvin R. Young at mryoung@tamu.edu or 214-904-3050.  You may alo visit our websites at:
pvcep-pvamu.edu or dallas-tx.tamu.edu for mor detailed information.

Summertime is almost here, and with the increase in temperatures, the danger of children dying from being left unattended in vehicles increases.

Temperatures in parked vehicles can rise very quickly. According to San Francisco State University's department of geosciences, in just 10 minutes the temperature can increase by almost 20 degrees. A child's body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult's, making children more vulnerable to a deadly condition known as hyperthermia or heat stroke. At a body temperature above 104 degrees, heat stroke can occur.

Although even mild outside temperatures can be dangerous, with Texas temperatures climbing into the upper 90s each day, the danger becomes even danger. Texas leads the nation with the highest number of vehicle hyperthermia deaths - 52 for the years 1998-2008. During this time period, more than half of the deaths were due to the child being "forgotten" in the vehicle by the caregiver. Parents and caregivers can take precautions to prevent these needless deaths by making sure that children are not left alone in vehicles and cannot have access to unlocked vehicles.

National Safe Kids report that one-third of the heat related deaths in 2000 were due to children becoming trapped in a vehicle they had crawled into.

Here are some safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• Never leave infants or children in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are partially open.
• Do not let children play in an unattended vehicle. Teach them that a vehicle is not a play area.
• Make a habit of looking in the vehicle - front and back - before locking the door and walking away.
• If you are dropping a child off at childcare, and normally it's your spouse or partner who drops them off, have your spouse or partner call you to make sure the drop went according to plan.
• Ask your childcare provider to call you if your child does not show up for childcare.
• Do things to remind yourself that a child is in the vehicle, such as writing yourself a note and putting the note where you will see it when you leave the vehicle; placing your purse, briefcase, or something else you need in the back seat so that you will have to check the back seat when you leave the vehicle. Another reminder is to keep an object in the car seat, such as a stuffed toy. When the child is buckled in, place the object where the driver will notice it when he or she is leaving the vehicle.
• Always lock vehicle doors and trunk, and keep keys out of children's reach.
• If a child is missing, check the vehicle first, including trunk.
• If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call the police.
• If a child is in distress due to heat, get them out of the vehicle as quickly as possible. Cool the child rapidly. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

While there are already some electronic gadgets on the market to help prevent these needless tragedies, the best precaution is to be vigilant and follow these safety recommendations.

 

Children who have outgrown their forward-facing seat (usually around age 4 & 40 lbs.) should ride in booster seats until 4'9" tall.

Take The 5-Step Test

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?

2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?

3. Does the belt across the shoulder between the neck and arm?

4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?

5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?  

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat to make both the shoulder belt and the lap belt fit right for the best crash protection. Your child will be more comfortable, too!

The back seat is the safest part of the car for all passengers. Recent research shows that children should ride in the back seat until they reach age 15.

Source: SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A., www.carseat.org

In the event an emergency happens and we find ourselves in the unenviable position of evacuating, just what should we do or where should we go?  Well, some of the things that we should have already discussed are as follows:
*  Escape routes (local and regional);
*  Family Communication;
*  Communication with emergency personnel;
*  Utility shut-off and safety;
*  Insurance and vital records;
*  Special Needs;
*  Safety Skills; and
*  Pet Care;

If you wish to receive more detailed information about ?Making a Family Plan", please contact Marvin R. Young to schedule an appointment for a presentation at 214-904-3050 or mryoung@tamu.edu, or visit our websites:
http://dallas-tx.tamu.edu
http://pvcep.pvamu.edu

According to Extension Disaster Education Network", (EDEN), part of the process in being "Prepared for the Unexpected" is to get informed by educating ourselves about just what types of disasters can occur in our area.

It is important to know that disasters can be a result of natural hazards, accidents, or terrorism.

In Texas we can be subjected to natural hazards such drought, fire, floods, hurricanes (directly and indirectly), ice storms, tornadoes, and disease epidemics such as Swine Flu.

Other disasters can be caused by accidents such as explosions equipment failure, hazardous material incidents, household chemical emergencies, and nuclear power plant emergencies.

Terrorism poses yet another type of disaster we should educate ourselves about.  According to the Department of Homeland Security, acts of terrorism include assassinations, bombings, cyber attacks, hijackings, kidnappings, threats of terrorism and the use of biological nuclear and radiological weapons.  No Community is immune from these types of attacks.

Please note the following contact information for resourceful assistance here in Texas:
Emergencies:         911 (www.911.state.tx.us);
Non-emergency:     211 (www.211.org);
TX Poison Control:  (800) 222-1222;
TX Dept. of State Health Services:  www.dshs.state.tx.us/comprep

To get more information about "Preparing for the Unexpected", please visit our website(s):
Texashelp.tamu.edu;
http://dallas-tx.tamu.edu; 
http://pvcep.pvamu.edu;or contact Marvin R. Young to schedule a presentation at 214-904-3050