The phrase “Halloween danger” usually brings to mind images of dark nights and threats of spoiled candies—but many parents are unaware of the real danger trick-or-treating may pose to their children: Kids are twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

Due to the nature of the holiday, pedestrian traffic is heavy and unpredictable, and many adults are celebrating away from home and then driving elsewhere, leading to more intoxication behind the wheel. In the five years from 2007 to 2011, 23 percent of pedestrian fatalities on Halloween night involved a drunk driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Coupled with the fact that parties and trick-or-treating usually kicks off at night, the fright in this holiday could be very real. To help keep your child safe, check out these tips from our Worldwide site (www.safekids.org) on how to celebrate Halloween with a safe and happy child:

Walk Safely

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks, and look both ways multiple times.
• Take pictures at home before trick-or-treating, and then leave the phone in your pocket. Parents and children need to be as alert as drivers.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths, or as far from the middle of the street as possible.
• Watch for cars that are turning into or backing up from driveways.

Trick or Treat With an Adult

• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit, and trick-or-treat in groups.

Keep Costumes Creative and Safe

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
• Avoid masks that obstruct a child’s vision, as well as costumes that could trip them up.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers. Glow sticks can be very low-cost, and may even be available in grocery or corner stores.

Drive Extra Safely on Halloween

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

The month of October marks the observance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month across the United States. Nearly 4,000 infants die suddenly and unexpectedly, each year, in the United States and most of these deaths result from Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SUID) and sleep-related causes, such as accidental suffocation.

The Safe to Sleep Campaign, an effort led by the National Institutes of Health to reduce the instances of SIDS/SUID through safe sleep environments, is coordinated in Georgia through the Georgia Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Injury Prevention Program. In observance of SIDS, Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, DPH is pleased to offer this toolkit.

This toolkit is designed to help community and faith-based organizations transform neighborhoods, engage communities, and promote safe infant sleep. There are a variety of activities and resources provided in this toolkit, so please don’t feel as if you need to do all of them. We invite you to explore the menu of options and decide which ones could work best for your organization.

What are the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations on safe infant sleep?

Click here for the full report.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Community and faith-based organizations have a unique and critical role to play in ending infant sleep-related death and addressing related issues surrounding new parent support. Parents learn many lessons about healthy living and well-being in faith and community-based settings that establish the foundation for their lifestyles as responsible and involved parents.

The goal of the Georgia Safe to Sleep Campaign, facilitated by DPH, is to educate parents, caregivers, and practitioners about ways to increase protection for infants against SIDS/SUID and help to end sleep-related causes of infant death.

Please consider joining the Safe to Sleep Campaign to address the barriers that prevent EVERY baby from enjoying safe sleep, for every sleep.

Every parent wants their children to grow up healthy and strong in the place where they deserve to feel safest: in their own homes. Unfortunately, houses are not inherently danger-free for kids. Two of the three leading causes for emergency room visits, falls and poisonings, occur primarily in the home. But there’s great news too! There are simple and easy steps that families can take to avoid a vast majority of these injuries. Here are simple tips that you can apply all over your home to keep you kids safe.

Preventing Falls

• Use approved safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs and attach them to the wall, if possible. Remember to read the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you have the right gate for your needs. Not all gates are safe for use at the top of stairs.
• Keep babies and young kids strapped in when using high chairs, swings or strollers. When placing your baby into a carrier, remember to place the carrier on the floor, not on top of tables or other furniture.

Poison Prevention

• Put the toll-free Poison Help Number into your phone in case of emergency: 1-800-222-1222.
• Store all household products and cleaning solutions out of children’s sight and reach. Young kids are often eye-level with items under the kitchen and bathroom sinks.
• Keep cleaning products in their original containers, and keep them clearly labeled. Even adults can make the mistake of mixing unlabeled solutions.
• Put all medicine and vitamins up and away and out of sight after every use.

Use the dosing device that comes with the medicine, not an inconsistent kitchen spoon!

Safety from Fire and Burns

• For the best protection, install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test batteries every six months.
• Keep anything that can catch fire, such as dish towels or wooden spoons, away from your stovetop. Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency, and make sure you know how it works.
• Blow candles out and turn appliances off when you leave the room or before you go to sleep.
• Don’t carry a child while cooking on the stove. It’s better to put your child in a high chair where you can still see them.
• Keep an eye on appliances such as irons, curling irons or hair dryers that can heat up quickly or stay warm. Unplug and safely store these items after use.

To prevent accidental scalding, set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or the manufacturer’s recommended setting. Check the water with your wrist or elbow before giving your baby a bath.

Sleep Safety

• Make sure babies sleep on their backs and in their own crib, bassinet or play yard. Room sharing is a safer option than having your baby sleep in bed with you. If you want to bond with your baby, try breastfeeding or singing to your baby instead of sharing a bed!
• Choose a firm mattress covered with a tight-fitting crib sheet for your baby’s crib. Avoid using soft bedding, pillows, stuffed animals and bumpers in the crib. Opt for sleeping sacks instead of blankets for a cozy night!

Water Safety

• Actively supervise children in and around water. Once bath time is over, immediately drain the tub. Keep toilet lids closed and keep doors to bathrooms shut.
• Make sure home pools have four-sided fencing that’s at least 4 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates to prevent a child from wandering into the pool area unsupervised.
• Every child is different, so enroll children in swimming lessons when you feel they are ready. Teach young children from an early age not to go near or in water without an adult. Older children should swim with a partner, every time.

Other tips

• Make sure your home has a carbon monoxide alarm. For the best protection, install a carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas.
• Don’t use a grill, generator or camping stove inside your home, garage or near a window. Don’t use your oven or stovetop to heat your home.
• If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting. Don’t leave a car, SUV or motorcycle engine running inside a garage, even if the doors are open.
• Mount flat-panel TVs to the wall to prevent them from falling off stands. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that you have a secure fit.
• Use brackets, braces or wall straps to secure unstable or top-heavy furniture to the wall.
• Make sure upstairs windows stay locked and/or have protective latch

This week Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County and the Hall County Fire Marshal’s Office came together for a bike helmet giveaway as a result of a call that moved them to take action.

Some calls that Hall County firefighters respond to can have such a powerful effect on the men and women in uniform that they feel compelled to do something to make a difference. That was the case on Sept. 13 when units from Hall County Fire Station 15 responded to a bicycle accident involving a child who was not wearing a helmet. The child hit a tree and was flown to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for head trauma. “If that child was wearing a helmet, the result could have been completely different,” Hall County Fire Services Lt. John Tucker said. “Station 15 personnel were so affected by that call that they decided to put together a helmet giveaway to hopefully decrease the chances that something like this happens again.”

“According to Safe Kids’ website, universal helmet use among children ages 14 and under would prevent as many as 300 deaths per year and as many as 529,000 injuries,” Tucker said. “We want to do our part to make that statistic become a reality.” North Hall Community Center is located at 4175 Nopone Road in Gainesville. For more information, call 770-219-8095. Hall County Fire Services

Source: Hall County Government Facebook page

Over 50 children were fitted for helmets in the first half hour. Kim Martin of Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County deemed the event a success and was pleased to participate alongside the Hall County Fire Marshal’s Office.

photo credit: Gainesville Times

On the Road

Watch out for Distracted Drivers and Pedestrians

• Shopping center parking lots are busier during the holidays. Keep an eye out for distracted pedestrians and drivers who may not be paying attention to you, especially when backing out of parking spaces.

• For parents of teens, remind them to be extra alert during this holiday season, when conditions are more challenging even for experienced drivers.

• Make sure you are not distracted while driving. Commit to keeping your phone down. No text message or play list is worth the risk.

Make Sure Every Passenger has a Seat Belt, Car Seat or Booster Seat

• Remember to buckle up every ride, every time, whether it’s the long trip to visit family or around the block to the mall.

• When traveling in large groups, all riders in a vehicle need their own seat belt or car seat, even for short rides.

• Check your car seat before holiday travel. Seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so check it before you hit the road. Here’s a quick car seat checklist to help you out. It takes only 15 minutes. If you are having even the slightest trouble, questions or concerns, certified child passenger safety technicians are able to help or even double check your work. Find a Safe Kids car seat checkup event near you.

• Safety in the car goes beyond your little ones. Kids who have outgrown a forward-facing harness seat are not ready for a seat belt or front seat yet. They are safest in a booster seat that enables the adult seat belt to fit properly. Even when children have graduated from booster seats, they should remain in the back seat until they reach the age of 13.

Expect the Unexpected on the Road

• Have an Exit Strategy on the Road. So now the car is packed, the kids are in the right seat, the seats are installed properly, and you’re on the open road. Nothing can stop you now, right? Wrong. That’s when you hear that all too familiar “howl that means “I want food” or “Change my diaper.” When it happens, please don’t worry about making good time. Instead, get off at the next exit and find a safe area to feed or change your child.
• You never know when you have to stop abruptly, so keep hot foods, large gifts and anything that can become a projectile in the trunk.

• If you are headed to a party and plan to drink alcohol, designate a driver or use a car service to make sure you get home safely.

In the Home

Decorate Your Tree With Your Kids in Mind

• Kids are curious and will want to play with the ornaments on the tree, so you might as well prepare. Move the ornaments that are breakable or have metal hooks towards the top of the tree. That makes room at the bottom for the ones that are safer for young kids.

Water the Tree Regularly

• Natural trees look beautiful and smell great, but if they’re not watered regularly, needles can dry out and pose a potential fire hazard. Make sure your tree has plenty of water by checking it regularly.

Check the Lights

• Lights are one of the best parts of holiday decorating. Take a look at the ones on your tree and in and around your home for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets.

Blow Out Candles and Store Matches Out of Reach

• Keep holiday candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, and don’t forget to blow them out when you leave the room or before you go to sleep.
• Make a habit of placing matches and lighters in a safe place, out of children’s reach. Avoid novelty lighters or lighters that look like toys.

Keep Harmful Plants Out of Reach

• Plants can spruce up your holiday decorating, but keep those that may be poisonous out of reach of children or pets. This includes mistletoe berries, holly berry, and Jerusalem cherry.
• In a poison emergency, call the national Poison Control Center at 1- 800-222-1222.

Find the Perfect Toy for the Right Age

• Consider your child’s age when purchasing a toy or game this holiday season. It’s worth a second to read the instructions and warning labels to make sure the gift is just right.
• Before you’ve settled on the perfect toy, check to make sure there aren’t any small parts or other potential choking hazards.

Keep Button Batteries Away from Young Kids

• Keep a special eye on small pieces, including button batteries that may be included in electronic toys. While these kinds of games are great for older kids, they can pose a potential danger for younger, curious siblings.

Don’t Forget a Helmet for New Bikes or Other Toys

• If your child’s heart is set on a bike, skateboard or scooter this holiday season, be sure to include a helmet to keep them safe while they’re having fun.

Prevent Spills with Pot Handles

• Kids love to reach, so to prevent burns from hot holiday food or liquid spills, simply use the back burner of your stove and turn pot handles away from the edge.

Engage Older Kids in Cooking

• Teach older responsible kids how to cook safely. Teach them never to leave the kitchen while they’re using the stove or oven. Instruct older kids to use oven mitts or potholders to remove items from the oven or stove and teach them how to use a microwave safely.

If you would like a printable Holiday Safety Tip Sheet, please email Danna Thompson.

Who: Courtney Brittain and Savannah Young
Position: Interns, Safe Kids Georgia
Major: Both in Health Promotion
College: Both attending University of Georgia

Get to know Courtney Brittain…

I took an injury prevention class as an elective at UGA and was immediately hooked! It amazes me how many child deaths occur each year due to an injury that could have been prevented. I am excited to work with Safe Kid’s Georgia and CHOA to reduce injuries among children.

Today, Savannah and I went to a Safe Kids Forsyth Coalition Meeting that was held at the Public Safety Headquarters to discuss National TV Safety Day. National TV Safety day is February 6, 2016 in order to make sure homes are prepared for the big super bowl game. The goal is to keep kids safe from TV tip-overs.

Get to know Savannah Young…

I decided to major in Health Promotion at UGA in order to help prevent illness/ injury and improve health for entire communities and populations, rather than individuals.  In the Summer of 2014, I traveled to Indonesia to teach healthcare in a rural area, and I became inspired to work in pediatric and childhood health promotion and education. I took a course in injury prevention, and have absolutely loved learning and working in injury prevention ever since. Interning at Safe Kids this semester has been a wonderful opportunity so far, and I am learning so much about preventable childhood injury and death. We have so many exciting events coming up this semester, and I can’t wait to be a part of them.

At today’s Safe Kids Forsyth Coalition Meeting, we learned about the dangers of TV tipping, as 1 childhood death occurs every 3 weeks from improper furniture stacking and television mounting. These injuries and deaths can be prevented by taking the below safety precautions.  Enjoy Super Bowl Sunday Safely this year!

What they learned about TV tip-over safety in Forsyth County:

Properly place your old TV.

If you have a heavier, box-style TV, place it on a low, stable piece of furniture that is appropriate for the TV’s size and weight.

Secure your flat-panel TV.

Be sure our flat-panel TV is properly secured with a wall mount that has a safety certification by an independent laboratory (such as UL, CSA, ETL).     

Recycle your TV.

To find a location near your home that safely and responsibly recycles unwanted TVs, go to www.GreenerGadgets.org

Safe Kids Calls on Families to Conduct a TV Safety Check

• Check TVs
• Assess the stability of the TVs in your home.
• Remember, a curious, determined child can topple a TV.
• Children playing with friends or pets could knock a TV over.
• Other kids might be tempted to climb up to reach items placed on or near a TV, such as remote controls or candy.
• Secure TVs
• Mount flat screen TVs to the wall to reduce the risk of TVs toppling off stands.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you protect your wall and have a secure fit.
• If you have a large, heavy, old-style cathode ray tube (CRT) TV, place it on a low, stable piece of furniture.

Other Important Tips for Furniture

• Secure Furniture
• Use brackets, braces or wall straps to secure unstable or top-heavy furniture to the wall.
• Install stops on dresser drawers to prevent them from being pulled all the way out. Multiple open drawers can cause the weight to shift, making it easier for a dresser to fall.
• Rearrange Household Items
• Keep heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers.
• Avoid placing remote controls, food, toys or other items in places where kids might be tempted to climb up or reach for them.

Burns and Scalds

The smells coming from the kitchen stove can be hard for children resist. Here are a few tips to keep your child safe from potential burns in and out of the kitchen.

Facts

Fire and burn injuries are one of the leading causes of child injury deaths in the United States. In 2013, more than 126,035 children across the country, including more than 67,000 children 4 and under, were injured due to a fire or burn and treated in emergency rooms.

Tips

• Careful cooking- never leave food unattended on the stove, and always supervise or restrict children’s use of stoves, ovens, or microwaves. Do not carry or hold a child while cooking on the stove.
• Safe placement- keep hot food or liquids away from the edge of the counter. Use back burner of stove and turn pot handles away from edge.
• Be alarmed- install and maintain smoke alarms in your home and on every floor. Do monthly tests to make sure they are working properly
• Know the temperature- set water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. This prevents water in the home from getting too hot.

Many thanks to our new corporate partner and event sponsor, AAA!

The Safe Kids Georgia Leadership Conference is a wonderful opportunity to bring together our 30+ coalition coordinators and their guests from around the state to provide training/education and idea sharing. This year’s event, “Leaders in Prevention” was a tremendous success with over 60 attendees and a spectacular line-up of speakers and panelists.

The conference hosted a total of 18 speakers broken out in 7 sessions. Session topics covered volunteer recruitment, distracted driving, Safe Kids Worldwide updates, reporting technology and best practices, car seat safety and succession planning.

The venue for this year’s conference was the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel Conference Center. The event staff was most helpful to our group, attendees enjoyed all the snacks and raved about the accommodations.

We thought breaking it down into a four part series would be the best way to share all the amazing takeaways. This first part is a general summary, and forthcoming posts will include distracted driving, volunteer recruitment and retention then succession planning to close it out. Please feel free to comment or email us with questions!

2016 Speakers – Leaders in Prevention

Felix L. Verdigets, Ph.D. {Welcome}
Director, KPMG LLP

Dr. Verdigets serves as a Director in KPMG LLP, Management Consulting practice. His expertise centers on assisting clients with change management concerns in order to mitigate risk and attain sustainable benefits. As Director, he is responsible for leading the People and Change service line for the Southeast covering the Carolinas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Prior to this role, he held senior positions in the Disputes, Risk and Change Management areas at Navigant Consulting and Charles River Associates; two global professional services firms.  He possesses significant C-level experience in workforce transformation. In addition to large transformation projects, his experience also includes addressing change management, organizational development, talent management, communications, and culture and employee engagement.   He has served as Chairman of the Safe Kids Georgia Board of Directors for 3 years.

Steve Greenfield {Getting to Know You}
Founder/ CEO of Automotive Ventures, LLC

Mr. Greenfield is the Founder and CEO of Automotive Ventures, LLC a start-up in Atlanta, Georgia, focused on incubating and growing businesses that solve huge pain points in the automotive industry. Prior to running his own business, he was employed by AutoTrader.com as Vice President of Product Management and Business Development.  Mr. Greenfield was responsible for the online user experiences on website and mobile devices, advertising products for automotive manufacturers and dealers, as well as their advertising management platform.  He also managed AutoTrader.com’s initiatives that included the establishment and execution of their acquisition and partnership strategy. Before joining AutoTrader.com, he served as Manheim’s Director of International Development. His role was to develop opportunities for Manheim’s overseas investments, including new ventures in Dubai, Istanbul and Beijing.   Additionally, he has served as a member of the Safe Kids Georgia Board of Directors for 8 years.

William B. O’Neal, Sr. {Crucial Conversations}
O’Neal Training & Development, LLC

Mr. O’Neal is the author of The Young Man & The Mentor: Discovering 5 Essentials for Developing Greatness.   He is also a contributing author for the second edition of Nursing Management: Principles and Practice, a resource that provides an in-depth review of general and oncology nursing management principles to guide the practice and development of nurse managers involved with cancer care.  He wrote the chapter on “Creating a Culture of Greatness” which outlines best practices on how leaders can develop a results oriented service environment that meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Mr. O’Neal is also a high impact speaker and trainer with an inspiring message that focuses on the significance of living a life of purpose and achieving greatness through service to others.  Using his talents of speaking and behavioral training to inspire and develop organizational cultures where employees want to work, physicians want to practice, and patient families want to bring their love ones to have their healthcare needs met. With his unique blend of wisdom, humor, and enthusiasm, he consistently delivers presentations and training sessions that are inspirational, informational, and entertaining. His speeches are aimed at stimulating members of his audience to take action to develop their potential and unleash the greatness that is within.

Monica Garrett {All Hands on Deck – Volunteer & Recruitment}
Community Affairs Manager, LexisNexis

Currently the Director of Community Relations for LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Ms. Garrett has responsibility for the company’s philanthropic strategy, employee volunteer program, community partnerships and charitable contributions. She also manages Employee Resource Groups (ERGS), a Diversity & Inclusion initiative. ERGs are independent, voluntary networks of employees who share common interests. The groups help drive diversity initiatives, community involvement and promote career development through mentoring, workshops, leadership speakers and external networking.

Paige Pushkin {All Hands on Deck – Volunteer & Recruitment}
Senior Director, Corporate Development Boys and Girls Club

Ms. Pushkin has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector for the duration of her 20-year career.  Currently, she is the Senior Director of Corporate Development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. Her job is to raise corporate funds and provide oversight of the organization’s extensive volunteer program.  In many roles prior to this position, she has been responsible for volunteer management, recognizing the values and significant contributions they bring to an organization.

Renate Dugans {All Hands on Deck – Volunteer & Recruitment}
Public Affairs Specialist, State Farm Insurance

As Public Affairs Specialist for State Farm Insurance Company, Ms. Dugans manages State Farm’s strategic philanthropic budget and program implementation for the State Farm Atlanta Hub and Metro Atlanta. This involves managing State Farm partnerships with non-profit organizations, schools and governmental entities.

Currently, she manages over thirty community partnerships. While collaborating with local State Farm agents, internal departments and external organizations, Ms. Dugans strives to help build stronger, safer and better educated communities.

Pamela Fair {All Hands on Deck – Volunteer & Recruitment}
Safe Kids Georgia Coalition Consultant

Ms. Fair has nearly 30 years’ experience working in Public Health with an emphasis on Injury Prevention, Public Information, Media Relations, Risk Communication and Environmental Health. Since Safe Kids Columbus inception in 1998, Ms. Fair has served in the role of Coalition Coordinator until her retirement in 2015.  Her leadership acumen and ability to motivate and retain coalition members while performing the responsibilities of the Safe Kids Program, has been outstanding.  She recently began working with Safe Kids Georgia as a Coalition Consultant.

Garrett Townsend {Don’t let your eyes veer of the road}
Director, Public Affairs AAA

Mr. Townsend manages Public Affairs and Media Relations for Auto Club Group. AAA Georgia focuses on issues such as Traffic Safety, Legislative Affairs, Driver Education and Travel. He joined AAA in 1996 and has served in a myriad of roles throughout the years, but most recently as Director of Public Affairs. Prior to coming to AAA, Mr. Townsend worked in management within the Airlines Industry.

Russell H. Henk, P.E. {Don’t let your eyes veer of the road}
Program Manager & Senior Research Engineer, Teens in the Driver’s Seat

Mr. Henk has been a member of Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s (TTI) staff for 28 years, a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas for 22 years, and currently serves as a Program Manager and Senior Research Engineer in TTI’s Center for Transportation Safety. During Mr. Henk’s career with TTI, he has supervised and/or participated in over 100 research projects and technical studies. These technical activities have primarily been focused on transportation system operations, management and safety, with most of his recent projects being in the area young driver safety. He developed and currently serves as Program Director for an innovative peer-to-peer teen driver safety program called Teens in the Driver Seat, which is a cornerstone of the Youth Transportation Safety Program at TTI.  This program has reached over 750 high schools and 1 million teens in Texas.  Since deployment of this nationally-recognized, award-winning program started in Texas, teen fatalities have decreased 68 percent. The program has reached 38 states across the nation and has been recognized as a national best practice for safety for the past eight years in a row.

Kenneth Bain {Don’t let your eyes veer of the road}
Program Director, Cinema Drive

Mr. Bain first became interested in supporting youth through special entertainment experiences in schools.  By using the cinematographic tools, he learned many aspects of this business from his mentor; Ori Yardeni and developed expertise in conveying messages in a fun and interactive manner. He has spent the last several years disseminating innovative programming to many states such as North Carolina, California, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, and Idaho. In the last 3 years, the programs have supported youth in dealing with a range of challenging issues (e.g., drugs and alcohol, risky driving and entrepreneurship). Most recently, through his partnership with leaders from the Violence Prevention Initiative at Children’s HOP, he has focused attention on developing strategies to prevent peer bullying.

Sheel Pandya {Safe Kids Around the World}
Director of Global Network, Safe Kids Worldwide

Sheel Pandya has 15 years of experience working in domestic and international public health, health policy and health care law. She currently serves as the Director of the Global Network at Safe Kids Worldwide where she is responsible for providing professional expertise and technical assistance in establishing, growing and sustaining over 400 U.S. coalitions and more than 25 international partners across the globe. Prior to Safe Kids, Sheel served as the Associate Director of Public Policy at Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria where she led in the development of policy strategy plans and performed comprehensive research and analysis on key global health and Global Fund-related issues with the overarching goal of strengthening support for the Fund among U.S. policy makers, the Administration, and key advocacy partners. Sheel also previously worked at AARP for eight years, first as a policy research specialist, and later as an health care attorney. In the former role, she focused on Medicare and Medicaid policy; in the latter role, she prepared motions, legal memos and amicus curiae briefs on disability, prescription drugs, FDA preemption and drug patent issues. Sheel also served as a Technical Officer at the World Health Organization, where she focused on the development and execution of an international healthy aging advocacy campaign

Richard Douglass {Rock Star Reporting}
Safe Kids Georgia Board of Directors, Program Chair, IBM

Mr. Douglass is an industry consultant in the Analytics Business unit of IBM.   He has over 30 years of consulting experience in supply chain, ecommerce, marketing and customer analytics and solutions in a wide variety of industries. This would include chemicals, electronics, automotive, consumer products and retail.  Serving as a member on the Safe Kids Georgia Board of Directors for over 8 year and for the last five, as Program Chair, Mr. Douglas has provided metrics and reporting opportunities.

Rick Rose {Rock Star Reporting}
Senior Product Architect, TechBridge

Mr. Rose is a Senior Product Architect with TechBridge, a non-profit that drives community impact by bringing affordable technology & business expertise to other nonprofits at a reduced cost. Rick has 12 years of experience serving hundreds of non-profits throughout the United States on web solutions, and currently focuses on architecting and deploying solutions on the Salesforce.com platform.

Viva Price {Rock Star Reporting}
Injury Prevention Program manager/ Coalition Coordinator, Safe Kids Cobb

Ms. Price is the Injury Prevention Program Manager for Cobb and Douglas Public Health and Co-Coordinator for Safe Kids Cobb County Coalition.   Viva was employed before this position by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as the Greater Boston Region Care Coordinator for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs. When coming to Atlanta she embraced and served the community child abuse prevention initiative for Department of Family and Children Services for Cobb and Fulton Counties.   After working in Social Services for 5 years, she was passionate about educating her community over preventing unintentional injuries rather than providing continuous interventions. Viva has worked in the field of Public Health for 5 years.

Andrea Pope {Protect your Precious Cargo}
Brand Manager, Graco Children’s Products

Ms. Pope is the new Brand Manager for Graco Booster seats, including Harness and Belt-Positioning Boosters. An employee for two years at Newell Rubbermaid she has previously served as an Associate Brand Manager on the Writing Activation team, working on Sharpie and Expo.  Prior to joining Newell, Ms. Pope also served on the agency side; developing shopper marketing strategy and programs for Unilever and S.C. Johnson.

William Conway {Protect your Precious Cargo}
Principal Engineer- Car Seats, Graco Children’s Products

Mr. Conway is the Principal Product Development Engineer for Graco Children’s Products, a division of Newell Rubbermaid.  Working in this capacity for 5 years, he has been responsible for part of engineering, developing, testing and launching numerous Graco car seats including the Contender 65, the Size4Me 65 and the Tubobooster with Safety Surround.  Prior to working at Graco, he served similar roles in the medical device industry and consumer products industry.

Mary Bear Hughes {Leaving Your Legacy – Succession Planning}
Senior Consultant, Non-Profit Resource Center

Ms. Hughes’ consulting expertise includes executive succession planning, transition, and search, board development and governance, and organizational development. Her 30 years of experience includes consulting and operational roles in the private and nonprofit sectors including leadership as an Executive Director and a board chair. Mary speaks, writes and conducts workshops in her areas of expertise. Prior to joining the Georgia Center for Nonprofits in 2012, Mary was a principal of Bear, Corbett, Woodward & Moore, where she focused exclusively on nonprofit clients. Previously she was a partner with Heidrick & Struggles International, a global executive search firm where Mary specialized in CEO and other C-level searches in financial services. Previously Mary held finance and operations roles in the nonprofit sector, as well as financial accounting and analysis positions in the private sector. Clients seek her assistance in times of transition. All work is focused around achieving a strategic plan, whether the assignment is board governance, succession planning, search or operational excellence. Mary uses proven models and introduces tailored practices with teams and individuals to foster creativity and accountability. Mary received a BS in international business from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and she speaks conversational French. She is a passionate golfer, despite her scores, and loves being outdoors. She and her husband enjoy travel, especially to see grandchildren.

More about our speakers…

Teens in the Driver Seat
Started in 2002, Teens in the Driver Seat^® is the first peer-to-peer program for teens that focuses solely on traffic safety and addresses all major risks for this age group. Teens help shape the program and are responsible for implementing it and educating their peers and parents; Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) provides the science, guidance and project resources. Teens in the Driver Seat^® is available to high schools in California, Georgia, Nebraska, and Texas and we are currently looking for schools in other states to apply to begin the program. Additionally, the junior high school program is available in Texas and Georgia. In Texas, the number of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes has dropped nearly 70 percent and is the only state where fatal crashes involving teen drivers has decreased every year since 2002. Teens in the Driver Seat^® program surveys show risk awareness levels increasing by up to 200 percent. Cell phone use at Teens in the Driver Seat^® program schools has been shown to drop by 30 percent, and seat belt use has gone up by over 14 percent. A rigorous 20-county control group analysis for Texas indicates the program results in an average decrease of 14.6 percent in injury and fatal crashes (total) where the program has been sustained for three or more years. Almost 1,000 schools now have implemented the Teens in the Driver Seat^® program, reaching nearly one million teens. The program has also been deployed in 35 states states outside Texas. Because of the positive results shown in numerous studies, TDS has won over 20 awards (including six national awards) and has been recognized as a national best-practice model four times by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Governors Highway Safety Association, and the National Safety Council. Learn more about Teens in the Driver Seat …

Cinema Drive
Cinema Drive targets high school students during their first years of driving vehicles before or after getting their drivers’ licenses. “Cinema Drive” features several distinctive multimedia segments that focus on critical driving and human factors- speeding, distracted driving and texting, driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs, peer pressure, seat belts, and tiredness. The desired goals of “Cinema Drive” are to provide high school drivers with useful knowledge to change any undesirable habits of driving, and to inspire behavioral shifts among their peers, friends and families. Learn more about Cinema Drive…

AAA
AAA was founded over 100 years ago for the purpose of lobbying for driver and passenger rights, fair laws and safer vehicles — all to better promote the love of the open road and the adventure of driving. Since then, AAA has grown to over 50 million members strong, while providing valuable membership services such as roadside assistance. Additionally, AAA has broadened its horizons to include all types of travel-related services, as well as offer a variety of insurance and financial products and services.

Today’s AAA is a national federation comprised of more than 50 individual clubs throughout the United States and Canada. Whether you’re traveling around the world or to the corner grocery store, planning a honeymoon or weekend road trip, learning to drive or in need of a battery boost, the best way to begin your journey is with AAA. Learn more about AAA…

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, take a moment to learn more about how to prevent a brain injury to yourself or someone you care about.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of such an injury may range from “mild,” i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe,” i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. A TBI can result in short or long-term problems with independent function.

Did you Know?

• Traumatic brain Injury (also referred to as TBI) is the leading cause of disability and death in adults and children 1-44
• They most often result from motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, falls on the playground, at work or at home
• Currently, 2% of the U.S. population lives with a disability as a result of a traumatic brain injury
• Males are 2x more likely than females to have a TBI
• African Americans have the highest death rates from TBIs
• TBIs can change the way people process emotions, way of thinking, and language communication
• TBI’s can be reduced through use of helmets, education, and safety measures!

Prevention is Key

Follow these tips to reduce the risk of brain injury:

• Seat belts and airbags. Always wear a seat belt in a motor vehicle. A small child should always sit in the back seat of a car and be secured in child safety seats or booster seats that are appropriate for his or her size and weight.
• Alcohol and drug use. Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications that can impair the ability to drive.
• Helmets. Wear a helmet while riding a bicycle, skateboard, motorcycle, snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle. Also wear appropriate head protection when playing baseball or contact sports, skiing, skating, snowboarding, or riding a horse.

The following tips can help younger children avoid head injuries:

• Install safety gates at the top of a stairway
• Keep stairs clear of clutter
• Install window guards to prevent falls
• Put a nonslip mat in the bathtub or shower
• Use playgrounds that have shock-absorbing materials on the ground
• Make sure area rugs are secure
• Don’t let children play on fire escapes or balconies
• More sport safety prevention tips HERE…

Personal Story

“I hope my story will help raise awareness about the dangers of concussions and educate other young athletes so that they know what to look out for.”

My name is Steve Oswald and I’m from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Two years ago, when I was a junior in high school, I got a concussion while playing baseball.

I’ve loved baseball ever since I was a little kid. I will always remember my first experience hitting and throwing a baseball at the park with my dad. From the time I was 5 years old, I played on an organized tee ball team and became hooked. The only thing I ever thought about was baseball. I would practice almost every single day.

One day I remember going out back to practice my swing. I couldn’t find any baseballs lying around so I thought the next best thing would be a metal fence post. I took my brand new bat and swung it as hard as I could at that fence, not knowing that it was an absolutely awful idea. At my next game my dad asked me, “Stephen, why are there so many dents in your bat?” and I innocently replied, “I was practicing my hitting, aren’t you proud of me?” He could only look at me and laugh. I’ve played baseball ever since – 13 years and counting. Some of my best memories involve baseball. But one day that all changed.

It was the last practice of the season during my junior year and the last occasion for my team to be on the field until spring, so I was really excited and giving it my all. Our coach split us up into two separate teams and we scrimmaged each other with live pitching, throwing, running, and hitting. Tracking down long fly balls and throwing people out at the bases is what I love to do. And that day, I was in the perfect position for it; I was playing right field.

All we needed was one more out to finish the game. I knew that if the ball was hit anywhere near me, I had to catch it. The pitcher wound up and threw the pitch, the batter swung and I watched a high, lazy floater coming in my direction.  I sprinted as fast as I could to the ball and I knew that I was going to catch it, but what I didn’t know is that my teammate was thinking the same thing. He was playing second base at the time so the ball was bound to land between us. I sprinted, dove for the ball and felt it hit my glove. A split second later, I heard an indescribable sound that I will never forget.

My teammate’s knee struck me in the face – hard – just under my left eye. All I can remember from the impact is an intense pain. I rolled on the ground and noticed people gathering all around me. My head was pounding, my nose was bleeding, my face was aching, and I had a sick feeling in my stomach. I was not in good shape.

My coach called my mom and we left immediately for the hospital, where I had a series of x-rays taken. The doctor said I sustained multiple fractures in my face and that I needed surgery to fix it. The doctor also said I might have a concussion, but at the time, we didn’t think much of it, because we were trying to focus on healing my face.

Two days later, I was back in the hospital in the operating room where a surgeon inserted three metal plates and 16 titanium screws in my face that I can feel under my skin to this day. I had regular check-ups with the ear, nose and throat doctor to make sure that everything was going smoothly and there were no complications. The swelling and bruising went down after a month and I was making great progress.

When I went back to school after two weeks of recovery, I had a great deal of work to catch up on. All through high school, I was a straight-A student. But that fall semester, I was really struggling. I had trouble paying attention in class. When I’d try to read or write, I’d feel this intense pain in my forehead.

I didn’t notice it at first but I found it even harder to concentrate on my work than I did before the injury.  I couldn’t read more than one sentence in a textbook without losing my place or forgetting what I had just read. Copying notes from a presentation or from the white board was one of the most difficult tasks.

Every day after school I would be so exhausted from my classes that I would nap for at least two hours. I just wasn’t myself and I couldn’t figure out why. It was frustrating because I knew that I could do better and I was disappointed in myself.

In December, as part of training for the baseball team, I took a course about concussions sponsored by Safe Kids Worldwide. It was facilitated by our athletic trainer and a health professional from the community. As I listened to the trainer describe the signs and symptoms of a concussion a light bulb went off in my head.

Headaches? Check.

Nausea? Check.

Tired and sleeping too much? Check.

Difficulty concentrating? Check.

That was me. Listening to trainer, I realized in that moment that I had a concussion.

My concussion was inhibiting me from working to my full potential and being the best I could be. I was so upset because my schoolwork is important to me and I wasn’t sure how long the concussion effects were going to last.

Together with my parents, the school athletic trainer, the school counselor and a neurologist, we developed a detailed program to treat my concussion. Slowly, I started back on the road to better grades, normal life and baseball. By spring, I recovered well enough to return to baseball. It felt amazing to be back on the field again. And this year, I started college at Penn State University, where I am working hard and am symptom free.

Since my injury, I tell my story to as many people as possible. I hope it will help raise awareness about the dangers of concussions and educate other young athletes so that they know what to look out for. Most of all, I hope my experience can prevent other people from suffering the same thing I did.

Sources: Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute// BrainLine.org//Mayo Clinic

This session was moderated by Emma Harrington, Injury Prevention Director at Sheperd Center.
Panelists included:
Garrett Townsend, Director, Public Affairs, AAA
Russell H. Henk, P.E. Program Manager & Senior Research Engineer, “Teens In the Driver’s Seat”
Kenneth Bain, Program Director, Cinema Drive

Garrett Townsend of AAA gave the audience a lot of good information about motor vehicle laws currently in Georgia and statistics around accidents and fatalities, such as the fact that 6 out of 10 teen crashes involve driver distraction! He closed with the Five E’s of Traffic Safety: Education, Enforcement, Engineering, Evaluation and Encouragement.

All the way from Texas, Russell Henk of Teens in the Driver’s Seat shared about the foundations of their program and successes they’ve seen in teen driving behavior before and after the course. It’s the first peer-to-peer program for teens that focuses solely on traffic safety and addresses all major risks for this age group. The program has seen much as a 33% improvement in teen driving behavior across some of the risk behaviors they focus on. Here’s a video from Cy Falls High School in Houston, TX talking about the program’s impact at their school:

Lastly, the audience was privy to an interactive 3-D video by Kenneth Bain of Cinema Drive. The multisensory video showed a real life experience about the consequences of drinking and driving, along with the science of what alcohol does to the body.

It was a well-rounded, informative session. The audience evaluations said it all! Learn more about each of these organizations below.

Teens in the Driver Seat:

Started in 2002, Teens in the Driver Seat^® is the first peer-to-peer program for teens that focuses solely on traffic safety and addresses all major risks for this age group. Teens help shape the program and are responsible for implementing it and educating their peers and parents; Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) provides the science, guidance and project resources. Teens in the Driver Seat^® is available to high schools in California, Georgia, Nebraska, and Texas and we are currently looking for schools in other states to apply to begin the program. http://www.t-driver.com/

Cinema Drive:

Cinema Drive targets high school students during their first years of driving vehicles before or after getting their drivers’ licenses. “Cinema Drive” features several distinctive multimedia segments that focus on critical driving and human factors- speeding, distracted driving and texting, driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs, peer pressure, seat belts, and tiredness. The desired goals of “Cinema Drive” are to provide high school drivers with useful knowledge to change any undesirable habits of driving, and to inspire behavioral shifts among their peers, friends and families.
http://www.mobilecinemapark.com/cinemadrive.html

AAA

AAA was founded over 100 years ago for the purpose of lobbying for driver and passenger rights, fair laws and safer vehicles — all to better promote the love of the open road and the adventure of driving. Since then, AAA has grown to over 50 million members strong, while providing valuable membership services such as roadside assistance. Additionally, AAA has broadened its horizons to include all types of travel-related services, as well as offer a variety of insurance and financial products and services.

Today’s AAA is a national federation comprised of more than 50 individual clubs throughout the United States and Canada. Whether you’re traveling around the world or to the corner grocery store, planning a honeymoon or weekend road trip, learning to drive or in need of a battery boost, the best way to begin your journey is with AAA. http://autoclubsouth.aaa.com/

Leading pediatric hospital and design organizations come together to increase public awareness of child well-being and safety through an interactive children’s playroom design.

ATLANTA, GA- Two leaders in children’s health care, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and SafeKids Georgia, have joined forces with Southface and Rabaut Design Associates to increase awareness of child safety, health and well-being in the home at the 2016 Southeastern Designer Showhouse & Gardens. They are approaching this endeavor by designing a kid’s activity room to demonstrate important safety and health aspects to be considered when building and designing a home.

Relevant Statistics

• Preventable Injuries are the No. #1 cause of death of children ages one to 19, affecting one million children around the world each year. (safekidsgeorgia.org)
• Two of the three leading causes for emergency department visits occur in the home. (cdc.gov)
• One in 10 children ages 19 and under will be seen in an emergency department for a non-fatal unintentional injury. (cdc.gov)
• Indoor air levels of many pollutants may be 2-5 times higher indoors than outdoor levels. Indoor air pollutants are of particular concern considering people spend as much as 90% of their lives indoors (epa.gov)
• The characteristics and quality of housing directly affect people’s physical and mental health. For example, a home that is cold and damp or has allergens may cause respiratory illnesses and asthma in the residents. (human.cornell.edu)

“The goal for this project is to increase awareness of how built environments impact health and holistic wellbeing,” says Bonnie Cassamassima, of Southface. “Our focus with this room was to answer the question, ’How can research-driven design promote well-being while being inspirational?’” says Jo Rabaut of Rabaut Design Associates.

The playroom, created by Atlanta interior design firm Rabaut Design Associates, is called “Hope and Will’s Room,” a nod to the familiar mascots of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Hope and Will represent a hopeful attitude and the strong will in patients, inspiring them every day to be curious, brave and playful.

“Hope and Will’s Room,” located on the terrace level, is the result of thoughtful collaboration between Rabaut Design Associates and Southface, a leading nonprofit headquartered in Atlanta since 1978. Rabaut and Southface accomplish their goal of increasing public awareness on the impact our buildings have on our wellbeing by implementing evidence-based design standards such as biophilic design for improved health, and by specifying no- to low-VOC and Red List Free items to minimize exposure to harsh chemicals.

Thousands are estimated to tour the Southeastern Designer Showhouse & Gardens, located in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood, April 23 through May 15, 2016. Showhouse funds will benefit Safe Kids Georgia, the injury prevention outreach arm of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The media has garnered increased attention on lead risks in schools. Now is the time to continue the discussion on well-being and safety of our children in the home.

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AAA PROMise is a program offered by the Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation to protect teens and everyone else on the roadways during prom and graduation season. Safe Kids Georgia assisted AAA in bringing the education to students at Sprayberry High School in Cobb County this week in anticipation of prom night on Saturday. The t
eens used a driving simulator and when an infraction was incurred, they were given a walk and turn field sobriety test while wearing “drunk goggles.” Lastly, we talked with the teens one-on-one.  Almost every teen signed the AAA PROMise committing to making the right decision when it comes to underage drinking, drugs and impaired driving.

Ghost Out is a program specifically designed to target high school students and to spread the awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, using drugs and driving, obeying the speed laws, and wearing seatbelts. This program is presented during prom and graduation season. Safe Kids Georgia supports this program because traffic crashes are the number one killer of teens and over one third of teen traffic deaths are alcohol-related nationwide. (NHTSA) The Ghost Out Program helps to experience the seriousness and finality of such a traumatic event.

The DeKalb County Fire Rescue’s Public Education Unit carried out a two day, Ghost Out event at the Dunwoody High School on April 25^thand April 26^th. The first day facts concerning alcohol and drug related crashes were read during school announcements. The next day, a guest dressed as the Grim Reaper stalked the hallways of the school and selected 12 “victims”. These “victims” represented the average number of people killed in alcohol or drug related crashes during a school day and are declared dead. Two students who were guilty of DUI were arrested from their classrooms by a police officer. The climax was an assembly during the last hour of school at which guest speakers address the dangers of driving while impaired. A memorial service was conducted for the 12 “victims” selected by the Grim Reaper. The effects of losing a loved one or friend to a vehicle fatality cause grief and anguish. The intent of this experience was to help the teens understand the dreadful consequences resulting from impaired driving and to give them the information that will help them in future decision making prior to motor vehicle operations.

As part of a grant received from the Atlanta Braves Foundation, Safe Kids Georgia coalitions recently held bike rodeos in order to educate local children and families on bike and helmet safety. The children learn the importance of wearing a bike helmet and why it’s critical to use it properly, then many of them got to take a new helmet home!

Safe Kids Cherokee County and Homer teaching bike safety

Homer visits Safe Kids Cherokee

Safe Kids Lowndes County Bike Rodeo – educating and distributing helmets from the Atlanta Braves Foundation

Safe Kids Georgia was proud to stand by Governor Nathan Deal, First Lady Sandra Deal and DECAL Commissioner, Amy Jacobs to remind parents, caregivers, and the public about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. On the steps of the Georgia State Capitol, Governor Deal said, “If you see a child in a closed vehicle by themselves, call 911 immediately.” Watch the full video of the kickoff here:

Since 2010, eleven children in Georgia have died of heatstroke when left unattended in vehicles. The “Look Again” campaign is a call for families and caregivers to have heightened awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles as temperatures rise in Georgia and all over the country.

Learn more about the campaign below and by visiting www.decal.ga.gov.

Safe Kids Georgia reminds parents to keep an eye out and avoid preventable injuries during the summer

The summer is one of the most exciting times of the year for your kids, but it’s also a time when kids can be at risk for injuries. That’s why Safe Kids Georgia is encouraging all parents and caregivers to be prepared with simple safety tips this summer season.

Risks of swimming tragedies increase in the summer. Two-thirds of drowning deaths occur in the summer, between May and August, and most commonly on the weekends.

“The summer is a great time to connect with family and friends and spend time outdoors, hanging out by the pool or grilling out at a barbeque,” said Beverly Losman, Safe Kids Georgia Director. “But with all these activities come safety risks that we may not always think about. By reminding ourselves of a few safety tips, the summer can be safer and fun for everyone.”

Safe Kids Georgia recommends the following top tips to stay safe during the summer.

Give kids your undivided attention. Actively supervise children throughout the summer, whether it’s at the playground or in and around water. Small children can drown in as little as one inch of water.

Use the Water Watcher strategy. When there are several adults present and children are swimming, use the Water Watcher card strategy to designate an adult as the Water Watcher for a certain amount of time (such as 15-minute periods) to prevent lapses in supervision and give parents a chance to read, make phone calls or take a bathroom break.

Educated your children about swimming safety. Every child is different, so enroll children in swimming lessons when you feel they are ready. Whether swimming in a backyard pool or in a lake, teach children to swim with an adult. Older, more experienced swimmers should still swim with a partner every time.

Learn CPR. We know you have a million things to do, but learning CPR should be at the top of the list. It will give you tremendous peace of mind – and the more peace of mind you have as a parent, the better.

Be extra careful around pool drains. Teach children to never play or swim near drains or suction outlets, which can cause situations where kids can get stuck underwater.

Wear life jackets. Always have your children wear a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard while on boats, around open bodies of water or when participating in water sports. Make sure the life jacket fits snugly. Have the child make a “touchdown” signal by raising both arms straight up; if the life jacket hits the child’s chin or ears, it may be too big or the straps may be too loose.

Drink water during sports. Have your kids bring a water bottle to practice and games and drink plenty of water before, during and after play. This is especially important in summer months to avoid dehydration.

Set up your grill with safety in mind. Use long-handled grilling tools and position your grill well away from siding, deck railings and overhanging branches, while keeping a safe distance from play areas and foot traffic. Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below the grill so it cannot be ignited by heat.

Never leave your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. It can be tempting to leave a child alone in a car while you quickly run into a store, but it can cause serious injury or even death in a matter of minutes. Reduce the number of deaths from heatstroke by remembering to ACT – avoid heatstroke, create reminders, and take action if you see a child left alone. #LOOKAGAIN

Wear a helmet for biking and other wheeled sports. We have a simple saying: “Use your head, wear a helmet.” It is the single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bike crashes. Kids should wear a helmet when riding a scooter, skating, skateboarding or biking.

The Fourth of July is a time for celebration across the country, and fireworks are a crowd favorite each year. Safe Kids Georgia reminds parents that while fireworks can be fun to watch, they also can be dangerous, especially around kids, so whenever possible, leave the firework displays to the professionals.

Fireworks, including sparklers and flares, can cause serious burns as well as blast injuries that can permanently impair vision and hearing. In 2013, an estimated 649 children ages 19 and under had injuries involving fireworks that resulted in trips to the emergency room.

“Children account for 50 percent of the estimated fireworks injuries,” said Laura Coleman, Safe Kids Georgia Operations Coordinator. “The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch them at a community event where professionals handle them. If you plan to use fireworks, there are precautions you can take such as having a bucket of water and a fire extinguisher nearby to keep everyone as safe as possible.”

Safe Kids Georgia recommends the following top tips to keep kids safe around fireworks.

Where permitted by law, fireworks should be handled and used in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and all warning labels. Safe Kids urges families to enjoy public fireworks displays instead of attempting to use fireworks at home.

Download a full fire safety checklist!

Last week Safe Kids Georgia hosted two workshops in partnership with Teens in Driver Seat (TDS), based in Texas. In an effort to reach coordinators across the state, one workshop was held at the Macon Health Department and the other at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta offices.

Teens in the Driver Seat is an award-winning peer-to-peer program for high school and junior high aged youth. Car crashes kill more young people than any other cause, accounting for nearly half of all teen deaths in America each year. About 2,800 U.S. teens die each year in car crashes; that’s the equivalent of a school bus loaded with teenagers crashing once every week for an entire year.

This year, Safe Kids Georgia and Teens in the Driver Seat plan to introduce or continue this program in at least 60 schools throughout the state of Georgia. With the help of our statewide coalition coordinators, more teens will have access to materials and resources to educate their peers about risk behaviors among young drivers. Teens help shape the program and are responsible for implementing it and educating their peers and parents.

The most common causes of teen driving crashes are the ones that young drivers (and their parents) know the least about. Combined with a lack of driving experience, the top five dangers are:

• Driving at night
• Speeding and street racing
• Distractions, such as cell phones/texting and too many teen passengers
• Low seat belt use
• Alcohol and drug use

Most teens and parents are unaware of the driving restrictions imposed on them by the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws. At the core of this initiative is getting teens involved so they can take care, and educate one another.

Teens in the Driver Seat Cup and Outstanding School Contest

The premise is simple. Conduct activities and messaging throughout the year, report them and get points! You can collect points for all sorts of things, from the easy things like posting photos to our social media pages, entering the Driving the Message Contest, and holding team meetings, to bigger activities like participating in community-wide events or applying and being selected for the Teen Advisory Board. Turning in school surveys will get you the most points!

If you don’t win cash, you can still earn Outstanding School status by earning a certain number of points.
Learn more!

If you  or your organization would like to learn more about this partnership, please contact Danna Thompson at dannam.thompson@choa.org or 404-579-0497. It isn’t only schools that are eligible to participate, youth organization can as well.

Since 2009, Digital Insurance has raised more than $275,000 through the Digital Dash that benefited Safe Kids Georgia and its lead organization, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Please consider showing your support by joining us in the lovely Marietta Square for this Peachtree Road Race-qualifying event. And after the race, stay for music, snacks, prizes and more! To those that like to walk, we encourage your participation as well.

Digital Insurance presents the 8th Annual Digital Dash supporting Bert’s Big Adventure and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
August 27th, Marietta Square

www.digitaldash5k.com

REGISTER ONLINE

Safe Kids Georgia had a gaggle of walkers and runners at the 8th Annual Digital Dash! Our group included  Safe Kids Georgia staff, Safe Kids Coordinators from local coalitions, Safe Kids Georgia board members, former interns and friends. In fact, two former SKG interns placed 1st and 2nd in their age group – congratulations to Mary Lauren and Savannah! A sincere thank you to all those that came out.